Software Engineering Manager (Backend Chapter Lead)

Job Description:

NAVBLUE is a leading services company, wholly owned by Airbus, dedicated to Flight Operations solutions and services for airlines and aircraft operators, on the ground and onboard. NAVBLUE combines aircraft manufacturer expertise, flight operations know-how and agile development to enhance operational efficiency, optimize resources and increase productivity, for a safe and sustainable aviation. 

As a Software Engineering Manager (Backend Chapter Lead)  you’ll be responsible for driving the technical direction and engineering excellence of our backend discipline within a dynamic Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment. Operating in a matrix structure, you will set the standard for code quality by defining robust design patterns and championing Non-Functional Requirements to ensure our software remains sustainable and scalable. You will balance this technical leadership with people management, empowering your chapter members distributed across various Scrum teams to deliver high-performing, secure and reliable solutions.

Please note that this job offer is for a position based at the Navblue office in Gdańsk.

Responsibilities:

• Technical Strategy: Define and maintain the backend technical vision, ensuring alignment with the broader architectural roadmap.
• Standards & Best Practices: Lead the "Community of Practice" for backend engineering. Enforce coding and testing standards, security best practices, code review guidelines and testing protocols to ensure craftsmanship and consistency across all squads.
• Architecture: Actively participate in architectural reviews. Balance feature delivery with long-term technical health, advocating for the strategic reduction of technical debt and modernization of legacy systems.
• Operational Excellence: Champion a "You Build It, You Run It" culture. Drive initiatives to improve high availability, observability (logging, tracing, metrics), and reliability of backend services.
• Growth & Mentorship: Drive performance reviews and career development conversations. Mentor engineers from Junior to Senior levels, helping them navigate technical and organizational challenges.
• Resource Allocation: Collaborate with ART Trio (PM/SA/RTE) to ensure the right engineers are deployed to the right squads based on skills, business needs, and individual growth goals.
• Psychological Safety: Foster an inclusive environment where engineers feel safe to take calculated risks, voice dissent and innovate.

Must-Haves:

• Engineering Background: 7+ years of hands-on software engineering experience in backend development using C# / .NET with a deep understanding of distributed systems, software performance, databases, concurrency and data structures.
• System Design: Strong grasp of microservices architecture, REST APIs, ASP.NET Web API and AWS cloud-native principles. Ability to understand and review scalable systems design that can handle complex business logic.
• Management Experience: 4+ years of experience directly managing engineers, including performance management, hiring, compensation planning, and handling difficult conversations.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value for stakeholders and to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.

Nice-to-Haves:

• DevOps Mindset: Practical experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., AWS, GitLab), Infrastructure as Code, Docker.
• Experience with Matrix/SAFe organisations: Proven ability to influence without absolute authority and navigate complex matrix structures where your direct reports work in different squads. Experience operating within the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
• Aviation Domain Knowledge: Understanding of airline operations, specifically Operations Control (OCC), Flight Planning, or Crew Management. Experience building mission-critical software where high availability and safety are non-negotiable standards.

We offer: 

• Stable, full-time employment contract
• Flexible working hours with a hybrid model (3 days per week in our Gdansk office at Olivia Business Centre)
• Training and development opportunities to support your career growth (3000 PLN gross per year after the probationary period)
• Co-funding for meals and commuting 
• Access to the latest knowledge and technologies enabling professional development 
• Opportunity to work on international projects and collaborate with global teams, including occasional international travel
• Private medical coverage for you and your family 
• Sport card 
• Mental health support platform 
• Life insurance for you and your family
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Employee referral program bonus (5000 PLN)

Recruitment Roadmap:

• Prescreening meeting with Hiring Manager
• Management skills interview
• Technical, system design interview
• Final interview with the HR Business Partner and Hiring Manager
• Offer

Selection and Hiring Commitment

We thank all applicants for applying. Only selected applicants will be contacted.

Navblue is committed to creating an environment and a culture where everyone feels like they belong no matter who they are or where they are from. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and ability to perform a job. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, colour, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, record of offences, and basis of disability or any protected class. Accommodations will be available on request for candidates throughout the entire recruitment and selection process.

NAVBLUE Gdansk is operating within the Airbus Helicopters Polska Structure. 

At Airbus Helicopters Polska sp. z o.o. Gdańsk Plant, the "Internal procedure for reporting legal violations and taking follow-up actions at Airbus Helicopters Polska sp. z o.o. Gdańsk Plant" is in effect. This procedure was introduced in accordance with the Act of June 14, 2024, on the protection of whistleblowers (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 928). In the event of any detected violations, whistleblowers can submit reports to the following email address: talent@navblue.aero.

Sustainability at NAVBLUE
At NAVBLUE, we recognize that aviation’s innovation must be matched by environmental responsibility. As a digital leader, we provide immediate, actionable solutions to optimize airline operations and drive decarbonization today. Sustainability is not just a goal, but a prerequisite for our growth; it is central to our 2030 strategy to become the industry reference for integrity and stewardship. By joining us, you will play a direct role in this transformation, ensuring the future of air transport is as responsible as it is innovative.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Helicopters Polska Sp. z o.o.

Employment Type:

Permanent

-------

Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Digital

By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.