Vice President Software Engineering Jobs in Virginia

Orbis Operations is building its international and commercial business, and this Vice President will serve as its principal technical authority. The VP, Technical Solutions shapes, wins, and delivers complex technology programs for allied-nation, coalition, and commercial clients, owning each engagement from solution design through sustained operations. The VP leads the technology solution effort in close coordination with the executive team across multiple verticals.

More than an architect, this leader is a trusted partner the executive team leans on for the technical judgment that drives client outcomes and firm growth. They work at the intersection of technology, mission, and business, translating what Orbis builds into what clients need and delivering on every commitment.

The role centers on three core dimensions: Solutions Architecture, leading pursuit, bid, and capability delivery to clients; Technical Strategy, contributing to business development from the technology side through technology reusability and client relationship management; and Cross-Functional Coordination, working across products, services, and customers to align capabilities, business, programmatics, innovation, and market awareness.

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong leadership, business acumen, gravitas, and strategic thinking with the ability to operate as a trusted advisor to both executive leadership and senior client stakeholders
• Exceptional systems-level architecture skills with proven delivery of enterprise-scale software platforms and solutions for defense, intelligence, international, or commercial customers
• Mastery of modern commercial development practices, including CI/CD pipelines, container orchestration, microservices, REST/GraphQL APIs, and zero-trust security architectures
• Expert communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical capabilities into strategic business value for diverse audiences, including allied-nation decision-makers, commercial executives, and coalition partners
• Demonstrated expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, data pipelines, and automation with an ability to position these capabilities for international and commercial adoption
• Demonstrated leadership guiding cross-functional engineering, product, and delivery teams to successful outcomes in multinational and commercial operating environments
• Strong business acumen with experience shaping multi-million-dollar technical programs from opportunity identification through contract execution, delivery, and growth

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive technical leadership delivering engineering solutions across defense, intelligence, international, or commercial technology programs
• 5+ years in a senior technical leadership role (VP Engineering, Principal Architect, Chief Engineer, or equivalent) with direct ownership of program delivery, technical strategy, and client relationships
• Experience delivering technical solutions to allied-nation, coalition, or Five Eyes partners, or equivalent experience adapting technology for international deployment and client adoption
• Track record of shaping technical strategy, mentoring architects and engineers, and building high-performing technical teams
• Military, intelligence, or diplomatic experience operating in international environments (a strong advantage)
• Senior-level relationships with international defense, intelligence, or partner-nation organizations (a strong advantage)
• Experience modernizing tactical networks, C4ISR, or enterprise communications architectures, including integrated tactical network and tactical cloud initiatives, for defense, special operations, or coalition customers (a strong advantage)
• Track record coordinating software and capability delivery across multiple government program offices and major commercial technology partners, aligning delivery schedules and deconflicting capability timelines
• Senior executive experience (CTO, Chief Engineer, or equivalent) leading digital and technological transformation for large defense or government organizations, such as USSOCOM, USASOC, or a service-level command (a strong advantage)

Key Responsibilities

GROW: Develop and Deliver Superior Offerings to International and Commercial Clients

• Work with the executive team to develop compelling and innovative technical solutions that solve client problems, positioning Orbis product and service offerings (Catalyst, Pulse, Discovery) to build programs and deliver better outcomes for client missions
• Serve as the principal technical strategist for Orbis’ international and commercial portfolio: identify opportunities, assess technical feasibility, shape solution strategies, and develop proposals that position Orbis to win
• Coordinate closely with Product and Service Managers to understand product and service offerings; seek opportunities to drive new business and create synergies through capability reuse across programs and regions
• Contribute to program proposals, concept pitches, and pricing reviews, ensuring technical accuracy, alignment with firm quality standards, and clear articulation of the value Orbis delivers
• Represent Orbis at international industry forums, conferences, and partner engagements to build brand presence, gather competitive intelligence, and develop new opportunities in target markets

