James Gottschalk

Engineering Manager | Team Builder | People-First Leader

I’m a deeply empathetic Engineering Manager based in Atlanta, GA, who thrives on growing and mentoring high-performing engineering teams. My focus is on hiring, onboarding, coaching, and career development, ensuring that engineers feel supported and have clear pathways to success. I specialize in team alignment, stakeholder communication, and leadership during complex organizational shifts.

With a background in QA, Platform Engineering, SRE, Accounts & Billing, and 3rd Party Reseller teams, I bring technical context to people management, though my real passion lies in fostering collaborative, psychologically safe environments where engineers can do their best work.

I’m no stranger to the tough conversations—PIPs, realignments, and difficult feedback—but I approach them with honesty, clarity, and care. Above all, I believe in overcommunication as a superpower, asking the right questions, and ensuring teams are always in sync. I have led teams ranging from 2-6 engineers at various levels, from junior to staff and principal.