Director, Software Engineering | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

Position Summary:  

We are seeking a Platform Software Engineering Director to join our growing team. This role is responsible for the full software development life cycle, from conception to deployment. As a Platform Software Engineering Director, you will have relevant experience with both front-end and back-end coding languages, software development architecture and design patterns, development frameworks and third-party libraries. The ideal candidate will have a strong background leading teams developing consumer-facing digital products in collaboration with product and design leaders. This individual must be creative, client focused, team player, organized, and can thrive in a dynamic environment. 

At First Dollar, we believe in empowering engineers to build a smarter health benefits platform - one where human expertise is amplified, not replaced, by AI tools. We seek engineers who have demonstrated experience using AI responsibly to accelerate their development workflow, improve code quality, and solve complex problems more efficiently. 

Our engineering team is built on the principles of humans over code. We are a tight-knit group of lifelong learners in a constant quest to be a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. Come join us! 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• As a member of the Research and Development / Product Leadership team, will provide design services, resource planning, work estimation and coordination for multiple delivery teams

• Lead a team of software engineers and quality engineers to design, develop, and test applications (e.g. API, web apps) in accordance with established standards. 

• Collaborate with Product and Design Leaders to lead product delivery teams.

• Set short to medium term technical direction, creating plans to help achieve goals 

• Participate in peer-reviews of solution designs and related code. 

• Package and support deployment of releases. 

• Foster an environment where different backgrounds, cultures, industry and life experiences are embraced and valued. 

• Collaborate on architecture decisions, ensuring that we are adapting and evolving to meet organization’s scaling business needs 

• Collaborate with other software developers, product managers and software architects to plan, design and deliver applications. 

• Assess opportunities for application and process improvement and prepare documentation of rationale to share with team members and other affected parties. 

• Adhere to high-quality development principles while delivering solutions on time and within budget.

• Ensure that non-functional requirements such as security, performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, and reliability are being considered when architecting solutions. 

• Work in an Agile framework to identify and automate solutions that result in enhanced developer experience and increased developer productivity. 

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices in solution architecture and technology innovation. 

• Contribute towards defining and establishing benchmarks, metrics, and quality measures.

• Leverage AI as a tool, not a replacement - Candidates are expected to understand that AI is a power productivity multiplier while maintaining engineering judgment, and ensuring AI generated code meets quality standards 

• Full code ownership mandatory - Must understand, explain, and support all AI-assisted code as if written from scratch 

• Troubleshoot, debug and upgrade software 

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  

• Provide direction, guidance, and support to a team of employees. Set clear expectations, delegate tasks, and ensure effective communication within the team. 

• Evaluate employee performance, provide feedback, and conduct performance reviews. Identify areas for development and create plans to enhance team members' skills. 

• Uniformly identify high performers who consistently produce quality work.

• Remove barriers for the team, ensuring team members have all the tools, resources, and context to execute. 

• Active coaching of the team and developing individual development plans for all team members. 

• Overcome challenges and conflicts that arise within the team or projects. 

• Make decisions that balance various factors and contribute to the overall success of the organization. 

• Cultivate relationships with clients, partners, and other departments to facilitate collaboration and achieve common goals. 

• Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains new team members. 

Qualifications

Education & Experience: 

• 10 or more years of experience in software or solution architecture roles, with a focus on designing and implementing complex, enterprise-level solutions using cloud platform. 

• Strong knowledge of software architecture principles, design patterns, and architectural frameworks. 

• Strong understanding of Continuous Delivery patterns, Cloud foundational patterns, Observability patterns, Developer experience patterns. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

• Practical AI experience - Comfortable using tools like GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, or Claude for prototyping, debugging, and problem-solving 

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent experience 

Technical Proficiency and Skills: 

• Proficiency with:

• Node.js

• React

• TypeScript

• Apollo GraphQL

• Git Version Control System

• PostgreSQL

• Google Cloud

• Jest

• Docker Container

• CI/CD Pipelines

• Experience with one or more cloud platforms, preferably GCP

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills

• Great attention to detail and organizational skills

• Experience delivering individual and institutional client facing solutions; Web Portal(s), online payments, and third-party integrations 

• Good understanding of Agile/Scrum methodology 

• Expertise in delivering secure, high performance, fault-tolerant, and high availability solutions 

• Experience with DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD, SecDevOps, Containers, Serverless

Other Requirements: 

• Infrequent travel (10%) 

• Ability to occasionally work overtime or after hours 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer 

Expert Career Tips for Director, Software Engineering Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Director, Software Engineering, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Director, Software Engineering requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Director, Software Engineering position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.