Software Development Manager

Cogent People Inc • Columbia, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Cogent People Inc. is seeking an experienced Software Development Manager with a strong technical foundation to direct day-to-day execution across multiple mission-focused workstreams and drive accountability across a geographically dispersed team. This individual will report to the Project Manager and be accountable for operational coordination, technical delivery alignment, and ensuring IT efforts remain synchronized with customer priorities. The Software Development Manager must possess sufficient technical depth to effectively engage with software engineers, DevSecOps team, and system and data architects. This role requires the ability to understand system and data architectures, evaluate technical risks, challenge assumptions, and translate mission requirements into executable technical tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field with 12–15 years of relevant experience
• 5+ years in technical leadership or development management roles
• Strong hands-on background in modern application development, industry best practices, and DevSecOps
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering-driven programs or software development teams
• Strong understanding of: Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Agile methodologies (Scrum, SAFe) DevSecOps practices and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery or Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines Cloud-based architecture (e.g., AWS)
• Proven ability to translate customer requirements into technically executable plans
• Experience coordinating geographically dispersed technical teams
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to assess technical tradeoffs
• Demonstrated ability to review technical designs and implementations
• Experience operating in structured or compliance-driven environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting federal programs (CMS experience strongly preferred)
• Familiarity with secure cloud environments and compliance processes
• Experience with Python and SQL (PL/SQL preferred)
• Experience modernizing legacy systems or leading platform evolution efforts
• Background in both application development and cloud infrastructure domains

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor an agile software engineering team supporting mission-critical data ingestion, analytics, and reporting systems in an AWS-based federal environment
• Provide technical direction across application, data, and infrastructure layers to ensure scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions
• Guide system design decisions and evaluate implementation approaches before development and release
• Establish and reinforce engineering standards, including code review rigor and disciplined release practices
• Identify technical risks, architectural gaps, and technical debt, and recommend pragmatic improvements
• Strengthen collaboration across development, infrastructure, QA, operations, and program leadership
• Support modernization initiatives aligned to long-term platform strategy while maintaining operational stability
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Agile metrics and retrospective outcomes to optimize operational performance

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage.
• 401(k) Plan: Matching contributions.
• Life Insurance & Disability Coverage: Company-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of PTO annually, plus 10 holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager