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Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Venture Up

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Bronx, NY · On-site

Senior Backend Software Engineer - Startup - New York * Visa sponsorship not available, US Citizens only. Please do not apply if you are seeking sponsorship* Senior Backend Software Engineer is ...

Venture Up

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Albany, NY · On-site

Senior Backend Software Engineer - Startup - New York * Visa sponsorship not available, US Citizens only. Please do not apply if you are seeking sponsorship* Senior Backend Software Engineer is ...

Morgan Stanley

Director, Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$146K - $150K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in Chicago, IL to build technical tools, connections, and capabilities to support internal business needs. Develop and ...

Capital One

Director, Software Engineering

New York, NY · On-site

$276K/yr

Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Director of Software Engineering, you'll work on cutting edge AI based applications to power the future of marketing. You will be tasked with leading ...

Morgan Stanley

Director, Software Engineer

New York, NY

$156K - $165K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc.is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in New York, New York Design and implement scalable applications for end-to-end processing of corporate actions such as ...

Morgan Stanley

Director, Software Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$146K - $150K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in Chicago, IL to build technical tools, connections, and capabilities to support internal business needs. Develop and ...

Capital One

Director, Software Engineering

New York, NY · On-site

$276K/yr

Director, Software Engineering As a Capital One Director of Software Engineering, you'll work on cutting edge AI based applications to power the future of marketing. You will be tasked with leading ...

Morgan Stanley

Director, Software Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$156K - $165K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc.is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in New York, New York Design and implement scalable applications for end-to-end processing of corporate actions such as ...

Suvoda

Director, Software Engineering

Conshohocken, PA

$249K/yr

Director, Software Engineering Department: Product Development Reports to: SVP, Software Engineering The Director, Software Engineering is responsible for the delivery of Enterprise SaaS products ...

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Director Software Engineer Startup information

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$254K

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

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for director software engineer startup in the United States is $243,917.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $253,000.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Software Engineer at a startup, and why are they important?

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 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.

Is it possible to make 300K as a software engineer?

For a Director Software Engineer at a startup, earning $300,000 annually is possible but typically requires extensive experience, leadership skills, and working in high-paying markets or companies with significant funding. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially in startups with rapid growth. Achieving this level generally involves seniority, specialized expertise, and a strong track record of delivering value to the company.

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.

More about Director Software Engineer Startup jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Software Engineer Startup jobs? Cities with the most Director Software Engineer Startup job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer Startup jobs? The most popular types of Software Engineer Startup jobs are:
What states have the most Director Software Engineer Startup jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Software Engineer Startup jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Software Engineer Startup jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Software Engineer Startup jobs are:
Director Software Engineer Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Software Engineer Startup job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $243,917 per year, or $117.3 per hour.
Senior Backend Software Engineer

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Venture Up

Amherst, NY • On-site

Other

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

Job description

Senior Backend Software Engineer – Startup – New York


* Visa sponsorship not available, US Citizens only. Please do not apply if you are seeking sponsorship*


Senior Backend Software Engineer is required by a startup building a technology platform for behavioural health organizations to enhance mental health care delivery using AI. You should have 10+ years of professional backend software development experience who has a proven track record of delivering backend services end-to-end: designing APIs, building scalable systems, and deploying to production. You should be comfortable architecting solutions from scratch, navigating extreme ambiguity, and distilling competing priorities into clear, actionable technical designs. Bonus points if you have experience with or a strong interest in HIPAA-compliant infrastructure and healthcare data systems.


Requirements

  • 10+ years of experience in professional backend software development
  • Experience with backend development, focusing on API development, cloud infrastructure, data security, and system reliability
  • Experience at both big tech (e.g., FAANG) and early stage start-ups
  • Experience in Golang, Node.js, TypeScript, REST APIs, Firebase/Firestore, Cloud Run, Google Cloud Platform, Zod/schema validation, Pulumi
  • Experience working at both big tech (e.g., FAANG) and high-growth startups
  • Proven track record of building backend infrastructure and frontend experiences.
  • Experience with observability and monitoring tools.


What you'll do:

  • Design and implement scalable backend services, APIs, and data pipelines that power our patient and therapist-facing applications.
  • Build and maintain cloud infrastructure on GCP.
  • Ensure HIPAA compliance across all services, implementing proper PHI handling, audit trails, and security controls.
  • Create robust, well-documented REST APIs with proper validation, error handling, and monitoring.
  • Implement logging, monitoring, and alerting to ensure system health and quickly diagnose issues.
  • Work closely with Frontend, Product, and Clinical teams to define technical requirements and deliver integrated solutions.


Tech stack

Golang, Node.js, Cloud Run, TypeScript, Firebase/Firestore, Google Cloud Platform, REST APIs, Zod/schema validation

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