Software Development Manager

About Xanadu:
Xanadu’s mission is to build quantum computers that are useful and available to people everywhere.

At Xanadu, we are learners, innovators, researchers, collaborators and problem solvers. We are creating something that has never been built before. Few people in their life will be able to be a part of something like this, where if we are successful, the technologies we develop will solve some of the world’s most challenging problems, and literally change the world. And that is something to be excited about!

Your role and responsibilities:

As a Software Development Manager, you will employ a robust managerial toolbox to independently lead a software development team, typically supporting up to 10 direct reports. This is predominantly a people management and organizational role focused on cultivating execution excellence, team health, and strategic alignment. While a technical background is required to effectively guide engineering delivery, no quantum computing experience is required for this position.

In addition to guiding your team toward the sustainable delivery of high-impact business outcomes while cultivating an environment of growth, psychological safety, and continuous learning, you will:

• Manage a group of software developers, conducting regular one-on-ones, fostering career growth, and aligning development experiences with individual career goals.
• Set clear quarterly and yearly targets, establish performance plans, and hold the team accountable to a high-standard of execution.
• Partner with department heads to plan for headcount needs, and attract, hire, and onboard a diverse and talented team.
• Run efficient Agile processes, optimizing operational cadences to maximize team velocity while minimizing unnecessary overhead.
• Work with tech leads to scope out high-level roadmaps and build structured delivery plans quarter-to-quarter.
• Collaborate with Product Owners to write comprehensive tickets and requirements, occasionally acting as Product Owner for internal technical projects.
• Disseminate critical information, breaking down functional silos to keep the team aligned with broader company priorities and organizational goals.
• Proactively identify new opportunities for the team to execute on initiatives that yield org- and company-wide business value.
• Guide the team through complex technical decisions, resolve ambiguous problems, and eliminate root causes of operational friction.
• Ensure timely execution of milestones, actively manage technical debt, and ensure product results do not come at the expense of long-term architectural health.

Basic qualifications and experience:

• 1–2 years of experience, either as a formal people manager or as a technical team lead.
• Strong foundational knowledge equivalent to a senior individual contributor, including hands‑on experience with Python and Git.
• Deep familiarity with agile development workflows and leading full‑stack projects with expertise in AWS, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC).
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to tailor messaging across cross‑functional stakeholders, paired with strong natural empathy and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Comfort navigating fast‑paced environments, acting as a calming influence during organizational pivots or shifting timelines.

Preferred qualifications and experience:

• 2–5 years of experience as a Software Development Manager.
• Basic knowledge of physics and quantum computing.
• Familiarity with the semiconductor industry.
• Experience using Docker, Infrastructure as Code, and deploying to cloud providers like AWS or Google Cloud.
• Proficiency in leading projects and knowledge of NextJS, React, Python, GraphQL, Terraform and SQL.

This is for a new position. Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and internal benchmarks. The base salary range is 150,000 - 190,000 CAD. You will also be eligible for equity and benefits.

Our values are important. They are fundamental and lay the foundation for culture at Xanadu. Learn more about our values here .

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive, safe, and equitable culture and fostering an environment where our employees feel included, valued, and heard. We are committed to meeting the needs of all individuals and support a barrier‑free workplace. Should you require accommodations at any point during the recruitment process please contact Recruiting at [email protected] .

Please be advised that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the screening and assessment of applicants for this position. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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