Job Description
At Positive Grid, we're innovating at the intersection of music and technology. We seek a Software Manager with a strong foundation in C++, enriched by knowledge of frontend technologies like Angular, to lead our BIAS FX software team and future desktop software products. Your expertise in audio plugin development, VST, DAW, and cross-platform application development (Windows and Mac) will drive the evolution of our guitar effects software. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, proactively shapes product direction, and builds alignment across teams without waiting for explicit direction.
Typical Accountabilities
- Lead BIAS FX and future desktop software development, prioritizing audio plugin creation and integration with DAWs and VSTs.
- Drive software development with a focus on both product delivery and proactively shaping scope when requirements are ambiguous.
- Own cross-team alignment between mobile, firmware, DSP, and ML teamsidentifying integration issues early and driving resolution without escalation.
- Strategize and execute technical roadmaps, translating market insights and competitor analysis into actionable product direction.
- Work closely with ML and DSP teams, providing POC demos, assessing technical efforts, and sharing insights with VP Engineering and PM lead.
- Manage RD resources effectively, including hiring plans, performance reviews, and regular 1-on-1 meetings with team members.
- Support and motivate the engineering team through knowledge sharing, study groups, and performance evaluations.
- Empower your team by instilling a problem-solving mindset, focusing on possibilities rather than waiting for complete specifications.
People Management Responsibility
Manager of a team. This role involves direct team management responsibilities with potential expansion to multiple desktop software projects.
Global Remit
This position primarily operates within the candidate's own country.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, information systems, information technology, or similar.
- 5+ years of hands-on C++ development experience, including modern C++ (C++11/14/17).
- 2+ years of experience in software development life cycle and team management.
- Experience with memory management, multi-threading, and performance optimization.
- 2+ years of experience architecting and designing (architecture, design patterns, reliability, and scaling) new and current systems.
- Strong understanding of software development processes and agile methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to drive alignment across teams and make quality decisions when requirements are incomplete.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Great passion for the guitar music industry is a plus.
- Strong communication and leadership skills to effectively manage and mentor your team.
- Familiarity with the music software or guitarist technology industry and its unique challenges.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, agile development environment, adapting to changing priorities and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to evaluate architectural trade-offs and make sound technical decisions with limited information.
- Experience in resource management, including hiring and performance evaluations.
Soft Skills and Values
- Entrepreneurial Ownership: Takes initiative to define problems and shape product direction, not just execute assigned tasks.
- Cross-team Alignment: Drives collaboration between desktop, mobile, firmware, DSP, and ML teams through influence, not authority.
- Resilience in Ambiguity: Maintains momentum and decision quality when product requirements are evolving or incomplete.
- Coaching Mindset: Develops team members judgment and independence rather than creating dependency.
