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Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

As a forward-thinking company, we're breaking new ground in software innovation too, redefining what's possible for our customers worldwide. An Engineering Manager, who will help to drive innovation ...

As an Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in shaping our solutions, leading a team to build scalable, intuitive software that empowers property managers and residents alike. This is an ...

CO

$167K - $209K/yr

As an Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in shaping our solutions, leading a team to build scalable, intuitive software that empowers property managers and residents alike. This is an ...

Engineering Manager

Aurora, CO · On-site

$98K - $206K/yr

This role is designed for an experienced people manager with strong technical background in one of the following: software engineering, AI/ML, systems engineering, or DevSecOps. You will be ...

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Software Engineering Manager information

See Colorado salary details

$104.6K

$178.1K

$210.8K

How much do software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineering manager in Colorado is $178,107.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $181,900.00 and $181,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In software engineering, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of developer seniority or experience, with L1 being entry-level and L4 representing senior or lead roles. These levels often indicate increasing technical skills, responsibility, and leadership expectations within a company’s engineering hierarchy.

How much do software engineer managers make?

Software engineering managers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $120,000 to $180,000, depending on experience, location, and company size. They often oversee teams, coordinate projects, and require strong technical and leadership skills, with some roles offering additional bonuses or stock options.

What are some common challenges faced by Software Engineering Managers when leading diverse development teams?

Software Engineering Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing technical leadership with people management, aligning team members with different backgrounds and skill sets, and ensuring effective communication across remote or cross-functional teams. Navigating these challenges involves fostering an inclusive environment, setting clear expectations, and adapting management styles to individual team members’ needs. Successful managers also prioritize regular check-ins and feedback to keep projects on track and support professional growth within the team.

What Does a Software Engineering Manager Do?

A software engineering manager oversees a team of people who are working on the development of new computer software or the enhancement of existing computer programs. Because this is a management job, your duties may include coordinating and planning with other departments within the company and with company executives. In addition to management skills, you need a firm understanding of the technical aspects of software engineering. Another aspect of this career involves understanding the market and competitor’s products so that your software can compete and meet market demands.

What is the difference between Software Engineering Manager vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware Engineering ManagerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or higher in CS or related field
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, collaborates with stakeholdersFocuses on coding, debugging, and implementing features
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, and large enterprisesCommon in all software development settings
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesFocus on technical skills, coding tasks

The main difference between a Software Engineering Manager and a Software Developer lies in their roles and responsibilities. Managers oversee teams, coordinate projects, and handle strategic planning, while developers focus on coding and technical implementation. Both roles are essential in the software development lifecycle, but they serve different functions within an organization.

What does a Software Engineering Manager do?

A Software Engineering Manager oversees a team of software engineers, guiding the development of software projects from planning to implementation. They are responsible for managing the team's workflow, ensuring high-quality code, and meeting project deadlines. In addition to technical leadership, they also handle hiring, mentoring, and performance reviews. Their role bridges the gap between technical execution and business objectives, ensuring that software solutions align with strategic goals.

What does a software engineer manager do?

A software engineering manager oversees software development teams, coordinates project planning, sets technical goals, and ensures timely delivery of software products. They also handle team management, performance evaluations, and collaborate with stakeholders to align technical efforts with business objectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Software Engineering Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in software development, team leadership, and project management, often backed by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with development tools, agile methodologies, version control systems, and, in some cases, certifications like PMP or Scrum Master are valuable. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and mentoring skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for successfully guiding technical teams, delivering projects efficiently, and fostering a collaborative and innovative engineering culture.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior software engineering managers and highly experienced software engineers at large tech companies can earn $500,000 or more annually, often including base salary, bonuses, and stock options. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and expertise in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, or system architecture.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineering jobs in Colorado? The most popular types of Software Engineering jobs in Colorado are:
What are popular job titles related to Software Engineering Manager jobs in Colorado? For Software Engineering Manager jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Software Engineering Manager jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Software Engineering Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Engineering Manager job openings in Colorado as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $178,107 per year, or $85.6 per hour.

