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Software Delivery Lead

Alcon

Lake Forest, CA · Posted October 12, 2026

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About the job

Role Overview

The Software Delivery Lead is responsible for delivery predictability, readiness discipline, and execution orchestration for complex, embedded, and regulated software programs.

This role does not include people management or technical design authority . Instead, it focuses on ensuring that software work starts ready, progresses predictably, risks are surfaced early, and delivery trade‑offs are framed clearly for decision‑making.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Orchestration & Predictability

Own planning and delivery for assigned software programs

Define and enforce readiness criteria before execution begins

Track execution against milestones and commitments

Use delivery indicators and milestone confidence signals to surface risks early

Identify delivery risks, dependencies, and constraint violations proactively

Experience managing delivery in environments with both iterative and milestone-driven work

Status & Planning Coordination

Serve as the primary point of contact for software delivery status , planning coordination, and cross‑functional dependencies

Consolidate delivery inputs into clear, leadership‑ready updates

Create dashboards to communicate delivery status, progress and risks

Ensure consistent delivery messaging across project and program forums

Scope, Resource & Budget Trade‑off Management

Lead structured scope change impact assessments across: Schedule

Capacity

Cost

Dependencies

Risk

Support delivery‑level resource planning and identify capacity risks early

Track software delivery budget and spend at the project or program level

Frame trade‑off options and support commitment resets when required

Cross‑Functional Coordination

Coordinate dependencies across software, hardware, systems, quality, regulatory, and operations teams

Remove blockers or escalate when resolution exceeds team‑level authority

Support one or more projects in parallel , depending on size and complexity

Role Boundaries

This role owns

Delivery orchestration and readiness discipline

Execution tracking and delivery predictability

Delivery risk identification and escalation

Cross‑functional coordination and dependency management

Delivery‑level resource and budget visibility

This role does NOT own

People management or performance management

Software architecture or technical design authority

Formal technical or regulatory approval or sign‑off

Cost center ownership or financial approvals

Tool administration or Scrum‑only ceremony ownership

Authority & Leadership Model

The Senior Software Delivery Lead leads delivery orchestration, readiness, and cross‑functional coordination.

Final trade‑off decisions when scope, schedule, risk, and quality conflict remain with senior leadership.

Strong facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead through ambiguity

Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and coordinate across stakeholder groups

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs. Assoc.+9 yrs.; M.S.+2 yrs.; PhD+0 yrs.)

The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English

5 Years of Relevant Experience

Preferred Qualifications

5+ years as an embedded software developer

Delivery or program certifications such as PMP, SAFe, or equivalent

Experience supporting multiple concurrent programs in regulated environments

8+ years of experience in software delivery, technical program management, or delivery leadership

Experience delivering embedded and/or regulated software , including hardware‑software dependencies

Demonstrated ability to lead through influence without direct authority

Strong executive‑level communication and stakeholder management skills

Experience with delivery and planning tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, Microsoft Project, or Planner

S trong understanding of the software development life cycle and working with technical teams

What Success Looks Like

Predictable software delivery with fewer late surprises

Clear readiness before execution begins

Early visibility into schedule, capacity, and budget risks

Reduced coordination and status burden on Software Leads

Sustainable execution across multiple parallel programs

ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker

If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.

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Compensation and Benefits

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long‑term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short‑term and long‑term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

Pay Range $128,350.00 - $166,100.00

Pay Frequency Annual

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.