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Manager, Systems Development Software

Abbott · Madison, WI · $99,300–$198,700 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a critical software project you delivered under pressure. How did you keep it on track?

What they are checking: Whether they can deliver urgent work without burning out the team or cutting quality.

Tell me about a time you coached an engineer who was struggling.

What they are checking: Whether they coach with care and clear expectations, which the posting emphasizes.

How do you build an innovative team environment while still meeting deadlines?

What they are checking: Whether they make room for new ideas without losing focus on delivery.

How do you communicate project status to leaders at different levels?

What they are checking: Whether they tailor updates so each audience gets what they need, without hiding problems.

What would you do

A business stakeholder brings an urgent problem with no clear requirements. How do you start?

What they are checking: Whether they can shape vague requests into a workable solution, as the posting asks.

How do you decide how much technical debt to pay down versus building new features?

What they are checking: Whether they can explain debt tradeoffs in business terms to stakeholders.

Two of your senior engineers disagree strongly on a design. How do you resolve it?

What they are checking: Whether they can settle technical disputes fairly and keep both engineers engaged.

About the work

The posting lists Java, C, C++, JavaScript, Python, SQL, PL/SQL and .NET. Which do you know best, and how hands-on do you stay as a manager?

What they are checking: Whether they have real technical depth and an honest view of their coding role as a leader.

How would you raise engineering capabilities around coding, testing and deployment practices on your team?

What they are checking: Whether they have a concrete plan for practices like code review, automated testing and CI/CD.

How does working in a regulated diagnostics company change how you manage software releases?

What they are checking: Whether they understand validation and change control for systems that support lab and patient work.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Position Overview The Manager, Systems Development Software will lead a team in the successful delivery of critical software projects. This role will work with cross-functional teams and various business stakeholders to devise solutions to urgent business challenges. This role will communicate with project managers and leaders at all levels of our business. This individual will be responsible for continued successful support of Software Engineering and their mission to deliver critical development at Abbott Cancer Diagnostics in a wide range of areas of the business. Emphasis will be placed on the person’s technical and leadership skills as well as ability to coach their team to success and foster an innovative team environment. Essential Duties include but are not limited to the following: • Use programming languages such as Java, C, C++, JavaScript, Python, SQL, PL/SQL, .NET. • Raise capabilities in the engineering team; including, but not limited to, developing coding, testing, and deployment protocols and implementing best practices. • Maintain strong relationships and transparency with key stakeholders (Lab, Sales, Support, Customers, and Affiliates). • Partner with business and technology teams to prioritize roadmaps, requirements, balance business need with capacity, and technology constraints. • Work with business stakeholders and engineering teams to design innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by the Company. • Supervise staff; including, but not limited to, organize and prioritize work, write/conduct performance reviews, train/develop, and manage work performance. • Communicate goals clearly to employees to ensure understanding and success in achieving them. • Motivate and inspire employees to do their best work through coaching. • Maintain morale and support employee engagement initiatives. • Apply good process management, negotiating, influencing, and problem resolution skills. • Prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment. • Provide excellent project communication and stakeholder management skills. • Execute project delivery to client satisfaction on time, on budget with quality. • Exhibit strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to articulate complex technical ideas in easy-to-understand business terms. • Facilitate results through others, particularly by establishing relationships, effective controls, and leading in a managed service environment. • Drive continuous improvements in organizational performance and efficiency, and career development for employees. • Create flowcharts, diagrams, and other documentation as needed to capture system requirements and communicate system functionality. • Participate in and lead design discussions. • Participate in software engineering as time allows. • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures. • Regular and reliable attendance. • Ability to lift up to 10 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day. • Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day. • Ability and means to travel between Abbott Cancer Diagnostics locations. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a field related to the essential duties of the job; or High School Degree/General Education Diploma and 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of Bachelor’s degree. • 7+ years of experience in Information Technology with increasing responsibility and advancing technical skills. • 3+ years of experience leading or directing people and/or project teams. • Proficiency of object-oriented, service-oriented architecture, micro-service architecture, and programming principals. • Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation. • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. Preferred Qualifications • Experience with one of the following areas: ERP, LIMS, Bioinformatics, or clinical data management. • Experience working in a regulated environment (SOX, HIPAA, CLIA, GCP, FDA, ISO-13485, and/or IEC-62304). • Demonstrated understanding of the Clinical Lab environment and lab processes. • Enterprise class information technology experience (Custom-COTS Hybrid, Integrated Multi-Channel End-User, Multiple Mobile Platform Delivery, Distributed Big Data). The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Product Development DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 5505 Endeavor Ln ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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