[Remote] Engineering Manager, Software Engineering (Java Backend)
Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Ad Hoc LLC is hiring an Engineering Manager to lead and support a team developing Java backend applications and services for the Veterans Affairs business unit. The role combines hands-on technical leadership, architecture and engineering delivery with people management, mentoring, and collaboration across program teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support a team of software engineers responsible for developing and maintaining Java-based backend applications and services
- Remain technically engaged through architecture, code reviews, troubleshooting, technical design, and hands-on development as needed
- Guide the design and delivery of backend applications using Java 17+, Spring, Spring Boot, REST APIs, and microservices
- Provide people management responsibilities, including regular 1:1s, coaching, performance feedback, professional development, and career growth
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, product managers, and program leadership to establish technical priorities and deliver solutions aligned with program objectives
- Help engineers independently own complex technical challenges involving API architecture, service integration, data access, and enterprise modernization
- Establish and reinforce engineering best practices, including automated testing, maintainable code, code reviews, and continuous improvement
- Support Agile delivery processes, sprint planning, technical estimation, and the identification and resolution of engineering blockers
- Identify technical risks, dependencies, and opportunities for improvement while communicating effectively with technical and nontechnical stakeholders
- Partner with customer technical teams and architects to ensure solutions align with program requirements and engineering standards
- Support hiring, technical interviews, onboarding, and team development as needed
- Foster a collaborative engineering environment that encourages accountability, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning
- Balance technical delivery responsibilities with the development, engagement, and performance of the engineering team
Skills
- Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of relevant software engineering experience; relevant professional experience may be substituted for education
- 8+ years of professional software development experience, including significant hands-on Java backend development
- 5+ years of experience with Spring and Spring Boot developing production backend applications
- 5+ years of experience designing, developing, or integrating RESTful APIs and microservices
- Experience leading software engineers through technical delivery, mentorship, coaching, or formal people management
- Experience providing performance feedback, supporting professional development, and managing engineering team priorities
- Strong technical foundation in Java, Spring Boot, backend architecture, object-oriented programming, and API design
- Recent hands-on software engineering experience with the ability to review code, contribute to technical designs, and troubleshoot complex backend systems
- Experience with relational databases such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, or comparable technologies, including SQL and ORM frameworks such as Hibernate/JPA
- Experience supporting software development across the full lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and production support
- Experience working in Agile development environments and collaborating across engineering, product, and program teams
- Demonstrated ability to balance technical leadership, engineering delivery, and team development responsibilities
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including experience working with technical and nontechnical stakeholders
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, now or in the future
- Must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance
- Active, VA-adjudicated Public Trust
- Previous experience as an Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, Engineering Lead, or Staff Software Engineer with team leadership responsibilities
- Experience directly managing engineers, including performance reviews, coaching, and career development
- Experience modernizing legacy enterprise applications or transitioning monolithic systems into microservices
- Experience with Java 17+ and modern Spring Boot frameworks
- Experience with event-driven architecture, Kafka, Redis, or distributed systems
- Experience with reactive programming and Spring WebFlux
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and modern DevOps practices
- Experience supporting federal government programs, particularly the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Experience balancing hands-on technical contributions with formal engineering management responsibilities
- Experience leading distributed or fully remote engineering teams
Benefits
- Company-subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible PTO
- 401K with employer match
- Paid parental leave after one year of service
- Employee Assistance Program
- Remote position
Company Overview