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Director Software Engineer Startup Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in Alpharetta, GA to monitor team performance through metrics dashboards and identify continuous improvement opportunities.

Morgan Stanley Services Group, Inc. is seeking a Director, Software Engineer in Alpharetta, GA to monitor team performance through metrics dashboards and identify continuous improvement opportunities.

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 ...

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 ...

As the Director of Software Engineering at Hermeus, you will be responsible for overseeing the ... Experience working in a startup environment is a plus * Master's or PhD degree in a relevant ...

As the Director of Software Engineering at Hermeus, you will be responsible for overseeing the ... Experience working in a startup environment is a plus * Master's or PhD degree in a relevant ...

As the Director of Software Engineering at Hermeus, you will be responsible for overseeing the ... Experience working in a startup environment is a plus * Master's or PhD degree in a relevant ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Plano, TX · On-site

$242K/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 ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Mclean, VA · On-site

$255K/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 ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Richmond, VA · On-site

$250K/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 ...

Sr Director, Software Engineering

Mclean, VA · On-site

$255K/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 ...

Saab, Inc.'s Surveillance Systems Division is seeking a Director, Software Engineering to lead their growing and evolving Software and Cybersecurity organization in our East Syracuse, NY location.

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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:
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.
Director, Software Engineer

Director, Software Engineer

Morgan Stanley

Alpharetta, GA • Hybrid

$125K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Morgan Stanley rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

38th of 138 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, GA to monitor team performance through metrics dashboards and identify continuous improvement opportunities. Communicate risks, blockers, and impediments to team lead; recommend and implement operational solutions. Conduct squad assessments to ensure agile principles and best practices are being met and achieved. Manage multiple projects simultaneously and resolve impediments ahead of deadlines. Work with agile and deployment lifecycles and/or tracking and process management tools. Identify and analyze opportunities and make tactical and strategic recommendations. Telecommuting permitted up to 2 days per week.

What you'll bring to the role:

-Requires a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field of study

-Requires five (5) years of experience in the position offered or five (5) years as a Technology Lead, Technology Analyst, Systems Engineer, or a closely related occupation

-Requires five (5) years of experience with the following skills:

  • Oracle Access Manager, RSA Adaptive Authentication, and Sailpoint IIQ;
  • Apache Tomcat, WebSphere, and WebLogic;
  • Java, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS;
  • Linux, Advanced Interactive eXecutive (AIX), and Windows;
  • Oracle, SQL, and MSSQL;
  • Splunk, AppDynamics, and Dynatrace;
  • Robotic process Automation including Blue Prism;
  • Rest and SOAP API's, Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), JavaServer Faces (JSF), and Log4j;
  • Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Agile Methodologies, Microsoft Excel and Visio;
  • JIRA, Service Now, and Postman;
  • gathering business and technical requirements;
  • Business and Data Analysis;
  • Process and System Analysis;
  • Data Visualization;
  • Ensuring high availability, scalability, and performance of production systems through engineering solutions;
  • Developing observability strategies, configuring monitoring tools, and setting up actionable alerts; and
  • Performing post-mortems, and conducting root cause analysis (RCA).

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 $125,000 and $135,000 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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