Head of Software Development

Quick Facts

• Role: Head of Software Development (Software Development & QA)

• Scope: Leads software development and QA standards and delivery for a 70+ person engineering organization (indirectly)

• Location/Work model: Kraków, hybrid (minimum 1 day/week in the office)

• Collaboration: B2B or UoP

Description

Lead the organization’s Software Development and QA function by managing engineering managers and enforcing engineering standards and delivery processes. Own RFC and release governance (CCB, Definition of Done, versioning, multi-product release planning) while optimizing engineering flow metrics (e.g., DORA). Sponsor architectural and technology modernization initiatives with the Lead Architect and ensure secure SDLC compliance with ISO 27001, NIST, and SOC 2.

Responsibilities

• Direct dev and QA organization (70+ people indirectly) through management of managers, skills development, and accountability for project delivery

• Manage staffing planning, budget for developer tools, and external supplier spend on the production side

• Collaborate with HR to create transparent compensation frameworks and career paths

• Run the RFC process from requirements to implementation for multiple customers and products

• Supervise the software release process up to production readiness, including change management (CCB), Definition of Done, versioning policy, and multi-product release planning

• Prioritize engineering capacity and allocate teams to client work in a dynamic environment

• Set and enforce SDLC standards: CI/CD, branching strategy, code review, automated testing, and observability-by-design

• Track engineering flow metrics (e.g., DORA) and continuously optimize production processes

• Sponsor architectural directions and technology modernization programs (e.g., Java/JDK, Cloud) with the Lead Architect

• Ensure production processes follow secure SDLC principles and standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, and SOC 2

Requirements

• 8–12 years of software engineering experience, including 4+ years managing managers

• Experience in B2B/SaaS product companies

• Experience with large-scale change and release management (CCB, DoD, versioning, multi-product planning)

• Experience running RFC processes from requirements to implementation

• Strong knowledge of modern SDLC practices (CI/CD, branching, code review, automated tests, DORA, observability)

• Architecture and secure SDLC knowledge to set direction with the Lead Architect and Security & Compliance

• Fluent English and Polish

Benefits

• MyBenefit cafeteria system

• Allianz medical care

• Allianz life insurance

• Individual English lessons

• Psychological support