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Director Of Software Development Jobs in Virginia

Sr Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you'll ... Mentor and guide the professional and technical development of engineers on your team * Encourage ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Mclean, VA · On-site

$255K/yr

Sr Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you'll ... Mentor and guide the professional and technical development of engineers on your team * Encourage ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you'll ... Mentor and guide the professional and technical development of engineers on your team * Encourage ...

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Director Of Software Development information

See Virginia salary details

$103.6K

$176.5K

$238.9K

How much do director of software development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software development in Virginia is $176,452.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $151,700.00 and $204,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Software Development, and how can they be effectively managed?

Directors of Software Development often encounter challenges such as balancing strategic leadership with day-to-day technical oversight, aligning team goals with business objectives, and managing multiple projects with competing priorities. Effective communication across cross-functional teams and stakeholders is crucial for success. To navigate these challenges, directors typically implement agile methodologies, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and prioritize mentorship and career development for their teams.

What is the difference between Director Of Software Development vs Software Engineering Manager?

AspectDirector Of Software DevelopmentSoftware Engineering Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, strategic planning, and long-term goalsManages day-to-day engineering teams, project execution, and technical guidance
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, leadership experienceBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, technical expertise
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level, cross-department collaborationTechnical team management, project-focused
Industry UsageCommon in large organizations and tech companiesCommon in mid to large tech companies and startups

The main difference is that the Director Of Software Development focuses on strategic leadership and overseeing multiple teams, while the Software Engineering Manager handles daily technical management and project execution. Both roles require technical background and leadership skills, but the director role is more strategic and broad in scope.

What Does a Director of Software Development Do?

As a director of software development, your responsibilities are to oversee the organization and daily operations of a software development department. You manage multiple projects, meet with customers to determine their needs, and then pass on the work to project managers who assemble development teams that include QA testers, coders, programmers, and developers. As the director of the department, you are also responsible for HR and administrative duties, such as hiring and orienting new employees and meeting regularly with other department directors.

What does a Director of Software Development do?

A Director of Software Development leads and manages software engineering teams, overseeing the design, development, and delivery of software products. They are responsible for setting technical direction, ensuring high-quality code, mentoring managers and engineers, and aligning software projects with business goals. Additionally, they collaborate with other departments, manage budgets, and help develop strategic plans to ensure the success of software initiatives within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Of Software Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Of Software Development, you need extensive experience in software engineering, strong leadership abilities, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, project management tools, and relevant certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are commonly expected. Excellent communication, strategic thinking, and conflict resolution skills help you lead teams and align technology goals with business objectives. These skills ensure effective project delivery, team motivation, and a strong alignment between technical solutions and organizational strategy.
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Software Development jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Of Software Development jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Of Software Development jobs in Virginia? For Director Of Software Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Director Of Software Development jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Director Of Software Development job openings:
Director Software Engineering

Director Software Engineering

Sierra Nevada Corporation

Herndon, VA • On-site

$260K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Sierra Nevada Corporation rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 27 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 60 rated aerospace companies


Job description

The Director of Software Engineering is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end software development lifecycle, including design, development, implementation, and sustainment. This position demands a deep understanding of both traditional application development and modern DevOps practices to ensure seamless integration, continuous delivery, and operational excellence. The Director will lead a team of skilled managers, developers, analysts, and DevOps professionals, driving innovation and efficiency through the adoption of best practices and technologies.As SNC's corporate team, we provide the company and its business areas with strategic direction and business support spanning executive management, finance and accounting, operations, human resources, legal, IT, information security, facilities, marketing, and communications.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Software Engineering is responsible for defining and communicating the long-term vision and roadmap for software development and DevOps practices while driving organizational transformation toward Agile, CI/CD, and DevOps maturity. This role ensures alignment of technology initiatives with business objectives, champions innovation through technologies such as Infrastructure as Code and AI/ML, and oversees the end-to-end software development lifecycle to guarantee quality, scalability, and security. The Director establishes and enforces best practices for coding standards, secure development (DevSecOps), and compliance frameworks, while implementing and optimizing CI/CD pipelines and containerization across robust cloud environments. The Director also ensures adherence to security and regulatory requirements, proactively manages risks related to software delivery and infrastructure, and maintains operational resilience across platforms.

Qualifications You Must Have:

  • Bachelor's Degree, Information Systems, Business, Computer Science, or related field of study

  • 14+ years of experience in Software Development and/or DevOps, or related position.

  • Higher level relevant degree may substitute for experience.

  • Progressive experience leading technical teams

  • Extensive experience with software development and DevOps

  • Deep knowledge of cloud architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP).

  • Project Management: Proven track record of managing large-scale, complex projects from inception to completion, including budget management and resource allocation. Certification (i.e. PMP, SAFe) preferred

  • Proven leadership abilities inclusive of successful change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, holding people accountable, and conducting yearly reviews

  • Mastery of the ability to drive innovative thinking, lead and inspire your team, instill collaboration, challenge status quo, manage complex situations, delegate authority, and demonstrate ability to adapt to dynamic situations

  • Proven experience and skills in team building, time management, conflict resolution, communication, briefing, presentation, and strategic thinking

  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms; ability to interpret technical requirements

  • Ability to navigate change and uncertainty, make defensible decisions in ambiguity and own those decisions

Qualifications We Prefer:

  • Expertise in building high-performing, cross-functional teams.

  • Driving organizational transformation toward agile and DevOps maturity.

  • Familiarity with AI/ML integration in DevOps, Infrastructure as Code, and observability tools.

  • Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and microservices.

  • Understanding of secure coding practices, DevSecOps, and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).

  • Familiarity with government security requirements.

  • Ability to leverage data-driven decision-making and metrics for DevOps performance (DORA metrics, CI/CD KPIs).

  • Demonstrated passion for ideation, intellectual curiosity, and innovation

  • Experience motivating others to act by creating a shared sense of vision or purpose

  • Proven long-term and strategic perspective that extends beyond the immediate initiatives; visualizes and articulates a clear direction

  • Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space and/or US Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets

Essential Functions:

  • Ability to work on a computer for extended periods.

  • Frequent communication with team members and stakeholders.

  • Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment.

  • Occasional travel may be required.

  • Must be able to lift up to 10 lbs occasionally.

  • Ability to lead and inspire teams in a highly regulated environment.

  • Ability to manage ambiguity and demonstrate resilience and change agility.

  • Utilize advanced analytical skills to interpret complex data sets, providing actionable insights to support decision-making processes.

  • Foster strong collaboration with other departments, including IT, compliance, and operations, to ensure seamless data flow and usage across the organization.

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Estimated Starting Salary Range: $192,613.86 - $264,844.06. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education/training/certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We're known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation's most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.


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