Staff Software Engineering Manager (TS/SCI) {S}

ARKA Group

Aurora, CO • On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

ARKA Group L.P. ("ARKA") is an advanced technologies company serving the U.S. military, intelligence community, and commercial space industry delivering next-generation solutions to support the national security space enterprise. Built on more than six decades of excellence, ARKA brings modern approaches and a culture of innovation to the challenges of today.
Join the ARKA team to learn how Beyond Begins Here. Discover your next career opportunity now!
Position Overview:
This position is for a Staff Software Engineering Manager. ARKA-Mission Applications is seeking a talented and motivated Software Engineering Manager to join our growing team. This is a unique player/coach role designed for an experienced software engineer who is passionate about both building great software and leading people. You will be responsible for managing and mentoring a team of skilled software engineers while also actively contributing technically to the design, development, testing, and deployment of our software products. You'll split your time effectively between guiding your team's success and rolling up your sleeves to write code, solve complex technical challenges, and contribute directly to our software ecosystem.
We offer generous relocation benefits for eligible candidates.
In support of work/life balance, many positions are available for a flexible schedule within the pay period. Ask us about the opportunity for flex scheduling if that's of interest to you.
Responsibilities:
Management & Leadership (Approx. 25% on average):
  • Lead & Mentor: Manage, coach, and mentor a team of software engineers, fostering their technical and professional growth, by providing career advice and helping with program technical guidance. Additionally, you will work with the greater software engineering group to cultivate a positive, collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team that is focused on bringing modern software development mechanism to all ARKA programs
  • Performance Management: Conduct regular 1:1 bi-weekly meetings with your team, provide feedback on both technical and non-technical topics, assist with setting clear goals, and manage performance reviews for your direct reports
  • Collaboration: Work closely with software engineering organization and other engineering program teams to align priorities, define requirements, and ensure successful project delivery across programs
  • Project Oversight: Help manage project priorities, timelines, and deliverables for your team, identifying and removing roadblocks
  • Hiring & Onboarding: Participate in the recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of engineering talent for your team and the broader organization Additionally works closely with engineering leadership to align current and new staff skillsets with program needs over time

Technical Contribution (Approx. 75% on average):
  • Hands-on Development: Actively participate in the software development lifecycle, contributing high-quality, well-tested, and maintainable code to key projects using our tech stack up to and including
    • Proven proficiency in one or more modern programming language such as Python, Java, C#, Go
    • Experience with the development and deployment of software applications to cloud environments such as AWS including the integration with managed services provided by the cloud provider
  • Technical Design & Architecture: Contribute to technical design discussions, architectural decisions, and long-term technical strategy
  • Code Quality: Participate actively in code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards, best practices, and high-quality engineering principles
  • Stay Current and Mentor: Keep abreast of modern technologies, tools, and development practices, advocating for improvements where appropriate. Leverage this continuous learning to mentor and provide technical direction to your software team

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field
  • 3+ years of experience in a formal or informal leadership capacity (e.g., Tech Lead, Team Lead, mentoring junior engineers, project leadership)
  • 8+ years of professional software development experience, delivering complex, scalable applications
  • Solid experience developing backend services and APIs using at least one common language and framework (e.g., Node.js/Express/NestJS, Python/Django/Flask/FastAPI, Java/Spring Boot/Quarkus, C#/.NET Core, Ruby/Rails, Go/Gin)
  • Experience designing and interacting with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) using SQL and familiarity with ORMs/query builders
  • Familiarity with core concepts and services of at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Strong understanding of software development principles, data structures, algorithms, and API design (especially REST)
  • Experience or familiarity with various database concepts such as relational structure as well as NoSQL structure concepts in tools such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
  • Solid understanding of software engineering principles, data structures, algorithms, and system design
  • Experience with modern software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Kanban)
  • Experience with version control systems such as Git and the associated tooling to for modern software version control
  • Experience with CI/CD pipeline development, testing, and deployment of software application to cloud platforms such as AWS
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
  • A genuine passion for both technology and people leadership
  • Ability to effectively balance management responsibilities with individual technical contributions

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience directly managing software engineers, including performance management cycles
  • Experience working in a modern software company with experience in the execution of government development programs
  • Experience contributing to architectural decisions

Pay Range: $150,000 - $190,000
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
The application window will close in 40 days for this position.
Location: Aurora, CO
Being situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Aurora provides opportunities to enjoy all the beautiful nature that Colorado has to offer, while also being a 20-minute drive from downtown Denver and 15-minutes to the Denver International Airport.
What We Offer:
  • Comprehensive medical/vision/dental insurance packages
  • Company contributions to qualified HSA accounts
  • 401k retirement plan with industry leading company contributions
  • 3 weeks of vacation accrual per year plus time off for sick leave and unscheduled life events
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Upfront tuition assistance for approved degree programs
  • Annual bonus program based on company and employee performance
  • Company paid life insurance, AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
  • 4 weeks paid Parental Leave
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

EHS/Environmental Requirements:
This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to use hands to keyboard, communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. This would require the ability to move around the campus and occasionally move/lift items weighing up to 25lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.
ITC & Security Clearance Requirements:
This position requires an active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance.
Visa Restrictions:
No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Pre-employment Screenings:
Employment with any ARKA companies in the U.S. is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check, and drug screen.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.