Job Description

Software Engineering Manager

San Luis Obispo, CA or Redmond, WA

About HaptX

HaptX develops technology that brings touch to virtual reality with unprecedented realism. We are a multidisciplinary team based in San Luis Obispo, California, and Seattle, Washington.

HaptX Gloves combine precise motion tracking with realistic tactile and force feedback, granting users a natural presence in a virtual world they can feel. Through plug-ins for Unreal Engine and Unity, our software development kit enables customers to create next-generation VR simulations with high-fidelity haptics. We are constantly improving our hardware and software systems in the pursuit of making experiences in virtual reality more compelling than ever. We are looking for qualified candidates to join us on this journey.

HaptX is proud to offer its employees comprehensive health insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, relocation assistance, and equity options.

At HaptX, we celebrate differences and are committed to a diverse workplace that fosters inclusion, belonging and psychological safety for all employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and expressly prohibit any form of workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Position Description

Title: Software Engineering Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director of Software Engineering

Location: Redmond, WA or San Luis Obispo, CA office

Level: Manager – L5 - L6

Location classification: Hybrid (in office 2/3 days per week)

About This Position

The Software Engineering Manager supports members of the HaptX Software Group, provides its members functional guidance, responds to the group’s needs, and serves as the figurative face of the team among other management. To this end, the Software Engineering Manager meets with direct reports regularly, sets clear performance expectations, measures performance fairly, fosters a culture of communication by providing and requesting actionable feedback, and ensures objectives and key results are set and measured. They are also responsible for leading their team in alignment with HaptX culture and values. The Software Engineering Manager participates as a hiring manager to help expand software operations at HaptX, seeking and onboarding other individuals with a combination of technical skills, behavioral skills, and values that would make them successful additions to the tight-knit and ambitious HaptX team.

This position works closely with the Director of Software Engineering, software project managers, and other functional managers in Engineering to coordinate priorities, share updates, and offer suggestions.

A good Software Engineering Manager executes their core responsibilities while building rapport with their team and other coworkers. Strong interpersonal skills and practiced integrity, humility, and accountability are crucial. Passion for emerging technologies in the VR and robotics spaces goes a long way, too!

Key Responsibilities

• Represent Software Group in management-level discussions
• Use your expertise and influence to support and advocate for the growth of others, as well as your own development
• Aligning with engineering department and company goals, manage the team by strategically delegating and prioritizing work to execute
• Build the Software Group effectively through hiring, onboarding, and teambuilding
• Serve as a role model and actively encourage certain key behaviors that promote, align with, and strengthen HaptX culture and values
• Set, enforce, and maintain best practices
• Coordinate, manage, and motivate a geographically distributed team
• Occasional travel between HaptX offices
• Occasional travel to demonstrate and support HaptX technology or otherwise represent HaptX at trade shows, expositions, seminars, etc.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years’ professional leadership experience
• 3+ years’ professional software development experience
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and clearly communicate concepts, ideas, and knowledge to other individuals and teams
• Strong problem-solving skills for operational matters
• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field
• You are a team player with a friendly, positive attitude. You are comfortable wearing multiple hats and have genuine willingness to help out where help is needed.
• Humble, coachable, eager to learn and grow from feedback
• Resourceful, adaptable, able to find solutions and thrive in a rapidly evolving and fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• You must live in the same state as an office location and close enough to the office to come in three days a week and on short notice.
• No sponsorship available for this position
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (i.e., has received final required dose in a COVID-19 vaccination series, including Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, or a vaccine administered outside of the United States and approved by the World Health Organization). Reasonable accommodations will be offered in accordance with applicable law for those who cannot receive the vaccine.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Passion for virtual reality (VR) or robotics technologies

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working with a computer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.