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Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO

Red 6

Senior Director, Software Architecture

Denver, CO · On-site

$240K - $270K/yr

Company Overview Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way ... Working closely with Engineering leadership, Product Management, Chief Engineer(s), and Program ...

Aegon

Director, Software Engineering

Denver, CO · On-site

$260K/yr

Identify opportunities to utilize third-party software development frameworks, open source ... Strong background in the execution of DevOps methodologies and continuous integration/continuous ...

Five and Fly

Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site +1

Software Engineer Employment Type: Full Time Location: Remote Description **SKILLBRIDGE to ... Startup DNA-you thrive in fast-moving, high-impact environments. Benefits You'll be surrounded by ...

Jobtailor

Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Align engineering, product, and go-to-market teams to deliver solutions that meet public sector ... Startup DNA - you thrive in fast-moving, high-impact environments. Core Competencies Demonstrates ...

Hire Aregio

Be Seen First

Software Engineer - AI Model Evaluation

Denver, CO · Remote

$150/hr

Experience working in production codebases with a strict code review culture -- startup, big tech, ... Are an Engineering Manager or Director who no longer writes or reviews code regularly * Have ...

New

Five and Fly, LLC.

Software Engineer

Denver, CO · Remote

... Software Engineer - Public Sector to help lead the charge. If you're energized by solving hard ... Startup DNA-you thrive in fast-moving, high-impact environments. Why You'll Love It Here You'll be ...

Cymertek Corporation

Software Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

$90 - $150/hr

Software Engineer LOCATION Aurora, CO 80014 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... With direct access to company leadership, a laid‑back and inclusive atmosphere, and exceptional ...

Cymertek

Software Engineer

Aurora, CO · On-site

Software Engineer LOCATION Aurora, CO 80014 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... With direct access to company leadership, a laid-back and inclusive atmosphere, and exceptional ...

Project Canary

Senior Software Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

Direct access to product and company leadership * Fast feedback loops and fewer layers between idea ... Startup Adaptability We are a mid-stage startup. Priorities evolve. Documentation is not always ...

Rincon Research Corp

Software Engineer

Centennial, CO · On-site

... the direct mission feedback from the customer and seeing your project provide real-world ... Proficient in modern software engineering practices for testability and readability * Proficient in ...

CesiumAstro

Senior Flight Software Engineer II

Westminster, CO · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing software for ... You will use your experience to direct, mentor, and grow a team of motivated spacecraft engineers ...

CesiumAstro

Senior Flight Software Engineer II

Westminster, CO · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing software for ... You will use your experience to direct, mentor, and grow a team of motivated spacecraft engineers ...

CesiumAstro

Senior Flight Software Engineer II

Westminster, CO · On-site

$123K - $163K/yr

If you enjoy working in a startup environment and are passionate about developing software for ... You will use your experience to direct, mentor, and grow a team of motivated spacecraft engineers ...

Medtronic

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Lafayette, CO · On-site

$129K - $169K/yr

... startup with the support of an established manufacturer. This position is responsible for ... a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a ...

Medtronic

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Lafayette, CO · On-site

$129K - $169K/yr

... startup with the support of an established manufacturer. This position is responsible for ... a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a ...

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Director Software Engineer Startup information

See Highlands Ranch, CO salary details

$145.9K

$266.6K

How much do director software engineer startup jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director software engineer startup in Highlands Ranch, CO is $256,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $265,600.00 and $265,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director software engineer do at a startup?

A Director Software Engineer at a startup leads and manages the engineering team, overseeing the development and delivery of software products. They set technical direction, ensure best practices, and collaborate closely with founders and other departments to align technology with business goals. This role often involves hands-on coding, mentoring junior engineers, and making key architectural decisions. Directors at startups must be adaptable, balancing strategic planning with the fast-paced demands of startup growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director software engineer at a startup?

