The Role
We are seeking a passionate individual to lead talented engineering teams in creating exceptional outcomes for Kobo and our customers. As an experienced Engineering Manager, you’ll have the exciting opportunity to guide a dynamic team responsible for some of the software underlying our market-leading eReader devices. Your leadership will be pivotal in delivering an exceptional product with an engaging experience for our customers. The ideal candidate will be located in either Dublin, Ireland or in Darmstadt, Germany.
In the role of Software Engineering Manager, you’ll be responsible for:
1. Leading ~20 engineers and testers in three Agile teams, focused on improving the software underlying Kobo’s eReaders.
2. Actively participating in technical delivery activities from system design through to monitoring & incident response, providing technical leadership at every stage
3. Providing mentorship and coaching to team members, actively seeking opportunities for their professional development & providing feedback in 1:1s and other settings
4. Cultivating a collaborative atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to be their authentic selves and reach their full potential.
5. Collaborating with cross-functional peers in Product, Design & Architecture to guide initiatives from conception to production.
6. Continuously enhancing and evolving team processes to achieve optimal outcomes.
7. Continuously optimizing for a balance between immediate product goals, future technical needs, and current team health.
8. Coordinating with other delivery team leaders to ensure seamless cross-team collaboration on larger projects.
Desired Experience
9. To be successful in this role, you should have comparable experience or aptitude with the following:
10. 5+ years of experience in a leadership role within a Software Engineering team, preferably in a consumer device setting.
11. Extensive experience in managing individuals, including providing feedback and conducting performance reviews.
12. 5+ years of experience as a Software Engineer, preferably in C++
13. Familiar with best practices, common challenges with building and maintaining consumer software products.
14. Demonstrated ability to understand, represent, and advocate for technical approaches and team needs in strategic discussions, effectively bridging the gap between engineering and leadership.
15. Strong understanding and practical experience with project management.
16. Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across all organizational levels.
Bonus points
17. Familiarity with eReader or consumer electronics device development.
18. Experience working with embedded systems, C++, or Linux environments.
19. Prior experience with the Qt framework or GUI development.
20. Exposure to working with hardware partners or suppliers.
The Perks:
21. Flexible hours and remote working environment
22. 4 extra long weekends around bank holiday weekends
23. Full benefits starting from your first day
24. Paid volunteer days, unlimited sick days
25. Flexible spending account
26. Talent and development training budget
27. Free Kobo device + free weekly eBook or audiobook
28. Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions
29. Maternity/paternity leave top-up