Software Project Manager

Software Project Manager

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (Onsite)

Sonatech LLC is seeking a Software Project Manager to oversee the execution of software development projects, ensuring alignment with Sonatech's business objectives, engineering goals, and compliance requirements. This role will primarily focus on software development project management, with secondary responsibilities in IT project oversight, particularly in areas that impact engineering workflows and security compliance.

About Sonatech

Sonatech LLC is a premier undersea acoustics engineering and manufacturing company. Our software solutions play a critical role in enabling advanced SONAR capabilities, ensuring seamless integration with cutting-edge hardware to meet the evolving needs of the US Navy. With a focus on supplying advanced SONAR solutions for the US Navy, our technical expertise, customized design capabilities, and diverse manufacturing abilities have led to Sonatech products being deployed in virtually every class of underwater Navy system currently in operation.

Located five minutes from the beach, we pride ourselves on having a culture of innovation and first-class customer service. Sonatech offers a challenging and rewarding work environment where employees can develop their careers by taking on new responsibilities and providing innovative solutions.

Job Summary

The Software Project Manager will be responsible for leading software development projects while ensuring that IT-related initiatives that impact engineering, security, and software development workflows remain on track.

• Primary Focus: Software project management, Agile execution, SDLC processes, CI/CD pipeline coordination, and software-hardware integration.
• Secondary Focus: IT-related project oversight (e.g., system upgrades, cybersecurity compliance, and infrastructure improvements as they relate to software teams).

The ideal candidate has strong experience managing software development projects in an embedded systems, real-time computing, or cybersecurity-conscious environment. Prior experience with hardware-software integration is beneficial but not required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Software Development Project Management (Primary Focus)

• Plan, track, and manage software projects using Agile, Scrum, or Kanban methodologies.
• Define project scope, schedules, and deliverables in collaboration with engineering teams.
• Oversee CI/CD pipeline execution, ensuring security gates, automated testing, and compliance checks are integrated.
• Manage the software release process, ensuring adherence to licensing, cybersecurity, and documentation requirements.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between software, FPGA, electrical, and mechanical teams to align software releases with hardware integration.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks affecting software development schedules.
• Ensure compliance with CMMC, NIST 800-218, and other software security regulations.

1. IT Project Oversight (Secondary Focus, as it Relates to Engineering)

• Coordinate with IT teams on engineering-related IT infrastructure projects (e.g., system upgrades, security patches, access controls).
• Provide project management oversight for IT initiatives that impact software development, such as network security improvements, development environment enhancements, and compliance initiatives.
• Ensure IT projects that intersect with software engineering are executed on time and meet security and compliance standards, acting primarily as a liaison between the IT and software teams to facilitate alignment and resource coordination. (e.g., CMMC, NIST 800-171).

1. Agile Execution, Compliance, and Stakeholder Communication

• Act as the primary point of contact between software engineering, IT, and company leadership.
• Ensure alignment with Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies, depending on project needs.
• Track and report project progress using tools such as JIRA, OpenProject, Smartsheet, or equivalent project tracking tools.
• Conduct sprint planning, retrospectives, and risk assessments to ensure continuous project improvements.
• Drive continuous process optimization for software development and IT workflows.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4 years of experience in software project management (or software engineering with strong project leadership experience).
• Proven experience managing software development projects, ideally in embedded systems, defense, or real-time computing.
• Strong understanding of Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall methodologies.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, software versioning, and secure release management.
• Familiarity with DevOps and cloud-based development environments.
• Strong organizational skills and experience using JIRA, OpenProject, Smartsheet, or MS Project; familiarity with multiple tools is beneficial, but expertise in at least one is required.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• US Citizenship required with the ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Onsite work required (Remote work is not available for this position).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a software engineer before transitioning into project management.
• Experience managing software development under cybersecurity frameworks (CMMC, NIST 800-218).
• Strong knowledge of embedded Linux, real-time operating systems (RTOS), or FPGA software workflows.
• Familiarity with IT security policies and engineering-related infrastructure projects.
• Experience with automated security testing tools and SBOM management.
• Technical background in C, C , or Python for embedded and systems-level software.

Benefits

• Competitive salary: $80,000 - $160,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance, paid vacation, and sick time
• 3% 401K contribution (no matching required)
• Company-sponsored events and professional development opportunities

Sonatech is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer.

Salary : $80,000 - $160,000