LEAD: Lead Technical Strategy and Program Execution

• Provide oversight of the end-to-end technical delivery operations across international and commercial programs, ensuring on-time, on-budget, on-mission execution from solution design through deployment and sustainment
• Architect solutions that maximize reuse of Orbis core products while meeting each client’s unique operational requirements, integration needs, and deployment environment
• Anticipate client requirements and emerging needs to stay ahead of the mission and keep delivery teams focused on proactive, high-value outcomes
• Oversee solution implementation and integration, working closely with Product and Delivery teams to align roadmaps, manage resource constraints, and sequence deliverables across multiple concurrent programs
• Drive automation of deployment, testing, and release-management processes to maximize repeatability, minimize risk, and deliver consistent quality across distributed international environments
• Track implementation metrics, surface risks early, and drive swift resolution in partnership with program managers and client stakeholders
• Operate as an embedded member of the operations and delivery organization, identifying opportunities to refine, streamline, and strengthen technical delivery across programs

MANAGE: Manage Programs, Teams, and Resources

• Own program-level accountability for technical delivery, budgets, and client satisfaction across the international and commercial portfolio
• Lead, mentor, and develop technical delivery leads and solutions architects (including the Principal Solutions Architect, who reports directly to this role), investing in people so that program quality scales with the business
• Support hiring and staffing of technical positions across international programs, bringing your assessment of skills, experience, and cultural fit to the hiring process
• Participate in the Commitment Alignment and Resourcing Board to support program development and resourcing for international and commercial engagements
• Produce regular delivery and regional updates highlighting accomplishments, client feedback, team development, and opportunities for growth or expansion

CONNECT: Build Client Relationships and Drive Account Growth

• Engage clients directly to ensure successful program execution, develop deep and trusted relationships, and understand where the mission is heading, not just where it is today
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with senior technical stakeholders across allied-nation defense and intelligence organizations, commercial partners, and industry peers
• Travel to engage high-ranking government and partner-nation leaders, representing the Orbis President and executive leadership in senior-level meetings and strategic engagements
• Systematically grow client relationships beyond single points of contact, investing in sustained relationships and developing the next generation of client leaders who know and trust Orbis
• Serve as the deliberate communications bridge between Orbis product and service teams, business development, and program delivery, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and co-development across the organization
• Support direct team members in developing their own client relationships by promoting them and creating opportunities for them to demonstrate expertise and problem-solving

EVOLVE: Innovate, Develop People, and Strengthen the Firm

• Evaluate emerging commercial and open-source technologies for potential integration into Orbis solutions; contribute concept papers, solution blueprints, and reference implementations to the internal knowledge base
• Partner with Product Managers to shape feature prioritization based on international and commercial client feedback, emerging threat landscapes, and market demands
• Understand trends and changes shaping target markets; proactively recommend investments, capabilities, and partnerships that keep Orbis ahead
• Spearhead the recruitment, selection, and professional development of technical team members across the international and commercial practice
• Strengthen a culture of continual investment in our people and capabilities so that we keep raising our standards
• Support broader firm-wide strategy development and implementation, including business development efforts, client support, and M&A processes when requested

Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI preferred; Secret minimum

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods at a computer; routine video conferences and/or in-person meetings.
• Sedentary Work: Primarily performs work in a seated position for extended periods of time; occasionally required to stand, walk, or move about the work area
• Fine Motor Skills: Regularly required to use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment
• Vision: Ability to read and view a computer screen for extended periods; close vision and the ability to adjust focus required
• Hearing & Speech: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, via telephone, and through video conferencing platforms; ability to hear and understand spoken information in a professional setting
• Lifting: Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds (e.g., files, documents, office supplies)
• Concentration: Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail in a professional office or remote work environment
• Remote opportunity with ability to travel up to 30% of the time

Orbis Operations is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Orbis Operations is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued and respected. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Orbis Operations will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. If you require an accommodation, please contact us at hr@orbisops.com.