Manager, Software Engineering

About the Role

AutoNation is seeking a Manager, Software Engineering to lead teams responsible for business-critical platforms across our automotive retail and marketing operations. You will manage Lead Software Engineers and other engineering professionals, develop talent, establish clear expectations, and own the predictable delivery and operation of high-quality software.

This role combines people leadership, delivery accountability, technical fluency, and business partnership. You will empower technical leads to own solution design and engineering execution while providing the direction, coaching, staffing, prioritization, and stakeholder alignment their teams need to succeed.

You will also help advance AutoNation''s person-centered approach to AI-enabled engineering - applying leading-edge AI capabilities to strengthen human judgment, improve quality, accelerate feedback, and create more time for meaningful customer and business problem-solving.

What You'll Do:

• Lead, coach, and develop Lead Software Engineers and other team members through regular feedback, goal setting, performance management, and career development.
• Build effective teams through thoughtful staffing, hiring, onboarding, role clarity, and accountability.
• Own delivery across scope, quality, timing, budget, dependencies, risk, reliability, and operational readiness.
• Partner with product, business, architecture, quality engineering, delivery, and operations leaders to shape roadmaps and translate strategy into executable plans.
• Enable technical leads to drive architecture, design, code quality, technical standards, and day-to-day engineering execution.
• Guide teams delivering Java, Angular, AWS, API, microservices, database, and cloud-based solutions.
• Strengthen planning, estimation, automated testing, CI/CD, observability, incident response, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing and project budgets for initiatives typically ranging from $500,000 to $2 million.
• Use engineering and team-health metrics to improve delivery, reliability, quality, and the experience of the team.
• Lead responsible adoption of AI-assisted engineering practices with clear expectations for human oversight, verification, security, privacy, and accountability.

What You Bring

• Ten or more years of progressively responsible software-engineering experience.
• Experience managing or formally leading software engineers, including senior or lead-level engineers, with responsibility for coaching and performance development.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated success leading delivery of complex, business-critical software using Java, Angular, AWS, or comparable modern technologies.
• Strong understanding of architecture, development, testing, deployment, production support, performance, and reliability.
• Experience partnering with business sponsors and product leaders to refine complex needs, communicate tradeoffs, and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Experience planning staffing, delivery, risk, dependencies, and budgets for significant software initiatives.
• Strong communication, judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Experience

• Cloud-native architecture, microservices, APIs, distributed systems, automated delivery, observability, and modern DevOps practices.
• Managing multiple teams, technical leads, vendors, or distributed delivery partners.
• Engineering metrics and AI-assisted software-development methodologies.
• Ecommerce, retail, automotive, financial services, or high-volume consumer transaction platforms.

Why AutoNation?

• Lead engineers and technical leaders working on digital products used across a nationwide organization.
• Shape engineering culture, delivery practices, technical direction, and production excellence.
• Develop Lead Software Engineers and help build the next generation of engineering leadership.
• Help define how AutoNation applies person-centered AI development practices responsibly and effectively.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary for this role is $140,000-$180,000 annually. The role is also eligible for the company's annual bonus program; program terms and payouts are determined at the company's discretion and are subject to change.

AutoNation offers competitive compensation, 401(k) matching, health, dental and vision plans, family-support benefits, Associate vehicle and service discounts, YouDecide offers, and opportunities to support our DRV PNK mission.

Work Authorization

At this time, we are not considering applicants who require employment authorization sponsorship (1) as a condition of eligibility for employment with the Company or (2) at any point during the term of their employment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship by the Company.

Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching

• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits.

• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear

• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers

• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.