Manager, Software Engineering & Technology - Craft

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider Craft Education as the next step in your career.

 

Craft Education is on a mission to solve skilled labor shortages by powering work-based learning pathways for all.  

 

At Craft, we’re revolutionizing the apprenticeship degree, combining on-the-job learning with accredited instruction to create innovative educational pathways that accommodate working professionals and meet employer needs.  Our flagship product - Craft Connect - helps organizations administer apprentice degree programs and address mission-critical data and reporting needs.  Through the same platform, Craft is also transforming how on-the-job learning converts into academic credits.

 

Our team of technology, education and workforce professionals also provides technical assistance to organizations looking to launch and manage apprenticeship degree programs.  We are working tirelessly to accelerate the expansion of these programs along with the data infrastructure that underpins them.  

 

If you’re looking to join the work-based learning revolution, we’d love to talk with you.  At Craft, you’ll have the opportunity to solve hard problems in a high-growth startup environment and make a lasting impact on the future of education and workforce development.  We couldn’t be more excited to advance this work as a team of innovative, collaborative and mission-oriented professionals - we hope you’ll consider joining us.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Grade: Management Technical 714

Job Description

The Manager of Engineering and Technology at Craft leads a high-performing software engineering team responsible for product development and system integrations. This role sets the technical vision, establishes standards, and provides coaching and direction to engineers working across front-end, back-end, QA, and cloud technologies.

Partnering closely with senior leadership, the manager fosters a collaborative and innovative culture while contributing as a hands-on technical leader through mentorship, pairing, and cross-functional development efforts.

 

• Manages technology team members, providing training, technical standards, and direction.
• Collaborates with leadership, designers, developers, and subject matter experts to establish the technical vision and analyze trade-offs between usability and performance needs, determining platforms, components, software applications, technologies, and security measures.
• Interfaces with product, project, and external teams in the definition and execution of development projects; maintains collaborative relationships with all appropriate stakeholders.
• Works with internal and external customers to elicit technical requirements. Negotiates dependencies and maintains productive working relationships.
• Ensures optimized performance for high utilization, 24x7 access, accessibility (ADA), responsiveness, and scalability.
• Ensures data is always handled securely and in compliance with applicable laws.
• Develops and directs software system testing procedures, programming, and documentation.
  Continuously improves team’s development approach, maximizing team’s ability to balance quick execution with security and stability.
• Clearly communicates constraints, conflicts, requirements, compatibility issues, and items which could affect project outcome, final performance level, or product efficacy. Offers appropriate alternatives and contingency plans.
• Responsible for both software and data engineering individuals. 
• Works in a fast-paced environment and organizes work efforts and individual efficiency of engineers.
• Recruits and hire individuals as needed
• Leans into AI code development practices and ensures currency with evolving technical landscape.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities.  The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide technical and architectural leadership and successfully coach an engineering team.
• Ability to develop and direct software system testing procedures, programming, and documentation; demonstrated commitment to efficient, secure, scalable, and maintainable code and engineering practices.
• Demonstrated ability to understand business needs and execute on a business strategy.
• Ability to research, design, and develop computer software systems, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities in rapid, deadline-driven environments; excelling at pinpointing and resolving problems in early project stages to avoid cost/time expenses.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical team members, external stakeholders, and management.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with team members and stakeholders.
• Is a self-starter with bias for action while maintaining stable, secure user experiences.
• Ability to ramp up quickly on new technologies.
• Exhibit strong attention to detail.
• Exhibit excellent judgment.
• Ability to provide team members with measurable goals and performance standards to track efficiency and performance against goals.
• Skilled in developing plan to accomplish division or job area responsibilities that align with department and provides individual team members performance goals and targets.
• Skilled in compiling data to prepare budgets.
• Skills in making improvements of processes or systems to enhance performance of the job area.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to prioritize competing priorities and communicate why and reasoning for decision
• Skills in communication with senior leaders in a concise and relevant manner and based on problems to solve.
• Ability to manage the work of assigned employees and/or supervisors who generally exercise some latitude and independence in their assignments.
• Knowledgeable to ensure proper training of team members, and actively participates in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Conducts performance reviews and recommends salary reviews.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer sciences, information technology, or related field OR equivalent and relevant work experience.

Experience

• 6 years of experience and a proven track record in developing web-based applications and web services including experience interfacing with databases and integrating third party products with existing infrastructure.
• 2 years of experience leading teams of software engineering professionals or related leadership experience

Experience in lieu of education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements.  Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience leading teams of software engineering professionals or related leadership experience.
• Master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related field.
• Start up or early-stage company experience growing to scale

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Travel Language

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed.  Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.