Manager, Software Development
The Pokémon Company International · Bellevue, WA
- On site
- Full-time
- $190,000 / year
- Bellevue, WA
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Job highlights
- Manage and develop software applications and teams.
- Lead, coach, and mentor Software Engineers.
- Define and own the future roadmap.
- Guide architectural decisions for scalable solutions.
- Drive AI adoption for enhanced productivity.
About the role
Get To Know The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com.
Get to know the role
Job Title: Manager, Software Development
Job Summary: Manages and oversees the design and development of software applications.
FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt
People Manager: Yes
What you’ll do
- Lead, coach, and manage a team of Software Engineers, fostering strong engineering practices and effective collaboration with cross‑functional technology teams and business stakeholders in an agile environment.
- Define and own the future‑state roadmap for the portfolio, providing regular updates on progress, delivery milestones, and key performance indicators.
- Guide design, analysis, and architectural decision‑making across platforms to deliver scalable, end‑to‑end solutions that balance business needs, cost considerations, and system impact.
- Lead and facilitate multi‑team design and planning sessions to align on solution approaches and execution strategies.
- Drive exploration, development, and adoption of AI‑enabled solutions to improve team productivity, platform performance, and overall delivery outcomes.
- Provide technical and strategic leadership across initiatives, including setting standards, contributing to organization‑wide processes, and participating in committees or cross‑team efforts that improve consistency and quality.
- Develop team members through coaching, feedback, and performance management, including establishing development plans and mentoring current and future leaders.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation that encourages thoughtful experimentation and challenges the status quo in support of business outcomes.
What you’ll bring
- 2–5 years of demonstrated experience leading and managing engineering teams or complex technical initiatives.
- 5+ years of experience building, operating, or overseeing modern, multi‑tier digital applications and services in production environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience leading teams working with modern JavaScript ecosystems, including React and React‑based frameworks such as Next.js, or equivalent technologies.
- Strong understanding of web and service fundamentals, including HTTP, RESTful APIs, authentication, caching, and browser‑server interactions.
- Experience working with cloud‑native architectures, including containerized workloads (EKS, ECS) and managed data stores (RDS, DynamoDB) on AWS or comparable cloud platforms.
- Proven ability to lead both teams and projects, influence across a highly matrixed organization, and effectively resolve organizational and delivery challenges.
- Experience operating in distributed, scalable production environments with awareness of monitoring, reliability, and operational best practices.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage and influence both technical and non‑technical stakeholders at all levels.
- Results‑oriented mindset with a strong customer focus, attention to quality, and commitment to execution.
- Growth mindset with the ability to adopt new practices and lead their adoption across teams.
- Proficiency with standard productivity and collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office Suite and Atlassian products.
Salary Range
For this role, new hires generally start between $141,000.00 - $188,000.00 per year. The full range is $141,000.00 - $254,000.00 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.
How You’ll Be Successful
- Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
- Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
- Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
- Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
- Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a “team first” mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
- Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.
What To Expect
- An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
- Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
- Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
- 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
- Generous paid family leave.
- Employer-paid life insurance.
- Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
- US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
- UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
- Fitness reimbursement.
- Commuter benefit.
- LinkedIn learning.
- Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
- Hybrid work environment.
Key skills/competency
- Software Development Management
- Team Leadership
- Agile Methodologies
- Roadmap Planning
- Architectural Decision-Making
- AI Solutions
- Technical Leadership
- Mentoring and Coaching
- Cloud-Native Architectures
- JavaScript Ecosystems
Skills & topics
- Software Development Manager
- Team Leadership
- Agile
- React
- AWS
- JavaScript
- API
- Cloud Architecture
- Software Engineering
- Tech Lead
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight leadership experience, team management (2-5 years), and software development (5+ years).
- Showcase technical skills: Emphasize experience with JavaScript, React, Next.js, cloud platforms (AWS), and APIs.
- Demonstrate leadership qualities: Provide examples of influencing, problem-solving, and fostering innovation.
- Express passion for Pokémon: Connect your experience to the brand's values and culture.
- Prepare for hybrid environment: Understand expectations for collaboration and on-site presence.
Technical preparation
Review modern JavaScript and React frameworks.,Understand AWS services and cloud-native architectures.,Practice designing scalable, RESTful APIs.,Prepare to discuss system monitoring and reliability.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you led a team through failure.,How do you foster innovation and experimentation?,Share an example of influencing stakeholders.,How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Manager, Software Development role at The Pokémon Company International?
- The salary range for the Manager, Software Development role at The Pokémon Company International is $141,000.00 - $254,000.00 per year. New hires typically start between $141,000.00 and $188,000.00 annually, with the final offer depending on individual qualifications and experience.
- What are the key technical skills required for the Manager, Software Development position?
- Key technical skills for the Manager, Software Development role include experience with modern JavaScript ecosystems (React, Next.js), web and service fundamentals (HTTP, RESTful APIs), cloud-native architectures (AWS, EKS, ECS, RDS, DynamoDB), and operational best practices for distributed systems.
- What is the work arrangement for this Manager, Software Development role?
- This Manager, Software Development role operates within a hybrid work environment, balancing remote and in-office collaboration.
- Does The Pokémon Company International offer relocation assistance for this role?
- Yes, The Pokémon Company International offers a comprehensive relocation package for certain roles, which may apply to the Manager, Software Development position.
- What kind of leadership experience is needed for the Manager, Software Development role?
- The Manager, Software Development role requires 2-5 years of demonstrated experience leading and managing engineering teams or complex technical initiatives, alongside 5+ years of experience building and operating digital applications and services.
- How does The Pokémon Company International foster employee development?
- The Pokémon Company International fosters employee development through coaching, feedback, performance management, establishing development plans, and mentoring current and future leaders. They also offer LinkedIn Learning resources.
- What is the company culture like at The Pokémon Company International?
- The culture at The Pokémon Company International is described as innovative and driven by impact, with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement, and a passion for the Pokémon brand. They emphasize integrity, respect, quality, and customer delight.