Software Development Manager

As a Software Development Manager, you will oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of technical projects within your team. You’ll collaborate with Product, UX, and other stakeholders to prioritize work, guide technical direction, and ensure smooth delivery.

You’ll also support the growth and well-being of team members through coaching, feedback, and development opportunities. Your leadership will help the team navigate challenges, align with product goals, and continuously improve their practices and performance.

This is a people-first leadership role for someone who is passionate about developing talent, supporting delivery, and fostering collaboration. You’ll also serve as a bridge between your team and the broader organization, helping align business needs with technical implementation.

This is a hybrid role based out of Safe Software's Surrey, BC headquarters. We have an immediate opening and are excited to find the right candidate to join our team.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Even if you don’t meet every requirement listed, we value your unique experiences and perspectives.

About The Team

The FME Engine team builds and maintains the core of Safe Software’s FME platform, the technology that powers data integration for organizations around the world. As SDM, you’ll lead two Engine teams, which build many of the transformers at the heart of FME. It’s computational, algorithm-rich work written primarily in C++ within the FME codebase. Both teams are strong and highly collaborative, with a habit of tackling problems together rather than working in silos, and they’re looking for a leader who will nurture that culture.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Software Development Manager, FME Engine, you will:

• Lead a team of developers through coaching, feedback, and professional development.

• Collaborate with Product, UX, and technical stakeholders to define and prioritize work.

• Act as product owner for your teams, partnering with Product Managers to manage the backlog, prioritize features and internal improvements, and bring planned work to your teams.

• Oversee technical delivery, helping manage project flow and addressing risks early.

• Support architecture and design discussions to ensure alignment and inclusion of team voices.

• Build a positive, inclusive team culture centred on collaboration and shared ownership.

• Guide hiring, onboarding, and team growth with a focus on skill development and values alignment.

• Champion continuous improvement and openness to change in tools, practices, and communication, including AI-assisted ways of working.

• Act as a liaison between your team and other parts of the organization, advocating for both team and business needs.

Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies

At Safe Software, we welcome diverse backgrounds and experiences. While not all candidates will have everything listed, the most successful candidates will bring many of the following:

What We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years in software development, including 3+ years leading software teams as a people manager, team lead, or similar role. Direct people management experience strongly preferred.

• Solid understanding of Agile development practices and software system design.

• Strong working knowledge of C++, enough to understand the scope and design of your teams’ work. Hands-on coding is welcome but not expected.

• Product owner experience in an Agile environment, including backlog management and feature prioritization.

• Demonstrated interest and practical experience in adopting AI tools within a development team.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on empathy and clarity.

• Demonstrated ability to support team health and build inclusive, high-performing teams.

• Ability to balance technical direction with team and business priorities.

Nice to Have:

• Exposure to Python, particularly for test frameworks.

• Familiarity with Safe Software’s platform or similar technical domains.

• Involvement in mentoring, DEI, or culture-building initiatives.

• Knowledge of hiring practices, onboarding, and team-building techniques.

• Experience with AI Coding Agents (e.g. Claude Code, GitHub Copilot).

What You Can Expect

When you choose a career with Safe Software, you’re also choosing…

• Meaningful Work: Make a profound impact across our business, workplace and data integration product.

• A Supportive Environment: Feel empowered to share your ideas and implement them with high autonomy and team support.

• Social Responsibility: Become part of a team that finds meaningful ways to give back. Take paid time off to volunteer for one of our Safe-organized opportunities that align with our core community initiatives.

• Learning & Career Development: We believe in your continuous learning and growth. Take advantage of an annual learning budget and training programs paid for by Safe.

• Flexible Working Hours: Flexible and remote-friendly work arrangements to fit your lifestyle. Work when you want, and how you want to.

• Work-Life Balance: There's no place for burnout at Safe. Maintain a healthy balance of your personal and work life without splitting yourself in two. Enjoy 3 weeks of vacation to recharge, plus an additional paid 6 seasonal days off per year.

• Health & Wellness: Extended health, dental, health or lifestyle spending, and counseling benefits from day 1. That’s right, no waiting period.

• Family is important: We are dedicated to supporting our employees through parenthood and offer a Parental Leave Top-Up Program for new parents through childbirth or adoption.

• Shared Success: Share in Safe’s success with our bi-annual profit sharing and RRSP/TFSA matching program.

• An Accessible Commute: Regardless of your commute method, we’re located close to public transit, and provide complimentary parking and bike storage for our team!

About Safe Software

Safe Software transforms organizations with FME, the only All-Data Any-AI Enterprise Integration Platform connecting all your data, anywhere, at any velocity.

With over 30 years of expertise and 25,000+ enterprise customers across 125+ countries, we simplify your data journey, wherever it leads.

Founded in 1993, Safe is headquartered in Surrey, BC with over 300 team members and counting. We’re always looking for talented individuals with diverse backgrounds who are determined to learn and grow. Are you ready to join the team?

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Safe Software is an equal opportunity employer and we truly believe that innovation and strength begin with diversity and inclusion.

We welcome all candidates regardless of race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, disability, national or ethnic origin, political belief, religion, or family status.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact hr_dept@safe.com.

Notice Regarding Use of Automated Tools in Hiring

At Safe Software, we use automated tools to help us process applications and identify qualified candidates. These tools may assist in screening resumes and summarizing interview content based on the information you provide. This helps our team review applications efficiently while ensuring every candidate is considered based on the requirements of the role.

Please be assured that the final hiring decision is always made by a member of our team. For more information on how we protect your privacy, please see our policy. If you have questions about this process, please contact us at hr_dept@safe.com.