VP of Engineering

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a VP of Engineering based in the United States.

The VP of Engineering will lead and scale engineering practices across a diverse portfolio of federal digital modernization programs, supporting more than 100 engineers. This strategic leadership role combines technical direction, organizational development, and hands-on problem-solving to deliver high-quality software solutions. You will bring proven practices from commercial and product-focused environments into federal delivery, fostering innovation, consistency, and engineering excellence. Working closely with program leaders, technical leads, and government clients, you will strengthen delivery standards and advance cloud modernization, DevSecOps, and AI-enabled development. You will also build career development frameworks, mentor engineering leaders, and shape a collaborative, high-performing technical culture. This is an opportunity to influence engineering strategy at scale while improving the quality and effectiveness of digital services.

Accountabilities:

As VP of Engineering, you will establish the technical vision, develop engineering talent, and ensure consistent delivery standards across multiple programs. Your responsibilities will include:

• Define and implement engineering standards, best practices, and technical consistency across an organization of more than 100 engineers, including the adoption and use of agentic AI tools.

• Lead engineering talent decisions by identifying and promoting high performers, developing emerging talent, and maintaining high standards across teams.

• Partner with Program Managers, Tech Leads, and senior leadership to ensure programs deliver high-quality, technically sound solutions.

• Provide hands-on technical guidance when needed, including reviewing architecture, solving complex engineering challenges, and prototyping new ideas.

• Develop and maintain an engineering career framework covering skill levels, career progression, mentorship, certifications, continuing education, and promotion criteria.

• Coach and support Tech Leads in technical leadership, people management, and team development.

• Drive technical strategy across the portfolio by identifying opportunities to improve performance, tooling, engineering practices, and delivery outcomes.

• Monitor emerging technologies, particularly AI/ML, cloud platform engineering, and developer productivity, and translate relevant advances into practical client benefits.

• Support business growth and capture activities through solution design, proposal reviews, and technical feasibility assessments.

• Represent engineering capabilities internally and externally, sharing expertise with clients and contributing to industry events.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate combines senior engineering leadership experience with strong technical credibility, an understanding of federal delivery environments, and a collaborative approach to organizational change. Key qualifications include:

• Extensive experience leading engineering organizations, including substantial experience in federal contracting environments.

• Strongly preferred experience in commercial, product-focused, or other industry settings outside government, with the ability to apply relevant practices to federal delivery.

• Demonstrated technical expertise and credibility, with the ability to guide teams strategically while engaging directly with complex technical challenges when necessary.

• A proven track record of building strong engineering cultures, structured career development programs, and high-performing technical teams.

• Strong understanding of Agile delivery, DevSecOps, and cloud modernization within federal environments.

• Collaborative leadership skills, with an ability to build alignment, empower teams, and adapt practices to different organizational and program needs.

• Experience developing partnerships and driving technical change with government clients.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to engineers, executives, government stakeholders, and other non-technical audiences.

• A bachelor's degree.

• Authorization to work in the United States. Depending on the federal contract, certain assignments may also require U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a federal background investigation and security clearance.

Benefits:

The role offers a competitive compensation package alongside flexibility and professional support, including:

• Annual salary range of $200,000–$250,000, depending on job category, location, skills, and experience.

• Fully remote work arrangement.

• Annual stipend.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions.

• Flexible paid time off (PTO).

• Paid holidays.

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