Director, Software Engineering

Director, Software Engineering

Location:

East Syracuse, NY. Reporting directly to Senior Director, Engineering, this role will lead a team of engineers and software engineering managers to deliver high-quality software products. They will collaborate closely with functional engineering, program management, and leadership teams to ensure execution and delivery within cost and schedule targets.

• Lead, develop, and scale the Software Engineering organization, focusing on meeting technical, program, and business objectives.
• Partner with senior leadership to translate business strategy into actionable software engineering plans and ensure consistent execution across the software engineering function.
• Drive software engineering organizational planning and execution including staffing, budgeting, and resource alignment, ensuring readiness to support multiple programs, customers, and development efforts.
• Direct solution cybersecurity posture, leading teams to balance cost, security, usability, and compliance.
• Ensure accountability for creation of accurate cost and schedule targets, and execution of technical effort in accordance with those targets.
• Responsible for cost estimating activities related to contract proposals, IR&D, Capital, and assigned overhead budgets.
• Recruit, retain, and assign engineering talent to meet evolving organizational and timeline needs, ensuring teams and programs are properly staffed with the right skills.
• Manage the annual performance review process, compensation reviews, and career development process for the software engineering organization.
• Build organizational capability by developing both management and technical talent through various training opportunities, job-related work that promotes continuous growth, knowledge‑sharing across teams, and development planning.
• Provide technical oversight, guidance, mentorship and coaching to assigned personnel in the performance of their assigned tasks.
• Develop technical solutions, assess technical risk and identify risk mitigation strategies within assigned discipline.
• Collaborate with the Engineering Leadership Team to identify areas for opportunity and growth, drive continuous improvement, and implement best practices to enhance engineering performance.
• Foster a high-performing culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

$189,000 - $255,100

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
• 18+ years of experience in a technical/engineering environment with at least 5+ years in a leadership role focused on engineering management and leading other people managers.
• Proven success building, scaling, and leading a high-performing engineering function with preference for Aerospace and Defense experience.
• Strong understanding of the product development lifecycle, software engineering principles, anti‑tamper cybersecurity and functional execution in regulated industries.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to and aligning engineering strategy and execution with broader business and programmatic goals.
• Experience shaping organizational direction through technical leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, anticipating change, mitigating risk, and making sound high‑impact decisions.
• Demonstrated success in developing technical talent and managing team performance.
• Deep expertise in software development, especially object‑oriented design, UML, and embedded systems.
• Proficient in C/C++, Java, and tools like VS Code, DOORS, Git, SVN, and PTC Integrity Modeler.
• Experience with multiple development methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, and Spiral.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% in support of program and business efforts.
• Ability to obtain a Secret level clearance.

Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.