Keller Executive Search ยท 2 weeks ago
Director of Software Engineering - Defense Technology
Atlanta, GA
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$180K/yr - $200K/yr
10+ years expKeller Executive Search is seeking a Director of Software Engineering for an innovative drone detection and defense technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia. The role involves building and managing engineering teams, establishing leadership structures, and driving technical direction during a critical growth phase, focusing on AI and software development for national security applications.
Staffing & Recruiting
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Build, lead, and manage growing engineering teams across the United States and Europe
Establish leadership structure and set technical direction
Implement processes and drive execution across software and AI development projects
Align technical strategy with business objectives in collaboration with the CEO
Shape engineering culture, processes, and technical standards
Qualification
Required
10+ 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 phases
Strong technical leadership background with hands-on software engineering expertise
Deep understanding of Agile and DevOps practices
Exceptional leadership and communication skills (both technical and non-technical)
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related technical field
U.S. Citizenship required (due to ITAR restrictions and government contract work)
Local to Atlanta or willing to relocate to the Atlanta metropolitan area
Preferred
Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or related field
Experience with AI-driven defense applications
Background in hardware-software integration and hardware interfacing
Familiarity with international and distributed engineering teams
Experience with computer vision or autonomous systems
German language skills (a plus but not required)
Knowledge of defense contracting and government compliance requirements
Benefits
Unlimited PTO - flexible time off to support work-life balance
401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (employer match on benefits roadmap)
Health insurance reimbursement through QSEHRA
Paid parental leave
Professional development opportunities as the company scales
Collaborative startup culture with a highly technical team
Mission-driven work supporting national security and public safety
Company
Keller Executive Search
Keller Executive Search is a boutique executive recruitment and advisory firm dedicated to connecting top-tier talent with leading organizations worldwide.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase