Job description
Head of Software Engineering
Company Overview
Optimus Search has been a trusted partner in DACH tech recruitment since 2005, driven by the belief that technology achieves its full potential in the right hands. Our expertise spans Engineering and Technology, where we excel in identifying, engaging, and securing elite technical talent faster than the competition.
Job Summary
Location: Berlin, 50% remote
Type: Full time, Permanent
The Role: As Head of Software Engineering for Area 1, you'll take disciplinary responsibility for one of our largest development areas, around 10 to 15 software developers. Alongside the leadership team, you'll shape the transformation of our engineering organization into a modern, scalable structure. This role is centred on people leadership, organizational development and change, not hands on technical delivery. You'll build teams, strengthen collaboration and, over time, establish an additional leadership level with team leaders, creating the foundation for successful software development both now and going forward.
Key Responsibilities
- Disciplinary management of a development area of approximately 10 to 15 software developers
- Further development of a modern engineering organization and sustainable team structures
- Establishment and development of an additional management level with team leaders
- Development, coaching and promotion of employees and future managers
- Building an open leadership, feedback and learning culture
- Supporting organizational change and the further development of existing teams
- Close collaboration with product management, software architecture and other stakeholders
- Supporting the introduction of new technologies, particularly in artificial intelligence
Requirements / Qualifications
- Must have: Several years of experience leading software development or engineering teams
- Experience in disciplinary management of employees
- Technical understanding of modern software architectures and development processes
- A genuine passion for people leadership, organizational development and change management
- Excellent communication skills, empathy and strong decision making ability
- Interest in modern technologies and artificial intelligence
- Very good German skills
- Prior experience leading teams, or clear readiness to take the next step into leading managers
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing executives or other managers
- Background in transformation or change management
- Experience in public sector or standardization related environments
Salary & Benefits
- A key role in building the future of our engineering organization
- Significant creative freedom and the chance to shape structures sustainably
- Long term responsibility for team leadership and the growth of the management organization
- 35 hours per week (full time), with a Maxi Flex model allowing up to 42 hours per week
- 30 days annual leave, plus company holidays between Christmas and New Year
