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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in Portland, OR

Onto

Senior Director of Software Engineering

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$275K/yr

Job Summary & Responsibilities Position Overview Onto Innovation is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead the software development function for our Metrology ...

Nike

Director, Software Engineering

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$263K/yr

The Director of Engineering will lead, support and develop team members, manage priorities and ... Experience with Agile software development, DevOps, observability tools, and modern software ...

Nike

Manager, Software Engineering

Beaverton, OR · On-site

Who You'll Work With You will lead a team of software engineers within Nike's Consumer Product & Innovation technology organization and report to the Engineering Director. You will work closely with ...

Biamp

Software Engineering Manager

Beaverton, OR

Reporting to the Director of Software, this role focuses on guiding, mentoring, and developing engineers to deliver technical excellence and accelerate shipping. The ideal candidate champions modern ...

Biamp

Software Engineering Manager

Beaverton, OR · On-site

Reporting to the Director of Software, this role focuses on guiding, mentoring, and developing engineers to deliver technical excellence and accelerate shipping. The ideal candidate champions modern ...

Intel

Software Engineering Leader

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$233K - $330K/yr

You will nurture and develop teams of experienced engineers across multiple software projects and locations. Key Responsibilities: Goal setting * Define and drive business vision and strategy to ...

Nike

Manager, Software Engineering

Beaverton, OR · On-site

... Director. You will work day-to-day with the a team of engineers, the team's Product Manager and ... Significant experience in software engineering, demonstrable knowledge of the set of roles, skills ...

Kickstand

Senior Software Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

About Kickstand At Kickstand, we like to work with passionate people who enjoy solving challenging problems, learning from each other, and getting better at the craft of software engineering. We take ...

nLIGHT

Software/Firmware Engineering Manager

Camas, WA

$115K - $137K/yr

Experience managing/directing software engineering development activities, and/or leading R&D teams through the spectrum of NPI Phases and Gates. Ability to motivate, focus, and coach project staff.

nLIGHT

Software/Firmware Engineering Manager

Camas, WA · On-site

$115K - $137K/yr

... directing software engineering development activities, and/or leading R&D teams through the spectrum of NPI Phases and Gates. Ability to motivate, focus, and coach project staff. Ability to influence ...

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All JobsOf Software Engineering JobsDirector Of Software Engineering JobsDirector Of Software Engineering Jobs in Portland, OR

Director Of Software Engineering information

See Portland, OR salary details

$147.4K

$269.4K

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

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software engineering in Portland, OR is $258,676.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $268,300.00 and $268,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of software engineering, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Software Engineering, you need deep technical expertise in software development, proven leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms, project management tools (like Jira), and experience with architectural frameworks are typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and motivate teams are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure effective project delivery, foster innovation, and build high-performing teams aligned with organizational goals.

What does a director of software engineering do?

A Director of Software Engineering leads and manages software development teams within an organization. They oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of software projects, ensuring high quality and timely completion. Their responsibilities include defining technical strategy, mentoring engineering managers and developers, fostering collaboration, and aligning technology initiatives with business goals. Additionally, they often play a key role in recruitment, budgeting, and setting best practices for software development processes.

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

AspectDirector Of Software EngineeringSoftware Development Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, sets strategic goals, manages budgets, and aligns software projects with business objectives.Manages day-to-day software development teams, ensures project delivery, and coordinates technical tasks.
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Computer Science or related field, extensive experience in software development, leadership skills.Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field, strong technical background, experience managing development teams.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, cross-team collaboration, executive communication, often in larger organizations.Technical focus, project management, direct team oversight, often in mid-sized companies.

The main difference is that the Director Of Software Engineering focuses on strategic leadership and organizational oversight, while the Software Development Manager handles daily team management and project execution. Both roles require technical expertise and leadership skills, but the director role involves broader business alignment and higher-level decision-making.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of software engineering when managing cross-functional teams?

A Director of Software Engineering often manages teams composed of engineers, product managers, and designers, which can present challenges in aligning priorities and communication styles. Balancing the technical needs of the engineering team with broader business objectives requires clear communication and strong leadership. Additionally, adapting to rapidly changing technology while ensuring consistent delivery and maintaining team morale is a key challenge. Proactive stakeholder management and fostering a culture of collaboration are essential for success in this role.

What does a director of software engineering do?

As a director of software engineering, your responsibilities are to oversee the daily operations of the software engineering department and the long-term application of strategic planning for the department. You are ultimately responsible for creating policies and objectives for the department in collaboration with other director-level positions in the company. You are also heavily involved in the department’s finances and project management, and you often oversee multiple projects. At larger companies, you may have fewer technical duties, but for small and mid-sized companies, you may code or provide technical and managerial expertise on specific projects.

More about Director Of Software Engineering jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Of Software Engineering jobs in Portland, OR? The most popular types of Of Software Engineering jobs in Portland, OR are:
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What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Director Of Software Engineering jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Director Of Software Engineering job openings:
Director Of Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Software Engineering job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $258,676 per year, or $124.4 per hour.

Director of Software Engineering

NANOVERSE TECHNOLOGIES LTD

Beaverton, OR • On-site

$201K - $251K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

About Us:

Nanoverse Technologies is a well-funded startup with a Center of Excellence in Beaverton, Oregon. We create innovative metrology and laser processing that have a disruptive and immediate impact in high technology industries. This is a unique opportunity to join a rapidly growing company developing best-in-class solutions.


About You:

  • You deeply understand what it takes to build and ship software in a fast-moving environment. You are not waiting to manage from a distance; you want to be close to the work, close to the team, and close to the product.
  • You simplify. You reduce ambiguity for your team, your peers, and your leadership. You document decisions, set clear expectations, and communicate proactively.
  • You understand that engineering exists to deliver business outcomes. You connect your team’s work to customer value and company goals.
  • You have a track record of attracting and retaining strong people. You build for where the company is going, not just where it is today. You put foundations in place before they are urgently needed.


About the Role

This role spans two interconnected dimensions (Front-Line Manager and Strategic Leader) that will evolve as the company grows. In the first year, expect to spend significant time in both as you take on direct management of the team, while simultaneously beginning to formulate how the software department should be structured for scaling. Beyond the first year, the balance shifts toward leadership and strategy as the team matures. You will need to partner with product and leadership to enable on the software roadmap.


Assignments call for up to 5% domestic and international travel.


Key Responsibilities

  • Directly manage a team of 12 engineers (a mix of frontend, backend, and full-stack), with plans to grow significantly over the next 18-24 months.
  • Run effect sprint planning, standups, retrospectives, and 1:1s, maintaining high team velocity and morale.
  • Recruit, interview, and hire exceptional engineering talent at all levels.
  • Build a culture of ownership, candid feedback, and continuous improvement
  • Coach and mentor engineers at all levels, creating clear career development paths and growth opportunities.
  • Manage team performance proactively – recognizing strong contributors and addressing performance gaps with clarity and care.
  • Manage contractor and vendor relationships where applicable.
  • Partner closely with the CTO, VP of Engineering, and Principal SW Architect to translate business goals into actionable engineering roadmap.
  • Define and implement software development processes suitable for current and future stages of the company.
  • Drive automation in testing, deployment, and diagnostics to improve cycle time and quality.


Qualifications

Required

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
  • 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with 5+ years in technical leadership or management roles.
  • Proven track record of leading and growing engineering teams in a startup, scale-up, or high-growth technology environment.
  • Strong experience with industrial systems ideally in semiconductor capital equipment or adjacent industries.
  • Excellent communication skills – able to synthesize technical complexity and translate business needs into engineering direction for the software team.

Preferred

  • Prior experience in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, automation, robotics, or precision instrumentation.
  • Experience scaling a software team in a startup or growth‑stage company.
  • Exposure to AI/ML or advanced analytics in equipment or manufacturing contexts.
  • Experience with tools like Azure DevOps, Jira, Confluence, or equivalent
  • Experience with agile methodologies and lightweight processes appropriate for lean teams



This role is based in Beaverton OR.