Software Engineering Manager

About the Company: Smiths Detection is a global leader in threat detection and security screening technology, protecting people and infrastructure worldwide. With 40+ years of innovation, 21 offices, and 3,000 colleagues, we deliver cutting-edge solutions across aviation, ports & borders, defence, and urban security.

About the Role: As an Engineering Manager, you will lead and mentor a team of 8–12 software engineers, driving technical ownership, project delivery, and innovation. The role requires strong collaboration with internal stakeholders, ensuring smooth communication, alignment on priorities, and effective execution of projects. You will oversee the design and deployment of scalable solutions while fostering an inclusive, growth-oriented team culture. With proven leadership experience, technical depth in Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, and cloud platforms, you'll balance hands-on technical guidance with strategic stakeholder management to deliver impactful results.

Responsibilities:

Leadership, Mentorship & Cultural Awareness:

• Demonstrated strength in people management and team leadership.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of 8-10 software engineers, fostering professional growth and technical mastery.
• Conduct regular one-on-one sessions, performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback.
• Demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and active listening skills to build trust and cohesion within the team.
• Cultivate an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and working styles.
• Adapt leadership approaches to different cultural contexts, ensuring collaboration across global or cross-functional teams.
• Promote psychological safety, encouraging open dialogue, respectful debate, and constructive feedback.

Onboarding & Knowledge Transfer:

• Drive effective onboarding processes for new team members, ensuring they quickly gain the technical and domain knowledge needed to contribute successfully.
• Promote structured knowledge-sharing sessions, pair programming, and cross-training to reduce single points of failure and build resilience within the team.
• Foster a culture where expertise is openly shared, enabling smooth transitions when responsibilities shift and ensuring continuity across projects.

Technical Ownership & Project Delivery:

• Manage sprint planning, task allocation, and delivery timelines.
• Identify risks, resolve blockers, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope.
• Strive for 100% say-do ratio, meaning we deliver on our commitments.
• Suggest and support changes to systems, tools and processes to optimize overall business performance.
• Collaborate closely with product line teams to transfer digital technologies from development into the new product introduction process.
• Adhere to the digital development process as well as the product lifecycle process whilst also actively driving improvements for best practice.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Proven experience (12+ years) in software development, with at least 2-3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong proficiency in Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Windows platforms.
• Solid understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and agile methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to balance technical depth with strategic leadership.

Required Skills: Strong expertise in C#, WPF, MVVM, cloud platforms.

Preferred Skills: Solid understanding of architecture, design patterns, and agile methodologies.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We are committed to diversity and inclusivity.

Join us to build a safer world while advancing your career in a diverse, inclusive, and innovative environment.