Director of Engineering

Expression•Washington, DC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Expression is seeking a Director of Engineering to join our team and Lead our Federal Services Unit. The Director of Engineering is responsible for defining and executing the organization’s engineering strategy in support of mission-driven outcomes. This role provides strategic, technical and operational leadership across engineering functions, ensuring delivery of scalable, secure, and innovative solutions to our federal clients and national security environments. Location Hybrid in the DMV area with visits to our HQ office and clients' offices as needed. Active Secret clearance or above ideal or eligible to obtain clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) Minimal Travel (<10%)

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline
15+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 7 years in engineering leadership roles
Expertise in cloud platforms including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud
Strong experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
Deep knowledge of DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software delivery practices
Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code tools including Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation
Experience with data engineering, including pipelines, data lakes, and analytics platforms
Hands-on experience building generative AI solutions
Experience delivering solutions within government or national security environments
Proven success designing and deploying scalable, secure enterprise systems
Experience in client-facing roles including pre-sales and delivery engagements
Demonstrated leadership of cloud and system modernization initiatives
U.S. Citizenship required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
Relevant certifications such as PMP, Certified Scrum Professional, or cloud architect certifications
Active Secret clearance or above ideal or eligible to obtain clearance

Responsibilities

Define and lead engineering roadmaps, ensuring seamless transition from contract award to execution while accelerating mission delivery and building customer trust
Shape enterprise technology strategy and drive consistent engineering practices to influence future organizational capabilities
Mentor engineers across the organization to foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement
Stay ahead of emerging technologies to maintain competitive advantage and mission effectiveness
Establish architectural governance frameworks to ensure compliance, security, and performance standards across programs
Lead solution architecture design aligned to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles
Develop cloud-native and hybrid architectures across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Drive modernization initiatives leveraging containers, microservices, APIs, and serverless technologies
Champion DevSecOps practices, embedding security throughout the software development lifecycle
Promote Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, and CloudFormation
Define governance frameworks ensuring adherence to cybersecurity and regulatory requirements
Ensure systems meet compliance standards required in government and national security environments
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients, translating complex challenges into high-value solutions
Lead pre-sales and post-sales technical engagements, communicating solution feasibility and value
Build and maintain strong client relationships to drive long-term success and repeat business
Align engineering, sales, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions
Lead and scale high-performing engineering teams focused on execution excellence
Mentor and develop engineering talent, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement
Establish documentation and sustainment strategies to ensure long-term system reliability and maintainability