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Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site

$200K - $250K/yr

Strong aptitude with software development lifecycle and engineering excellence processes, Agile methodologies, and the ability to project manage moderately sized projects * Deep software engineering ...

Manager, Software Engineering

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$130K - $150K/yr

POSITION SUMMARY The Manager of Software Engineering will provide leadership for design and implementation of software architecture for Allied Benefit Systems. This role is also responsible for ...

Showing results 41-60

Software Engineering Manager information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$102.6K

$174.6K

$206.7K

How much do software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineering manager in Chicago, IL is $174,625.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $178,400.00 and $178,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Software Engineering jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What job categories do people searching Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Software Engineering Manager jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Software Engineering Manager jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Software Engineering Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Engineering Manager job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,625 per year, or $84 per hour.

Software Engineer Manager, Learning Platforms, Global Business Organization

Socket.dev

Chicago, IL • On-site

$207 - $300/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent practical experience.

  • 8 years of experience in software development.

  • 3 years of experience with full stack development, across back-end such as Java, Python, Golang, or C++ codebases, and front-end experience including JavaScript or TypeScript, HTML, CSS or equivalent.

  • 3 years of experience in a technical leadership role.

  • 2 years of experience in a people management or team leadership role.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related technical field.

  • 3 years of experience working in a structured organization.

  • Experience with machine learning (ML) model fine-tuning, evaluation, and performance optimization for user-facing systems.


ABOUT THE JOB:

Like Google's own ambitions, the work of a Software Engineer goes beyond just Search. Software Engineering Managers have not only the technical expertise to take on and provide technical leadership to major projects, but also manage a team of Engineers. You not only optimize your own code but make sure Engineers are able to optimize theirs. As a Software Engineering Manager you manage your project goals, contribute to product strategy and help develop your team. Teams work all across the company, in areas such as information retrieval, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, distributed computing, large-scale system design, networking, security, data compression, user interface design; the list goes on and is growing every day. Operating with scale and speed, our exceptional software engineers are just getting started -- and as a manager, you guide the way.


With technical and leadership expertise, you manage engineers across multiple teams and locations, a large product budget and oversee the deployment of large-scale projects across multiple sites internationally.


The Global Business Organization (GBO) is the engine that powers Google’s full ecosystem of products and services to help customers and partners succeed and grow. GBO includes the commercial arms of Ads sellers, business development teams, and customer services and support, as well as overlay programs that enable coordinated engagement with Google’s most complex and important customers and partners. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.


US: $207000 - $300000 (USD) + 20% bonus target + equity + benefits


Learn more about benefits at Google [https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/benefits/].


RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Set and communicate team priorities that support the broader organization's goals. Align strategy, processes, and decision-making across teams.

  • Set clear expectations with individuals based on their level and role and aligned to the broader organization's goals. Meet regularly with individuals to discuss performance and development and provide feedback and coaching.

  • Develop the mid-term technical goals and roadmap within the scope of your (often multiple) team(s). Evolve the roadmap to meet anticipated future requirements and infrastructure needs.

  • Design, guide and vet systems designs within the scope of the broader area, and write product or system development code to solve ambiguous problems.

  • Review code developed by other engineers and provide feedback to ensure best practices (e.g., style guidelines, checking code in, accuracy, testability, and efficiency).

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