Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Virginia

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.