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Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Morgan Stanley Services Group Inc. seeks a Director, Software Engineer in New York, NY to work as a full stack developer for entitlement reviews development team. Create design for integration of ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Director, Software Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$163K - $165K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in New York, New York to provide coding and technical solutions as a full stack developer to build front-end Graphical ...

Director, Software Engineer

New York, NY · Hybrid

$163K - $165K/yr

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in New York, New York to provide coding and technical solutions as a full stack developer to build front-end Graphical ...

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Director, Software Engineer

Goshen, AR · On-site

$130K - $260K/yr

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Director, Software Engineer

Cassville, MO · On-site

$130K - $260K/yr

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Professional experience as a Software Architect or Engineer * Experience working in Cloud ... Energized by a fast-paced, late-stage startup and able to embrace change to drive the organization ...

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Director, Software Engineering

Conshohocken, PA · On-site

$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 ...

Director, Software Engineer

Johnson, AR · On-site

$130K - $260K/yr

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Director, Software Engineer

Tontitown, AR · On-site

$130K - $260K/yr

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

Experience managing software development engineers, leaders, architects and leading engineering projects, guiding engineering teams on engineering excellence & solid system design. * Experience ...

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Director Software Engineer Startup information

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$139K

$254K

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

As of Jun 29, 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 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 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 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 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.
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:
Infographic showing various Director Software Engineer Startup job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $243,917 per year, or $117.3 per hour.
Director, Software Engineer

Director, Software Engineer

Morgan Stanley

Alpharetta, GA • On-site

$152K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Morgan Stanley rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 139 rated financial services


Job description

Company Profile:
Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, investment, and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide, including corporations, governments, and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries.
In Technology, we leverage innovation to build the connections and capabilities that power our Firm, enabling our clients and colleagues to redefine markets and shape the future of our communities.
What you'll do in the role:
Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in Alpharetta, Georgia to design and develop software products to support business expansions as well as support infrastructure level setups. Design and develop new features using programming languages. Design and develop database systems as per business requirements. Interact regularly with users, Business Analysts, and Subject Matter Experts to collect requirements to enhance the software products and resolve production issues as required. Communicate business requirements and technical solutions with business teams located globally. Work on different software development life cycle phases and create technical documentation for software, including design documents and handbooks. Perform code reviews and provide effective code review comments. Work with large scale distributed systems.
What you'll bring to the role:
-Requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (any), Computer Science, or related field of study.
-Requires five (5) years of experience in the position offered or five (5) years as a Manager, Software Developer, or related occupation in the technology field.
-Requires five (5) years of experience with the following skills:
  • C++;
  • Java;
  • Python;
  • Perl;
  • C++ Standard Template Library (STL);
  • Data Structures;
  • Networking (Client-Server);
  • Linux;
  • Unix;
  • Sybase Database;
  • Oracle;
  • DB2 database;
  • SQL;
  • Spring Framework;
  • REST web services;
  • SOAP web services;
  • Apache HTTP server;
  • Apache Tomcat;
  • Micro services;
  • GIT;
  • JIRA;
  • Jenkins;
  • Active MQ;
  • Rabbit MQ;
  • Kafka Messaging; and
  • Agile.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:
At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients - helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that's differentiated - and we've done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren't just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you'll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There's also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.
To learn more about our offices across the globe, please copy and paste https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices into your browser.
Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $152,200 and $152,200 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.
Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.
Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.
For more information, please visit: https://www.morganstanley.com/people-opportunities/eeo.

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