Senior Manager - Device Software Development

Purpose of this position / Position summary:

The Senior Manager – Device Software Development (Refraction and Centration) leads the end-to-end software development of ZEISS refraction and centration devices, ensuring delivery of high-quality, reliable, and compliant solutions. The role combines strong technical expertise in medical device software with people leadership, driving architecture, development, testing, re-lease, and lifecycle management. It collaborates with cross-functional teams to translate product and clinical needs into scalable solutions, supporting innovation, usability, and long-term product reliability within a regulated global environment.

Primary duties and responsibilities:

• Device Software Development Leadership
• Lead full lifecycle development and maintenance of device software, including requirement, architecture, implementation, integration, testing, release, and support.
• Define and evolve scalable, reliable, and maintainable software architectures.
• Ensure seamless integration between software, hardware, sensors, and optical systems.
• Drive best practices in design, coding, cybersecurity, data privacy, and defect prevention aligned with medical device standards.

Cross-Functional Product Development and Systems Integration:

• Collaborate with product management, systems engineering, hardware, optics, usability, and quality teams.
• Translate customer, clinical, and business needs into clear requirements and implementation plans.
• Ensure alignment with timelines, product goals, and system architecture.
• Emphasize traceability, risk management, and disciplined change control in a regulated environment.

Quality, Compliance, and Delivery Excellence:

• Establish and maintain high standards for quality, compliance, and engineering discipline.
• Drive robust testing strategies, documentation, configuration management, and traceability.
• Ensure secure development practices and regulatory adherence.
• Balance delivery speed with product reliability, maintainability, and service readiness.

People Leadership and Engineering Culture:

• Build and lead a high-performing software engineering team.
• Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous learning, and quality.
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and career development support.
• Align individual growth with team and product objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Global Collaboration:

• Partner with global R&D, quality, regulatory, service, manufacturing, and product teams.
• Translate product strategies into scalable and supportable software solutions.
• Drive effective collaboration across geographies and disciplines.
• Strengthen software development as a key enabler of innovation and customer value.

Education requirements / Experience / Job Specifications :

• Bachelors or masters degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Electronics, Bio-medical Engineering, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in software engineering for medical devices, including leadership roles.
• Proven track record delivering complex product software across the lifecycle
• Experience in regulated environments such as medical technology or diagnostics preferred.
• Strong background in software interacting with hardware, sensors, and user interfaces.
• Experience working in cross-functional and global teams.

Technical Skills:

• Strong expertise in Windows-based device software (Linux is a plus).
• Proficiency in requirements engineering, architecture, development, integration, and testing.
• Knowledge of medical device lifecycle processes, risk management, and documentation.
• Experience in cybersecurity, data privacy, and secure development practices.
• Strong focus on product quality, diagno