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Director Software Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Capital One

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 ...

Capital One

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 ...

AppFolio

Director, Software Engineering

Washington, DC

$286K/yr

We're more than just a software company - we're pioneers in cloud and AI who deliver magical ... The Director of Engineering, Developer Productivity will manage and continue to grow a ...

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Director Software information

See Reston, VA salary details

$144.6K

$264.2K

How much do director software jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director software in Reston, VA is $253,761.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $263,200.00 and $263,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Director Software roles?

A Director of Software is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the software development teams and guiding the strategic direction of software projects within an organization. They manage engineering managers and developers, set technical vision, ensure projects are aligned with business goals, and often collaborate with other departments like product management and operations. The role requires strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to balance innovation with operational efficiency. Directors of Software are also tasked with recruiting top talent, mentoring team members, and ensuring software quality and security standards are met.

What are some typical challenges a Director of Software faces when leading cross-functional teams?

A Director of Software often encounters challenges such as aligning priorities across engineering, product, and design teams, ensuring clear communication, and managing competing deadlines. Balancing technical debt reduction with new feature development is also a common concern. Successful Directors build strong relationships with stakeholders, foster a culture of collaboration, and implement processes that support transparency and efficient decision-making.

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

To thrive as a Director of Software, you need extensive experience in software development, strong leadership abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as project management software (e.g., Jira), cloud platforms, and agile methodologies, as well as certifications like PMP or Scrum Master, is highly beneficial. Exceptional problem-solving, communication, and team management skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for guiding teams, delivering high-quality products, and aligning software initiatives with organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Software vs Software Engineer?

AspectDirector SoftwareSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, leadership experienceBachelor's or higher in CS or related field, coding skills
Work EnvironmentLeadership, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationHands-on coding, development, debugging
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, software firms, startupsAlmost universal across tech industries
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career progression, responsibilitiesEntry to mid-level roles, technical focus

The main difference between a Director Software and a Software Engineer lies in their responsibilities and experience. Directors focus on strategic planning, team leadership, and project oversight, often requiring leadership credentials. Software Engineers are primarily involved in coding and technical development. While Software Engineers are more hands-on with daily technical tasks, Directors oversee multiple projects and teams, guiding overall software development strategies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Software jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Software jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Director Software job openings:
Director Software jobs near you

Sr Director, Software Engineering (McLean)

Hobbsnews

Mclean, VA • On-site

$314K - $359K/yr

Full-time

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

Job description

Sr Director, Software Engineering

As a Capital One Senior Director of Software Engineering, you will work on everything from customer‑facing web and mobile applications using cutting‑edge open source frameworks to highly‑available RESTful microservices and back‑end Java‑based systems leveraging the latest Big Data techniques. You will bring solid experience in modern, cloud‑native technologies such as Java, GO, Node.js, React, NoSQL databases, AI Agents, and AWS/Cloud Infrastructure.

Financial Core Tech is the engine behind Capital One’s financial integrity. We build and scale the mission‑critical enterprise platforms that record every customer transaction with 100% precision. As part of the Prometheus Financial Core (PFC) team, you will empower our lines of business to innovate at speed—building the infrastructure that allows us to launch next‑generation financial products safely and seamlessly for millions of customers.

Areas of Focus Leadership & People
  • Lead, manage, and grow multiple product‑focused software engineering teams
  • Mentor and guide the professional and technical development of engineers on your team
  • Encourage innovation, implementation of cutting‑edge technologies, inclusion, outside‑of‑the‑box thinking, teamwork, self‑organization, and diversity
Technical Strategy & Architecture
  • Lead the craftsmanship, availability, resilience, and scalability of your solutions
  • Break existing monolithic applications into microservice architectures and build new microservices
  • Lead efforts to deploy new and existing applications into AWS environments
Process & Improvement
  • Continuously improve software engineering practices, leading the transformation to AI‑native development practices
  • Work to improve the velocity of your and other teams
  • Work with product managers to understand desired application capabilities and testing scenarios
  • Work within and across Agile teams to design, develop, test, implement, and support technical solutions across a full‑stack development tools and technologies
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • At least 9 years’ experience in software development
  • At least 7 years’ experience in people management
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master’s Degree in Computer Science or a Master’s Degree in Software Engineering
  • 13+ years’ of experience in software development
  • 8+ years’ of experience in Agile practices
  • 1+ years of experience leveraging AI‑assisted coding tools (Claude Code, Github Copilot) to accelerate software delivery

Capital One will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Compensation

McLean, VA: $314,800 - $359,300 for Sr. Dir, Software Engineering

Plano, TX: $286,200 - $326,700 for Sr. Dir, Software Engineering

Richmond, VA: $286,200 - $326,700 for Sr. Dir, Software Engineering

This role is also eligible to earn performance‑based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long‑term incentives (LTI).

Benefits

Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well‑being.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/veteran) committed to non‑discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug‑free workplace.

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