Manager of Software Engineering and Digital Platforms

For a trusted client in the South of the Netherlands, we are looking for an experienced Manager Software Engineering & Digital Platforms. This is a senior technology leadership role with responsibility for the development, integration, modernization, and operational performance of the organisation’s digital platforms and applications. You will lead the software engineering function, professionalise engineering practices, modernise the existing application landscape, and ensure reliable integration between digital platforms, enterprise applications, SaaS solutions, and external partners. The role: You will be responsible for: Leading and developing the software engineering team and coordinating external development partners.Driving the modernisation and consolidation of legacy applications into a scalable and standardised architecture.Establishing modern software engineering standards, development practices, and governance.Managing integrations between digital platforms, enterprise applications, SaaS solutions, and external partners.Providing direction on solution architecture, APIs, middleware, cloud technologies, and application integration.Prioritising development activities and allocating engineering resources.Leading application development and digital transformation initiatives using Agile methodologies.Ensuring application stability, performance, security, maintainability, and effective lifecycle and release management.Improving engineering quality through automation, technical debt reduction, DevSecOps, and continuous improvement.Evaluating technologies such as cloud-native solutions, APIs, automation, DevSecOps, and AI-enabled applications.Working closely with Enterprise Applications, Infrastructure, Data & AI, and business stakeholders.Managing technology vendors, system integrators, and external development partners. What makes this role interesting: This is not simply a delivery-management position. You will have the mandate to help shape how software engineering is organised and executed, bringing greater structure, consistency, and engineering maturity to the organisation. The role combines people leadership, technology leadership, application modernisation, integration, and organisational change. You should therefore be comfortable challenging existing ways of working, setting standards, creating alignment within engineering teams, and driving those changes through to implementation. You do not need to be the person writing production code every day, but you must have sufficient technical depth to challenge engineers, assess technical decisions, understand architectural trade-offs, and maintain credibility with experienced technical teams. Your background: We are looking for someone with: Approximately 8–10+ years of experience in software engineering, application development, or related technology environments.At least 3 years of technical leadership or engineering management experience.A strong technical foundation in software engineering and solution architecture.Experience leading and developing software engineers and technical professionals.Experience delivering enterprise-scale software solutions.Strong understanding of APIs, system integration, middleware, and cloud technologies.Experience modernising or consolidating legacy application landscapes.Experience establishing or improving software engineering standards and practices.Experience working with outsourced development teams, technology vendors, or system integrators.Experience with Agile software delivery.The ability to combine technical leadership with people management and organisational change. Personal qualities: You are able to operate between technology, people, and business.You can create direction in an environment where different teams and individuals may have different ways of working. You know how to build support for change, but you are also comfortable making decisions and holding teams accountable when necessary.You communicate effectively with engineers, senior management, business stakeholders, and external technology partners and can translate complex technical topics into clear business decisions. Education & language: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.Relevant Cloud, Agile, Software Engineering, Microsoft, or Oracle certifications are advantageous.Fluent English is required.An additional European language is an advantage. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering leader who wants to combine software engineering leadership, platform modernisation, architecture, and transformation in an international organisation. Practical information: Location: South Netherlands, on-site / hybrid Employment: Permanent Start: asap