How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations). What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Director of Product Engineering to lead the team of developers and product squads responsible for the Michigan Online (MO) platform. This is a hands-on leadership role for an individual with a proven track record of delivering large-scale commercial products and driving a high-performing technical team. You will be responsible for the entire software development lifecycle, from technical strategy and architecture to team management and execution. You will oversee our newly formed squad-based teams (Platform, Learner Innovation, Data & Infrastructure, and Assurance), fostering a culture of rapid, high-quality delivery and continuous improvement. Who We Are

About the Center for Academic Innovation Through curricular innovation, tools for student success, and educational research and analytics, the University of Michigan Responsibilities*

Lead and manage the Michigan Online product engineering team, including developers and other technical staff. Drive the technical strategy and architecture for the Michigan Online platform, ensuring it is scalable, reliable, and secure. Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from sprint planning and execution to code reviews and deployment. Oversee and support cross-functional operational squads:Platform Squad - Responsible for CMS integration, reusable content blocks, taxonomy governance, editorial workflows, design system, mobile UX, and rebrand execution.Learner Innovation Squad - Supporting the integration and maintenance of key platforms, such as Canvas, edX, custom learning experiences, cohort learning, Labs/Experiential learning, and APIs for course management.Data & Infrastructure Squad - Responsible for building, scaling, and maintaining the data architecture, connections, and infrastructure for both MO and custom-built learning solutions.Assurance Squad - Responsible for ensuring quality, accessibility, and platform stability across all MO products. Support the day-to-day operations of the technical squads, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Implement and champion best practices for software development, including agile methodologies, CI/CD, automated testing, and observability. Collaborate with stakeholders across CAI to define the product roadmap and translate institutional goals into technical requirements. Define KPIs and success metrics for squads and product features; enable a culture of continuous delivery, demos, and outcome measurement. Mentor and lead by example in a servant leadership model; build trust through cross-disciplinary action and transparent communication. Required Qualifications*

10+ years of experience in product leadership roles, ideally in higher ed, nonprofit, or complex enterprise environments. Proven ownership of large-scale web platforms integrating CMS, CRM, and user-facing features. Demonstrated success in leading and managing a team of software engineers and technical designers to deliver a large-scale, commercial web application or platform. Experience with Agile methodologies, rituals (e.g., sprint planning, retrospectives), and shared KPIs. Extensive experience with the full software development lifecycle, from conception and design to deployment and maintenance. Hands-on familiarity with CMS systems (especially Wagtail, Drupal, or AEM), UX strategy, and data integration. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills; able to translate abstract institutional goals into actionable product strategies. Technically fluent (but not necessarily a developer) - understands trade-offs in Django, REST APIs, frontend development, and DevOps. User-centered mindset; experience using research, analytics, and behavioral insights to drive decisions. Comfortable guiding staff growth and fostering cross-functional learning environments. Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the