To thrive as a Director Software Engineer at a startup, you need deep expertise in software architecture, coding best practices, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in computer science and significant engineering experience. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms (such as AWS or GCP), and project management tools is typically required, along with experience in scaling systems. Exceptional communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to motivate and mentor a diverse team set standout leaders apart in this role. These skills are vital for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and fostering a high-performing engineering culture in a fast-paced startup environment.

What are some common challenges faced by a director software engineer at a startup, and how can they be addressed?

As a Director Software Engineer at a startup, you may encounter challenges such as balancing hands-on technical work with managerial responsibilities, scaling the engineering team rapidly, and adapting to shifting business priorities. It’s important to establish clear communication channels, set achievable milestones, and foster a collaborative culture to keep the team aligned. Leveraging agile methodologies and regularly reviewing technical debt can help maintain product quality while meeting fast-paced deadlines. Building strong relationships with other departments, such as product and design, also ensures that engineering efforts are strategically aligned with the company’s goals.

What is the difference between Director Software Engineer Startup vs Lead Software Engineer?

AspectDirector Software Engineer StartupLead Software Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple teams, strategic planning, and project alignmentLeads a specific team or project, technical mentorship
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, extensive experienceBachelor's/Master's in CS or related, strong technical background
Work EnvironmentStartup setting, cross-functional collaborationStartup or tech company, hands-on technical work
FocusStrategic leadership, team managementTechnical excellence, project delivery

The main difference between a Director Software Engineer Startup and a Lead Software Engineer lies in scope and focus. The Director typically manages multiple teams and handles strategic planning, while the Lead focuses on technical leadership within a specific team or project. Both roles require strong technical credentials, but the Director's role emphasizes leadership and organizational skills in a startup environment.

What are popular job titles related to Director Software Engineer Startup jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO?

For Director Software Engineer Startup jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Software Engineer Startup jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Software Engineer Startup jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO are:

What cities near Highlands Ranch, CO are hiring for Director Software Engineer Startup jobs?

Cities near Highlands Ranch, CO with the most Director Software Engineer Startup job openings:

Director Software Engineer Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Software Engineer Startup job openings in Highlands Ranch, CO as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $256,018 per year, or $123.1 per hour.

