Development Engineering Manager

About Darwill:

Darwill is a nationally recognized print and marketing communications firm, headquartered in the western suburbs of Chicago. We specialize in delivering complex, results-driven marketing solutions—from direct mail campaigns and data acquisition to full-service print production and integrated marketing workflows. Our clients rely on us to drive results through creativity, technology, and seamless execution.

As a key partner to CMOs, Marketing Directors, and Print Production professionals, we offer an expansive portfolio that includes direct mail, employee communications, custom print, digital marketing, and more—all backed by a commitment to innovation and excellence.

Position Summary

We are seeking a skilled and driven Development Engineering Manager to lead and grow our application development team. This individual will be responsible for managing a team of software engineers, overseeing the development and delivery of high-quality software solutions, and helping shape the technical direction of our products. The ideal candidate will be hands-on, experienced in managing engineers, and passionate about mentoring talent, driving team performance, and delivering scalable solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Growth

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of software developers with a focus on performance, engagement, and career development.
• Partner with HR and senior leadership to recruit, onboard, and retain top engineering talent.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing engineering culture.

Project & Technical Management

• Collaborate with product management and stakeholders to plan and deliver features, applications, and tools aligned with business goals.
• Own and manage project timelines, resources, and delivery metrics for the engineering team.
• Ensure adherence to software development best practices, including code quality, testing, and deployment processes.

Architecture & Technical Direction

• Provide guidance on system architecture, technical strategy, and design decisions.
• Evaluate and adopt appropriate technologies and frameworks to ensure long-term scalability and maintainability of applications.
• Promote and enforce coding standards and software development practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between engineering, product, QA, DevOps, and business stakeholders.
• Translate business requirements into technical execution plans.
• Communicate project updates, risks, and technical challenges effectively to non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in software development, including 2+ years in a team leadership or management role.
• Experience delivering enterprise applications.
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, testing, CI/CD, and agile methodologies.
• Proven ability to build and mentor high-performing teams.

Preferred:

• Experience in a mid-sized or scaling company environment.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience with modern tech stacks (e.g. Java, Node.js, React, Angular).
• Understanding of DevOps practices and infrastructure-as-code.

Key Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a passion for execution.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and performance bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities