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Director Of Software Engineering Jobs in Reston, VA

Virtru

Director of Delivery Engineering

Washington, DC

$235K - $255K/yr

As the Director of Delivery Engineering, you'll lead a team of software engineers who sit at the intersection of product engineering and customer delivery. Your team builds the tools, automation, and ...

Capital One

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Mclean, VA

$255.70K/yr

Sr Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you'll work on everything from customer-facing web and mobile applications using cutting-edge open source ...

Capital One

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Mclean, VA · On-site

$255.70K/yr

Sr Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you'll work on everything from customer-facing web and mobile applications using cutting-edge open source ...

Aquinas Consulting

Director, Engineering AI

Bethesda, MD · On-site +1

If you have eight or more years of software engineering experience and a strong background in AI/ML ... Director, AI Engineering Job Responsibilities: * Lead and advise agile teams as the AI Technology ...

MasterCard

Director, Software Engineering

Arlington, VA · Hybrid

$291.10K/yr

Title and Summary Director, Software Engineering Overview: Mastercard's Data Analytics and AI ... As part of the Services Technology organization, the Data Analytics and AI program is a ...

SAIC

Software Assurance Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site +1

ORA_HYBRID Description SAIC is seeking a highly skilled Engineering professional to support the Director for Software Assurance within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and ...

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Director Of Software Engineering information

See Reston, VA salary details

$144.6K

$264.2K

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

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of software engineering in Reston, VA is $253,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $263,200.00 and $263,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Senior engineering roles such as Director of Software Engineering, Principal Engineer, or VP of Engineering can reach or exceed $500,000 in total compensation, especially in high-cost living areas or large tech companies. These positions often require extensive experience, leadership skills, and expertise in areas like cloud computing, software architecture, or technical management.

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.

More about Director Of Software Engineering jobs
What are popular job titles related to Director Of Software Engineering jobs in Reston, VA? For Director Of Software Engineering jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Of Software Engineering jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Of Software Engineering jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Of Software Engineering jobs? Cities near Reston, VA 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 Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $253,761 per year, or $122 per hour.

Senior Director, Software Engineering

The Nuclear Company

Washington, DC • On-site

$286.50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Senior Director of Software Engineering
About The Nuclear Company
The Nuclear Company (TNC) is at the forefront of America's nuclear renaissance, delivering the abundant, clean, reliable energy necessary for our nation to remain the world's leader. We're not just building nuclear plants - we're revolutionizing how they're built.
Our Strategic Advantage: Nuclear OS will be built by the team that will use it. No other effort in the industry is embedding its technology staff alongside the engineering, procurement and construction teams responsible for execution. Others attempt to build software from the outside, disconnected from the realities of nuclear deployment. The Nuclear Company is building a system designed from the inside - ensuring Nuclear OS will address the challenges that have stalled nuclear projects for decades.
About Nuclear OS (NOS)
Nuclear OS is a secure, AI-native digital platform being developed jointly by The Nuclear Company and Palantir Technologies to transform the deployment of a fleet of nuclear facilities. It serves as an integrated operating system for managing every aspect of nuclear plant construction and commissioning - from design and scheduling to supply chain, field operations, and regulatory compliance.
Revolutionary Impact: Nuclear OS will be a comprehensive, AI-driven digital platform designed to simplify and speed up construction of nuclear reactors. Unlike existing tools that only solve aspects of a problem, Nuclear OS will be designed to integrate all phases of nuclear deployment into a single, intelligent, and automated system.
Position Overview
As Director of Software Engineering, you will lead the development of Nuclear OS, the first purpose-built digital platform to digitize, automate, and streamline the development and deployment of fleet-scale nuclear power plants. This is more than software; it is an operational paradigm shift that aligns people, data, and technology in service of deploying nuclear energy infrastructure with greater predictability, transparency, and excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
  • Drive the technical vision and roadmap for Nuclear OS as a comprehensive AI-driven digital platform
  • Lead cross-functional collaboration between software engineering, nuclear engineering, procurement, and construction teams
  • Establish Nuclear OS as a long-term strategic asset capable of extension to plant operations, fleet management, and decommissioning.

Technical Architecture & Development
  • Oversee the foundational architecture combining Palantir's powerful data integration and modeling capabilities with nuclear-specific functionality.
  • Ensure end- to -end system integration where improvements in one area immediately benefit all other areas through a common platform.
  • Lead development of core NOS components including Data Integration and Ontology, AI/ML Deployment and Intelligent Assistance, DevSecOps and Deployment Strategy, Investigative Analytics and Root Cause Analysis, and Regulatory Compliance and Workflow Automation

Team Leadership & Development
  • Build and lead a world-class software engineering organization.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, quality, and rapid iteration.
  • Develop training programs targeting 50% reduction in onboarding time and 90% adoption rate across teams.
  • Implement AR-powered simulations and hands-on tutorials for workforce adoption.

Partnership & Collaboration
  • Work closely with Palantir Technologies to leverage their platform capabilities.
  • Ensure effective oversight of vendors and contractors, particularly those unfamiliar with nuclear requirements.
  • Manage segregated collaboration workspaces for partners with appropriate export control compliance

Required Qualifications
Technical Excellence
  • 15+ years of software engineering experience with 8+ years in leadership roles
  • Proven track record building and scaling enterprise software platforms
  • Deep expertise in AI/ML systems, data integration, and cloud-native architecture
  • Experience with DevSecOps practices and security frameworks
  • Knowledge of regulatory compliance systems and workflow automation

Industry Experience
  • Experience in highly regulated industries (nuclear, aerospace, defense, or similar)
  • Understanding of complex engineering and construction workflows
  • Familiarity with safety-critical systems and quality assurance processes
  • Experience with export control regulations and secure collaboration environments

Leadership Capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to lead large, distributed engineering teams
  • Experience managing partnerships with major technology vendors
  • Track record of delivering complex, mission-critical software systems on time and budget
  • Strong communication skills with ability to interface with C-suite executives and technical teams

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
  • Experience in nuclear industry or large-scale infrastructure projects
  • Background in construction management or industrial project execution
  • Familiarity with Palantir technologies or similar data integration platforms
  • Security clearance eligibility

What We Offer
  • Mission-Critical Impact: Lead the development of technology that will transform America's energy infrastructure
  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with the latest AI/ML technologies and data integration platforms
  • Strategic Partnership: Collaborate directly with Palantir Technologies on groundbreaking solutions
  • Industry Leadership: Pioneer new standards for project execution in the nuclear industry that could become a model worldwide
  • Competitive Compensation: Equity participation in America's nuclear renaissance
  • Professional Growth: Opportunity to build and lead a world-class engineering organization

Ready to Power America's Future?
Join us in making on-time, on-budget nuclear a reality and light the way for the world's energy future. Nuclear OS will be not just software, but a strategic asset that propels TNC to the forefront of clean energy infrastructure development.
Apply now to lead the technology that will define the future of nuclear energy.
Benefits:
  • Competitive compensation packages
  • 401k with company match
  • Medical, dental, vision plans
  • Generous vacation policy, plus holidays

Estimated Starting Salary Range:
The estimated starting salary range for this role is $220,000 - $255,000 annually less applicable withholdings and deductions, paid on asemi-monthly basis. The actual salary offered may vary based on relevant factors as determined in the Company's discretion, which may include experience, qualifications, tenure, skill set, availability of qualified candidates, geographic location, certifications held, and other criteria deemed pertinent to the particular role.
EEO StatementThe Nuclear Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an environment of inclusion in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, and termination.
Export Control
Certain positions at The Nuclear Company may involve access to information and technology subject to export controls under U.S. law. Compliance with these export controls may result in The Nuclear Company limiting its consideration of certain applicants.
Recruiting Fraud Alert
Your safety is our priority. We want to ensure your job search stays secure. Please note that the team at The Nuclear Company only communicates through official @thenuclearcompany.com email addresses. We will never ask for payments or sensitive financial information at any stage of our recruitment process. For your peace of mind, please verify all openings and submit your applications directly through our official careers page: Careers

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