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Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Waukee, IA (NOW HIRING)

About Ortho2 Ortho2 is the industry leader in orthodontic practice management software, serving ... As Engineering Manager, you'll lead a ~10-person team of Software Developers, Senior Engineers, and ...

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Software Engineering Manager The Culture Ag Leader was born from a passion and determination to transform agriculture forever. In 1992, Ag Leader changed the industry by bringing real-time yield data ...

Engineering Manager-Technical Product Owner

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$163K - $168K/yr

Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Software Engineering Management Level Manager & Summary ... Those in software engineering at PwC will focus on developing innovative software solutions to ...

A growing organization is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead its engineering department across mechanical design projects. This role is responsible for overseeing engineering accuracy, team ...

The ACI Team comprises of engineers, project managers, skilled welders, pipe fitters, sheet metal mechanics, service technicians, and support staff who are all dedicated to serving our clients. Job ...

The ACI Team comprises of engineers, project managers, skilled welders, pipe fitters, sheet metal mechanics, service technicians, and support staff who are all dedicated to serving our clients. Job ...

... software, platform, or cloud engineering, including people leadership - In lieu of a Bachelor ... Managing delivery plans, dependencies, and risks effectively - Operating production platforms with ...

As the Solution Delivery Manager, you will lead one or more software engineering teams responsible for designing, building, testing, deploying, and supporting high-quality software products. You will ...

As the Solution Delivery Manager, you will lead one or more software engineering teams responsible for designing, building, testing, deploying, and supporting high-quality software products. You will ...

... Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics preferred - Designing, training, and ... into various platforms - Managing CI/CD pipelines for AI systems using GitHub Actions ...

Card controls and user profile management * Alerts, notifications, and fraud prevention ... Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or a relevant field preferred

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Software Engineering Manager information

See Waukee, IA salary details

$95.4K

$162.4K

$192.3K

How much do software engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineering manager in Waukee, IA is $162,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $165,900.00 and $165,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Software Engineering Manager jobs in Waukee, IA?

For Software Engineering Manager jobs in Waukee, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineering Manager jobs in Waukee, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineering Manager jobs in Waukee, IA are:

What cities near Waukee, IA are hiring for Software Engineering Manager jobs?

Cities near Waukee, IA with the most Software Engineering Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineering Manager job openings in Waukee, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $162,438 per year, or $78.1 per hour.

Engineering Manager

Ames, IA • On-site

Ortho2, LLC.
Software Development • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

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Job description

About Ortho2 

Ortho2 is the industry leader in orthodontic practice management software, serving thousands of practices that depend on our platform for their day-to-day success. We’re a small, close-knit company where engaged employees are the foundation of everything we do. Our atmosphere is laid back, roles are flexible, and ownership is readily available. 

About the role 

This is a relatively new position, which means you won’t inherit a playbook. You’ll help define the role as you grow into it. 

As Engineering Manager, you’ll lead a ~10-person team of Software Developers, Senior Engineers, and a UI/UX. We have additional positions to fill, so you’ll likely be shaping the team from your first weeks. You’ll own their growth, their performance, and the health of how they work. This is a hands-on role. You’ll be in design discussions regularly, and technical credibility with senior engineers is a core requirement, not a nice-to-have. 

The VP of Development will drive architecture and technical strategy. You own the team that executes it, and the partnership between those two seats is the backbone of this job. 

What you’ll do 

  • Lead, coach, and grow the development team: 1:1s, growth plans, performance management, and hiring 

  • Stay hands-on: participate in architecture discussions, review code, and occasionally deploy 

  • Own team capability: honestly assess skills against where our platform is heading, invest heavily in developing people, and make the hard calls when investment isn’t working, including hiring the engineers the platform needs 

  • Champion modern engineering practice: strong review culture, a real quality bar, and AI-assisted development as a first-class part of how the team works 

  • Keep delivery healthy with lightweight, adaptive process; fit the process to the team and the moment, not the other way around 

  • Occasionally represent engineering in technical conversations with vendors and enterprise customers 

Our environment 

Our cloud platform has been actively developed for over 20 years. A large share of functionality still lives in .NET Framework, WPF, and WCF, and we’re migrating side-by-side to modern .NET microservices, React and SvelteKit web apps, and Kubernetes on Azure. You’d lead a team that works across that entire spectrum. Legacy and greenfield in the same week, sometimes the same day. 

We’re small, so everyone wears multiple hats and roles flex with the need. Priorities shift with customer dynamics. If you thrive on structure someone else defined, rigid ceremonies, strict processes, tightly bounded roles - you will not enjoy this job. If ambiguity reads as freedom to you, you will. 

What we’re looking for 

  • 8+ years building software, with meaningful depth in .NET and React a plus. Recent enough hands-on work to earn the respect of senior engineers in a code review 

  • 3+ years managing software engineers, including real hiring and performance-management outcomes 

  • A track record of raising a team’s productivity bar. Coaching people to new skill levels, and when necessary, managing people out with honesty and dignity 

  • Comfort operating without a playbook: adapting process, priorities, and your own role as needs change 

  • Fluency with AI-assisted development and what it changes about how teams work 

Bonus points for 

  • Modernizing a long-lived product while it stayed in production 

  • Multi-tenant B2B SaaS experience 

  • Leading a team’s adoption of AI development tooling 

  • Experience partnering closely with UI/UX designers 

  • WPF or desktop application background 

We don’t require specific degrees, certifications, or agile credentials. We’d rather hear about what your teams shipped and who you grew. 

What we offer 

  • A flexible work arrangement.  Fully remote or in-person/hybrid based out of our Ames, IA office.
  • Competitive salary and opportunity for bonuses
  • Health benefits package (medical, dental, vision)
  • Life and disability coverage
  • EAP services
  • 401k with company match
  • PTO and volunteer time off
If this sounds like the kind of role you’d help build rather than fill, we want to talk. 

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