Senior Director, Software Architecture

Red 6

Denver, CO • On-site

$240K - $270K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Company Overview
Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments.
The Role
Red 6 is seeking a highly experienced Senior Director, Software Architecture to join our dynamic team in Louisville, CO or Santa Monica, CA. The Senior Director, Software Architecture reports directly to the Chief Product Officer and is responsible for defining, governing, and evolving the software architecture across Red 6's Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System (ATARS) product portfolio and future software platforms.
As the senior ranking Software Architect, this role establishes long-term software technical strategy, ensuring scalable, secure, and maintainable software architectures spanning real-time graphics, embedded software, edge computing, AI-enabled capabilities, cloud services, mission applications, simulation, and aircraft integration. Working closely with Engineering leadership, Product Management, Chief Engineer(s), and Program teams, this leader drives architectural consistency across products while enabling rapid innovation and disciplined execution. As a Sr Director, this role may also help people manage one or more groups of SW engineers within the greater software team.
As a deeply technical executive, the Senior Director, Software Architecture provides hands-on technical leadership, establishes software engineering best practices, governs architecture decisions, and mentors software architects and senior engineering leaders. This position serves as a primary software architecture advisor to the Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer as well as other executive leadership and customers, ensuring Red 6 maintains a modern, scalable, and mission-ready software ecosystem.
Responsibilities
  • Serve as the technical authority for enterprise software architecture across Red 6's ATARS and future software-enabled products.
  • Define and maintain the long-term software architecture roadmap supporting current programs and next-generation capabilities.
  • Lead architectural definition across embedded software, real-time rendering, simulation, mission systems, networking, cloud infrastructure, edge computing, AI/ML services, and user applications.
  • Establish software architecture governance through Architecture Review Boards, design standards, reusable frameworks, and technical decision processes.
  • Partner with Chief Engineers to ensure software architectures align with overall system architecture, technical baselines, and product roadmaps.
  • Drive adoption of modular, scalable, and reusable software architectures supporting MOSA, OMS, FACE, and emerging defense standards.
  • Lead software modernization initiatives including containerization, cloud-native services, DevSecOps, CI/CD automation, Infrastructure Code, and software factory implementation.
  • Define enterprise software development standards including coding practices, architectural patterns, API governance, software quality metrics, and secure software development lifecycle practices.
  • Provide technical leadership for AI-enabled capabilities, autonomy frameworks, computer vision, machine learning integration, and data-driven mission applications.
  • Guide software architecture supporting mixed reality, augmented reality, real-time visualization, synthetic training environments, and distributed simulation.
  • Ensure software architectures meet performance requirements for latency, determinism, scalability, cybersecurity, reliability, and maintainability.
  • Collaborate with Systems Engineering to support Digital Engineering initiatives, MBSE, requirements of traceability, interface management, and verification planning.
  • Identify technical risks, conduct architecture trade studies, and establish mitigation strategies.
  • Support staffing needs for software team and mentor Principal Engineers, Software Architects, and Software Engineering Managers.
  • Partner with Business Development and executive leadership during customer engagements and proposal development.
  • Represent Red 6 as the senior software architecture leader with government customers, partners, and executive stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM discipline (master's preferred; PhD a plus).
  • 15+ years of progressive software engineering experience with at least 8 years leading large-scale software architecture initiatives in aerospace, defense, simulation, avionics, autonomy, AR/VR, or related industries.
  • Demonstrated experience defining enterprise software architectures spanning embedded systems, distributed computing, cloud platforms, and real-time applications.
  • Proven experience leading software architecture across complex hardware/software integrated systems.
  • Experience developing and certifying flight or safety critical software, especially for airborne platforms using DO-178 and/or AC-17-01.
  • Deep understanding of microservices, event-driven architectures, distributed systems, containerized applications, and edge computing.
  • Experience implementing DevSecOps, CI/CD, software factories, and secure software development methodologies.
  • Strong understanding of embedded Linux, RTOS, GPU computing, networking, and high-performance software architectures.
  • Experience integrating software with avionics, mission systems, sensors, or defense communication architectures.
  • Excellent executive communication and leadership skills.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience developing software for AR, VR, MR, or advanced visualization systems.
  • Experience with real-time graphics engines, rendering pipelines, GPU programming, or computer vision.
  • Experience architecting AI/ML-enabled software platforms supporting autonomy or synthetic training.
  • Experience with OMS, FACE, MOSA, CMOSS, or similar DoD standards.
  • Experience supporting aircraft mission systems or airborne computing.
  • Experience with Kubernetes, cloud-native infrastructure, hybrid cloud, and edge deployment.
  • Experience implementing Digital Engineering and MBSE.
  • Experience with RMF, Zero Trust, and DoD cybersecurity frameworks.
  • Experience leading software organizations within a high-growth defense technology company.
  • Active DoD Secret or Top-Secret security clearance.

Estimated Base Salary Range:
$240,000 to $270,000 dependent on skills and experience
Full-Time Employee Benefits
  • Healthcare, Dental, and Vision (100% coverage for Employees)
  • Paid time off, including vacation, sick, paid holidays, and parental leave
  • Short and Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Voluntary Worksite Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity)
  • May be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and company performance, subject to plan terms.

Note
Red 6 reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations.
This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Red 6 has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment.
Red Six Aerospace, Inc, is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Colorado: https://www.connectingcolorado.com/
Florida: https://www.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx
Under the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"), Red 6 Aerospace, Inc. operating company you are applying to work for (hereinafter, "we", "our", or "us") may collect personal information and use it for certain business purposes as described below in this Job Applicant and Employee Privacy Notice. We are required to disclose the following information to California "consumers" regarding our collection of their personal information. Under the CCPA, "consumers" means California residents, including job applicants, employees, or contractors of a business.
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