Director of Software Engineering - Defense Technology

Our client is an innovative drone detection and defense technology company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. They develop advanced AI and computer vision software for airspace security and threat mitigation, serving defense and government clients. With approximately 30 employees, they are entering an exciting growth phase that requires stronger technical leadership to guide their expansion.We are seeking an experienced Director of Software Engineering to build, lead, and manage growing engineering teams across the United States and Europe. This is a unique opportunity to shape the technical direction of a cutting-edge defense technology company during a critical scaling phase.As Director of Software Engineering, you will be responsible for establishing leadership structure, setting technical direction, implementing processes, and driving execution across software and AI development projects. While your background will be deeply technical, this role focuses primarily on management, delegation, strategic technical decision-making, and team development rather than individual coding. You will report directly to the Managing Director and work closely with the CEO to align technical strategy with business objectives.This role offers the opportunity to lead the technical vision for technology that directly contributes to national security and airspace protection, build and scale engineering teams during a pivotal expansion phase, work at the intersection of AI, computer vision, and defense technology, and shape engineering culture, processes, and technical standards from the ground up while managing distributed teams across the U.S. and Europe.RequirementsEssential10+ years of software engineering experience in regulated industries (defense, aviation, aerospace, or similar highly-regulated sectors)Prior DoD or defense contractor project management experience (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, or similar)Proven experience scaling and leading small engineering teams through growth phasesStrong technical leadership background with hands-on software engineering expertiseDeep understanding of Agile and DevOps practicesExceptional leadership and communication skills (both technical and non-technical)Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related technical fieldU.S. Citizenship required (due to ITAR restrictions and government contract work)Local to Atlanta or willing to relocate to the Atlanta metropolitan areaPreferredMaster's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related fieldExperience with AI-driven defense applicationsBackground in hardware-software integration and hardware interfacingFamiliarity with international and distributed engineering teamsExperience with computer vision or autonomous systemsGerman language skills (a plus but not required)Knowledge of defense contracting and government compliance requirementsBenefitsBase Salary: $180,000 - $200,000 (depedning on experience and qualifications)Unlimited PTO - flexible time off to support work-life balance401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (employer match on benefits roadmap)Health insurance reimbursement through QSEHRAPaid parental leaveProfessional development opportunities as the company scalesCollaborative startup culture with a highly technical teamMission-driven work supporting national security and public safetyEqual Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination PolicyEqual Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. 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