Software Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager (50% Hands-on Development)

We seek an Engineering Manager to lead a team supporting a legacy Ruby on Rails application and building new services using Python or Ruby. You will play a key role in developing event-driven systems with Kafka, managing PostgreSQL databases, and driving CI/CD pipelines through GitHub Actions. Our software is deployed on AWS within Kubernetes clusters. This role requires both technical leadership and hands-on coding.

What You’ll Do at Avant:

• Backlog Management: Collaborate with the Product Owner to plan and refine your team’s work.

• Technical Leadership: Lead, coach, and mentor a team of engineers in a fast-paced Agile environment.

• Agile Facilitation: Facilitate Agile ceremonies, including stand-ups, sprint planning, retrospectives, and demos.

• Project Management: Align priorities, timelines, and deliverables with product teams and stakeholders.

• Engineering Excellence: Uphold software engineering standards and best practices across the team.

• Culture & Collaboration: Foster a culture of continuous improvement through innovation and reflection.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with other teams to design, build, and release new features.

• Software Development: Develop scalable, maintainable code using Ruby, Python, and other technologies.

• Lifecycle Participation: Engage in all phases of software development—analysis, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.

• Documentation & Reviews: Create and review RFCs, conduct code reviews, and drive quality assurance through peer feedback and unit tests.

• Onboarding & Development: Onboard new team members and promote continuous professional growth.

• Architecture & Database Design: Contribute to system architecture and maintain PostgreSQL databases.

• Performance Management: Monitor and improve software performance using DORA metrics to measure outcomes.

• CI/CD Ownership: Maintain robust pipelines with GitHub Actions for seamless deployments.

• Stay Current: Keep up with industry trends and ensure the team applies modern engineering practices.

Why You’re a Fit for Avant:

• Education: BS/MS in Computer Science, related field, or comparable experience.

• Proven Leadership: Experience leading software engineering teams in an Agile/Scrum environment.

• Technical Expertise:

  • Strong understanding of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).

  • Expertise in backend development with Ruby, Python, or similar languages.

  • Familiarity with front-end technologies (e.g., JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue).

  • Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).

  • Solid understanding of Kafka for event streaming and PostgreSQL for data storage.

  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD systems (e.g., GitHub Actions).

• Experience:

  • 9+ years of software development experience.

  • 3+ years leading Agile software teams.

  • 3+ years managing databases (SQL).

• Skills & Attributes:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Excellent problem-solving abilities with a mindset for innovation.

  • Familiarity with DORA metrics to measure software performance and delivery.

  • Ability to foster teamwork and a high-performance culture.

Check out our Avant Blog!

We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences helps us create the most innovative solutions for our customers. We invite you to apply to our positions even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications listed in the description. If you’re passionate about our mission and aligned to our values, we hope you’ll come contribute to our awesome culture.

Why Avant is the place for you:

At Avant, we believe our values make a difference:

Authenticity. We show up to work as our whole selves and make sure others can too.

Collaboration. We can only succeed when we do so as a team.

Problem-Solving. The harder the problem, the more satisfying the solution.

Customer. We are all owners of the customer experience.

Initiative. Plan. Adapt. Get Sh!t Done.

We believe that great ideas come from anyone and anywhere, that everyone is an owner who drives change, and that we have more fun when we work together. We're problem solvers who love collaborating with intelligent and highly-motivated people to reshape the face of digital banking. Avant offers terrific perks and benefits, fun social events with employees who actually like hanging out together, and a flexible growth environment where trying your hand at new projects and being the active owner of your career path is encouraged and supported.

Some of our benefits include:

• Choice of great Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plan options

• 401(k) Match

• Unlimited Paid Time Off

• Flexible Work Environment

• Generous Paid Parental Leave

• Lunch Allowance (Fooda) and In-office Snacks

• WFH Stipends for our Remote Employees

• Access to LinkedIn Learning for Professional Development

• No Meeting Wednesdays - (a.k.a. planned time to Get Sh!t Done)

• Summer Fridays

• Fun In-Office and Virtual Social Events

• And who doesn’t love the swag

This position may require you to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If required, you'll be asked to provide proof that you’re fully vaccinated upon your start date or before working in or visiting our Chicago office. You’re considered fully vaccinated two weeks after you receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). Failure to provide proof of vaccination may result in termination. Subject to applicable law and requests for accommodation.