Manager Software Engineering

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.  

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.  

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.  

WHAT YOU'LL DO

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Software Engineering Manager in our Ascend Learning Technology organization. The Software Engineering Manager will have responsibility for overseeing the developing, testing, implementation, and maintenance of software applications in a for-profit organization utilizing multiple technologies.

A Software Engineering Manager in the Ascend Learning Technology organization will be expected to function and lead in a DevOps culture. This includes working on an agile software development team that includes full accountability for the team’s output. The Software Engineering Manager facilitates the engineering team’s activities, removes impediments, and provides leadership. This individual will partner with other leaders in the organization to coordinate and prioritize backlog for a product, as well as ensure that the scrum process is used properly for the collective team. This role will directly manage software engineers.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our Leawood, KS office location.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Lead and manage teams of software engineers working on projects using the .NET, Angular and MS SQL
• Lead, mentor, and push the engineering team’s pursuit of engineering excellence, driving each team member’s professional development and fostering a positive, collaborative work environment
• Ensure the engineering teams are operating as efficiently and effectively as possible
• Ensure platform stability through proactive monitoring, performance optimization, and timely issue resolution
• Works with different teams within the organization to achieve DevOps goals.
• Partner with PMO to conduct prioritization sessions with stakeholders for all stories related to the product
• Develop trusted partnerships both inside and outside the team through effective communication of expectations, clarity of objectives, delivering commitments, and having high standards of quality
• Handle day-to-day management responsibilities for direct reports
• Assist/lead teams iteration planning, retrospectives and demos
• Coordinate and lead release deployments across a cross functional team
• Foster an inclusive and diverse team environment where all members feel valued and empowered to contribute
• Guide and lead the team in making sound technical decisions, ensuring scalability, security, and maintainability of systems
• Solve complex technical challenges, supporting team members in overcoming blockers and ensuring smooth delivery of projects

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent work experience preferred.
• 8+ years of software development or technical experience
• 3+ years of people management experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire team members
• Experience with software architecture design and implementation.
• Strong team player with problem-solving skills
• Must be able to lead a team to self-organization
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

BENEFITS 

• Flexible and generous paid time off
• Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) employer matching program
• Parental leave
• Wellness resources
• Charitable matching program
• On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
• Community outreach groups
• Tuition reimbursement

Fostering A Sense of Belonging 

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.  

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.