Software Manager, Critical Applications

Why STARS

At STARS, we come to work every day with a purpose…to save lives. Whether you work in the aircraft or at one of our six bases, everyone at STARS plays a vital role in helping to provide critical care, anywhere. Since flying our first mission in 1985, we have never lost sight of what is most important – our VIPS, or Very Important Patients. Each year, we fly over 3,000 missions, providing world class critical medical care whenever and wherever we are needed, and every team member contributes to helping that VIP. We are a lifeline to the community when time and clinical expertise can make all the difference.

STARS is seeking a Software Manager, Critical Applications at our Calgary base to lead the selection, deployment, configuration, and continuous improvement of software systems that power our 24/7 Emergency Link Centre (ELC). This role is pivotal in ensuring the reliability, usability, and effectiveness of mission-critical applications that support both the public 911 system and industrial emergency services.
You will manage a small, agile team and collaborate closely with dispatchers, clinical staff, and software teams to deliver a modern, integrated, and user-centered technology ecosystem. Your work will directly impact the lives of patients and the efficiency of emergency response operations. Your product leadership will shape the future of a holistic tech-enabled workflow that spans emergency dispatch, provincial 911 integrations, radio communication, telephony systems, geospatial capabilities, air crew communication, flight following, artificial intelligence, data tracking and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Management

• Develop and execute a long-term roadmap for dispatch and critical operations software
• Prioritize features and improvements based on user feedback, operational needs, and technical feasibility
• Lead product discovery, user research, and solution design, informed by ELC stakeholders
• Research and identify effective software options, with a preference for off-the-shelf (OTS) and/or open-source technology where available, and custom software when necessary. Develop specifications for custom software when necessary

Software Configuration & Integration

• Configure and customize off-the-shelf (OTS) and custom-built applications
• Integrate disparate systems using APIs, scripting, and automation tools
• Ensure systems are resilient, scalable, and aligned with STARS' operational goals

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead a small team of system specialists, fostering a culture of service, empathy, responsiveness, and continuous improvement
• Communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders and design training and support

Technical Execution

• Write and optimize SQL queries and stored procedures for configuration of existing flight dispatch software
• Work with GIS and mapping tools to support location-based dispatching
• Automate workflows and data processes. Leverage APIs and data standards for system interoperability

Operational Support

• Ensure high availability and performance of critical applications in a 24x7 environment
• Develop a process to handle support tickets, incidents, and change requests with urgency and care. Participate in on-call rotations as needed

Qualifications & Requirements:

• 7+ years in product management, software development, or systems integration
• Proven experience with both custom software development and off-the-shelf software integration
• Strong SQL and database management skills
• Familiarity with GIS, mapping, and location-based services
• Experience with APIs, JSON, data standards, and scripting for automation
• Excellent communication, servant leadership, and interpersonal skills, especially in support of non-technical users
• Emotional maturity and resilience to work closely in support of critical care dispatchers who are handling life-and-limb emergencies
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated leadership in managing small, high-performing teams
  • Experience in emergency services, healthcare, or mission-critical environments
  • Individual experience in software development or systems architecture

What we offer:

At STARS, every day we come to work with a purpose, to save lives. Maybe that's your purpose too.

We provide a strong total reward offering inclusive of a salary tailored to your education and experience, comprehensive organization-paid health and dental benefits, free parking and more. But the real reward is joining a legacy – a legacy of lives saved, of hope in the fact of the unimaginable, and of pride in making a difference.

When you join STARS, you become part of a community that knows we're stronger together. It takes a team to deliver the highest standards of care, and we need you to help us be our best.

Elevate your career. Be part of something bigger. Be part of STARS.

How to Apply/ Deadline to apply:

If you are the person we are looking for and would like to make a difference with your career, please make sure to apply by closing date: July 29, 2025

Want to learn more?

Looking to support life-saving missions from a business perspective? See how our Corporate Services team helps STARS run efficiently and effectively. [Learn More About Corporate Services]

By clicking "submit", you provide Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) consent to collect, use and disclose your personal information for the purpose of evaluating, establishing and/or managing an employment relationship with you. You acknowledge that your personal information may be transferred outside Canada, and may be accessible to law enforcement and national security authorities outside Canada. If you have questions about this consent, or wish to obtain further details about STARS' privacy practices, please contact our privacy officer at [email protected] or review our privacy policy at https://stars.ca/privacy-policy/ .

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