Director of Software Engineering (Defense)

TL;DR

Director of Software Engineering (Defense): Leading the software organization to scale mission-critical communications products with an accent on software delivery maturity, engineering standards, and AI adoption. Focus on transforming project-based execution into a disciplined delivery engine and managing diverse technical teams in restricted environments.

Location: On-site in Colorado Springs, CO, USA (limited remote work flexibility)

Salary: $155,000 - $215,000 per year

Company

Caliola is a woman-owned small business specializing in secure collaboration and resilient communications for mission-critical defense solutions.

What you will do

• Lead and manage the software organization, providing accountability for engineers building web apps and signal processing solutions.
• Define and improve engineering standards for architecture, code quality, CI/CD, and AI-enabled practices.
• Manage staffing, dependencies, and technical risks to improve delivery predictability across multiple programs.
• Implement and refine agile development practices including sprint planning and backlog management.
• Partner with program management and customers to translate requirements into executable software plans.
• Drive the productization of DoD-funded solutions through reusable components and maintainable architectures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience, including leadership of complex delivery efforts.
• Strong knowledge of modern software practices: Agile, CI/CD, secure development, and architecture.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance.
• Must be based in or able to work on-site in Colorado Springs, CO.
• Exceptional written and verbal English communication skills.

Nice to have

• Master's degree or higher in a technical discipline.
• Active U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Experience in DoD, Federal Government, or mission-critical restricted environments.
• Familiarity with C++, Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Vue.js, Node.js, and Linux.
• Experience scaling engineering practices in a growing small business.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible PTO and subsidized health insurance.
• 401(k) matching and professional development opportunities.
• Flexible and collaborative culture within the defense industry.
• Competitive compensation structure designed for long-term growth.