Software Development Manager

Lead and work alongside software developers, and application engineers to shape the future of intelligent power solutions for the physical security industry. You will own the complete software product lifecycle from strategic vision to production, ensuring seamless collaboration, exceptional quality, and platform leadership. This role sits at the intersection of embedded systems, connected software, and product strategy, and is a builder role for someone who wants to leave a lasting mark on a category.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily:

• Drive Innovation: Foster a collaborative environment where firmware engineers, software developers, hardware engineers, and product managers come together to develop cutting-edge connected power solutions.
• Set Technical Vision: Define and communicate a compelling multi-year technology roadmap for embedded software, and cloud-connected platform services, balancing near-term delivery with long-term architectural integrity.
• Lead Software Development: Spearhead the design and sustaining processes for software and firmware across the full product lifecycle, ensuring deliverables meet performance, security, and quality standards while exceeding customer expectations.
• Build and Lead the Team: Hire, develop, and retain a world-class software engineering team. Define career ladders, conduct performance reviews, and build a culture of ownership, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.
• Platform Modernization: Drive the evolution from proprietary, legacy communication stacks to open, standards-based APIs and integration architectures that expand addressable market and accelerate customer time-to-value.
• Intelligent Systems: Lead development of intelligent onboard capabilities, predictive device health monitoring, automated diagnostics, load analytics, and proactive service, enabling SaaS and PaaS revenue models.
• Customer Focus: Champion a customer-centric approach to engineering, working with Product Management and technology partners to ensure development efforts are aligned with customer needs and market demand.
• Project Management: Using Agile principles, managing project timelines, budgets, and engineering capacity, keeping teams on track, priorities clear, and stakeholders informed.
• Technical Documentation: Oversee and ensure quality in the creation and maintenance of engineering documentation, including firmware specifications, API definitions, architecture decision records, and release notes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Take ownership of software and firmware regulatory management, overseeing preparation and maintenance of certification documentation and coordinating with internal and external testing resources.
• Future-Proofing: Stay abreast of changes in connectivity standards, security requirements, and enterprise integration patterns, proactively positioning the platform ahead of industry shifts.
• Safety Culture: Promote and uphold a strong safety culture in the workplace. Observe established safety regulations and procedures.
• Quality Commitment: Assist the organization with establishing engineering practices that align with ISO 27001, 9001 & 14001 requirements.
• Other duties as required, including communication with and travel to customers, suppliers, trade shows, and training sites.

Individuals who need reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform these essential functions should discuss their needs with Human Resources.  EMS will provide reasonable accommodations to such individuals unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on EMS or the individual is a direct threat.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervisory responsibility of approximately 1-5 direct reports. Performs supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and solving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Computer Science, or related field from four-year college or technical school required, AND
• 5+ years of experience in engineering, design/development engineering, or related, AND 2+ years of direct or indirect Leadership experience, especially leading teams of Engineers.
• Experience in the physical security, access control, building automation, or life-safety industry is strongly preferred.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in MS Office and standard engineering collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence, or equivalent).
• Proficiency with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipeline tooling.
• Familiarity with embedded development toolchains (ARM/Cortex-M class microcontrollers preferred).
• Proficiency in ERP system such as JD Edwards.

Other Skills

• Strong understanding of serial communication protocols and device integration standards common in the physical security and building automation industries.
• Experience designing or consuming modern REST APIs; familiarity with authentication standards, real-time communication protocols, and cloud service architectures.
• Experience in C, C#, GO, Python.
• Experience in HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), Ajax, and jQuery.
• Experience with front-end frameworks including Vue2/Vue3, ElementUI, and Bootstrap.
• Strong understanding of HTTP, RESTful API integration, and cross-browser compatibility.
• Experienced with front-end development tools and debugging techniques.
• Solid grasp of Git workflows and collaborative development processes.
• Familiarity with UI/UX design principles; proficient in design tools like Figma and Sketch.
• Experience with SaaS or PaaS product business models, developer ecosystems, and enterprise integration programs is a plus.

Mathematical Ability

• Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts to engineering problems

Language Ability

• For business and safety reasons, ability to write reports and business correspondence in English and effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, technicians, and assemblers in English.

Quality Commitment

• Assist the organization with establishing practices that align with ISO requirements.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.