Software Engineer III - Tech Lead

Horace Mann is seeking an experienced Technical Lead to drive the design, development, and delivery of technology solutions that support our mission of serving educators through innovative insurance and financial products. This role combines deep technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, guiding engineering teams in building and maintaining systems that support life insurance, annuities, and supplemental benefits platforms. The ideal candidate brings strong problem-solving skills, experience working in insurance or financial services, and the ability to modernize legacy systems while ensuring stability, security, and compliance. Key Responsibilities Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable, high-quality IT solutions Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to engineering team members without direct supervisory responsibility Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to gather requirements and translate business needs into effective technical solutions Drive and uphold best practices in coding standards, system architecture, security, and performance optimization Conduct code reviews and support the team in troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues Serve as a subject matter expert and go-to resource for technical decision-making and problem-solving Champion continuous improvement in development processes, tools, and technologies Contribute to the full software development lifecycle, from design through deployment and ongoing support Maintain and enhance applications, including upgrades, patches, and performance tuning Monitor and ensure application reliability, performance, and quality Diagnose and resolve system and application issues in a timely manner Support team development by contributing to training initiatives and knowledge sharing Influence application portfolio planning and contribute to strategic technical direction Partner across teams and departments to strengthen development practices and capabilities Maintain clear and comprehensive documentation for systems, processes, and workflows Stay current with emerging technologies and recommend practical, AI driven solutions Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience) 7+ years of experience in software development, systems engineering, or IT-related roles Proven experience in a technical leadership or senior developer role Strong proficiency in relevant programming languages, frameworks, and tools (e.g., Java, .NET, SQL,DB2,SSIS,C#,COBOL) Experience with system architecture, APIs, and integration patterns Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines Prior experience in Insurance/Financial Services Industry Knowledge of insurance products (Annuities, Life, IUL, Supplemental Health, Group Health, Group Life) Experience integrating AI services into applications Understanding of responsible AI practices, including data privacy, security, and model governance in regulated environments Key Competencies Leadership and team development Strong communication and stakeholder management Strategic thinking with attention to detail Ability to balance hands-on work with leadership responsibilities Strategic thinking with a focus on scalability, reliability, and compliance Salary Range: $89,800.00 - $125,500.00   Salary is commensurate to experience, location, etc. #VIZI #LI-LM1 Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two Springfield, Illinois, teachers who saw a need for quality, affordable auto insurance for teachers. Since then, we’ve broadened our mission to helping all educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow.  And with our broadened mission has come corporate growth:  We serve more than 4,100 school districts nationwide, we’re publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: HMN) and we have more than $12 billion in assets. We’re motivated by the fact that educators take care of our children’s future, and we believe they deserve someone to look after theirs.  We help educators identify their financial goals and develop plans to achieve them.  This includes insurance to protect what they have today and financial products to help them prepare for their future. Our tailored offerings include special rates and benefits for educators. EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status For applicants that are California residents, please review our California Consumer Privacy Notice All applicants should review our Horace Mann Privacy Policy