Software Engineering Manager, Developer Tools

Job Description

PlayStation is seeking a Software Engineering Manager to lead a team focused on developer tools for mobile applications. This role, based in San Mateo, CA, involves partnering with various teams to drive the direction of developer tools and SDKs, ensuring fluid and performant experiences. The manager will participate in product roadmap discussions, identify areas for improvement, and incorporate these goals into development initiatives.

The Software Engineering Manager will manage a team of experienced software engineers, providing guidance and mentorship. They will drive the research, development, and implementation of Android features, tools, frameworks, and SDKs. The role also involves working with technical leads and project managers to plan goals, leading mobile app development using Agile methodologies, and connecting with international stakeholders to meet customer needs.

PlayStation offers top-tier benefits, including medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness programs, and employee discounts for Sony products. The role may also be eligible for a bonus package.

Responsibilities:

• Managing a team of experienced software engineers
• Driving forward research, development, and implementation of Android features, tools, frameworks, SDKs, and high-performance, innovative technical solutions.
• Working with technical leads, engineers, and project managers to plan goals and objectives.
• Lead the mobile app development using Agile methodologies like Scrum, delivering iterative improvements and meeting project milestones.
• Connecting with international stakeholders, making sure our solutions meet customer needs, translating requirements into actionable work packages, and creating engaging mobile user experiences.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and craft solutions to improve customer delight.
• Encouraging research, innovation, and a culture of continuous learning in the team.
• Fostering a strong team culture, morale, and cohesiveness.
• Support technical leads by ensuring that the team can access tools and resources to perform their work effectively.
• Aligning team objectives with the overall organizational goals and long-term vision, ensuring that our efforts contribute to the broader mission of the company.
• Conducting staff appraisals, fostering individual growth and development through regular one-to-ones, and identifying and mitigating risks.
• Handling administrative tasks — Approving holidays, purchases, and expenses, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Genuine passion for crafting seamless, intuitive user experiences, prioritizing usability and performance.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years of experience delivering technologies in the interactive entertainment industry, computer graphics, SDK, frameworks, Android applications, mobile game development or a related field.
• Excellent people skills with line management experience (goal setting, appraisals, staff development, performance management)
• You strongly advocate personal and professional growth and ensure that every team member feels valued and heard.
• Your approach to leadership is proactive, adaptable, and driven by a deep commitment to the success of your team and the organization.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring team members, fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and meet project timelines, with proven experience with Agile development methodologies, such as Scrum.
• Have taken a project from scoping requirements to actual launch of product at global scale.
• Excellent communication skills, ensuring strong partnerships with stakeholders, collaborating with company development teams, and prioritizing customer needs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, measure, and optimize UI and application performance, with a focus on UI response time and efficient network usage
• Accel at documenting designs, implementation, and tests for international teams
• Proficiency in Android (Java/Kotlin and Android Studio) development.
• Strong understanding of mobile landscapes, architectures, and trends in Android development, including emerging technologies.
• Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React/React Native, Angular, or similar technologies for building responsive interfaces and dynamic applications.
• Have up-to-date knowledge of APIs such as DirectX 11/12 and, OpenGL 4.x and Vulkan.
• Experience in developing multi-threaded applications with a strong understanding of concurrency and synchronization.

Role Offers:

• Top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products.
• Eligible for a bonus package.