Director of Software Engineering
Alava Consulting, Niles, IL, United States
Overview
A leading U.S.-based technology manufacturer supporting the aerospace and defense sectors is seeking a Director of Embedded Software Engineering to lead a global team responsible for the design, development, and sustainment of complex embedded systems. This role reports into the VP of Engineering and offers the opportunity to shape the future of safety-critical systems used in advanced aerospace platforms.
Location: Niles, IL
Citizenship Requirement: U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder (ITAR-regulated work)
Base pay range
$184,000.00/yr - $276,000.00/yr
Additional compensation
Annual Bonus and RSUs
What’s Offered
- Competitive base salary and performance bonus
- Annual equity participation
- 401(k) with match + pension-style company stock contributions
- Medical, dental, vision from day one
- Paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and extensive PTO package
Position details
Position: Director of Embedded Software Engineering
Location: Niles, IL
Salary Range: $184,000 – $276,000 + Bonus + Equity
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a global team of 80+ software engineers
- Oversee full software lifecycle for both new development and existing product sustainment
- Ensure strict compliance with aerospace standards, including DO-178 DAL A and MIL-STD-882
- Drive a strong engineering culture focused on design quality, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, product, and manufacturing engineering
- Establish and evolve development standards, tools, and processes
- Manage department budgets, staffing plans, and capital resources
- Represent the company externally at industry events and technical forums
Required qualifications
- Proven experience leading a large-scale embedded software engineering organization
- Deep knowledge of DO-178 DAL A or MIL-STD-882 compliance processes
- Experience with complex, regulated product development (aerospace/defense strongly preferred)
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification a plus
- Strong leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
Seniority level
- Director
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Product Management, Quality Assurance, and Engineering
Industries
- Software Development, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and IT System Testing and Evaluation