Director of Engineering (State)

Nava PBC

6h•Remote

About The Position

Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation focused on making government services simple and effective since 2015. They partner with federal, state, and local agencies to modernize technology, guiding them from legacy systems to user-friendly experiences built on secure, reliable cloud infrastructure. Nava bills for its time, offering expertise to enhance digital products and services, with a focus on human-centered design and modern engineering practices to meet user needs and government missions. As a Director of Engineering, reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, you will lead and scale multiple engineering teams delivering complex, high-impact modernization programs for Nava’s state clients. You will be accountable for outcomes across a portfolio of engagements, modernizing legacy systems, data platforms, and cloud infrastructure that support services relied on by millions of Americans. The role involves ensuring predictable, high-quality delivery aligned to client and company goals, developing engineering leaders, and strengthening technical and delivery practices. You will also partner with program and client stakeholders to navigate ambiguity, manage risk, and ensure alignment in complex, highly constrained environments.

Requirements

15+ years of experience in software engineering, including leadership of engineering teams
5+ years of experience as a manager of managers, leading multiple engineering teams
Experience leading multiple engineering teams with responsibility for delivery outcomes across a 50+ engineering organization, driving alignment and technical direction across teams
Proven ability to deliver complex, ambiguous work, balancing technical quality, team development and strategic priorities
Experience owning delivery outcomes across multiple teams or initiatives, with clear accountability for quality, execution and results
Experience influencing or shaping technical strategy across teams, driving alignment and consistency in approach
Experience leading organizational or operational change, improving processes, structures or ways of working
Strong technical judgment, with the ability to raise the bar on system design, reliability and engineering practices across teams
Ability to operate effectively in constrained environments, navigating ambiguity, stakeholder complexity and evolving requirements
Legal authorization to work in the United States
Ability to meet any other requirements for government contracts for which candidates are hired
Work authorization that doesn’t require visa sponsorship, now or in the future
May be subject to a government background check or security clearance, depending on the contract
Reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
Work from the contiguous United States

Nice To Haves

Experience in client services, consulting or government technology environments
Experience modernizing legacy systems, including incremental migration, system decomposition and working within existing constraints
Track record of building and scaling engineering practices and engineering culture
Strong business acumen, with experience partnering with program management or business development to drive strategic growth
Experience identifying and applying AI/ML or generative AI opportunities in complex systems, including improving developer workflows, accelerating delivery or enhancing end-user services

Responsibilities

Lead, hire and develop engineering teams, building strong leadership capability and supporting long-term career growth
Own outcomes across a portfolio of client engagements, ensuring consistent execution, visibility into risks and high-quality outcomes
Provide technical leadership across teams, shaping strategies to address client challenges and deliver scalable, sustainable solutions
Engage directly with client stakeholders as needed to align on priorities, navigate ambiguity and build durable partnerships
Drive decision-making across competing priorities, balancing delivery timelines, technical quality and team sustainability
Strengthen engineering practices and standards across system design, quality, reliability and execution
Collaborate across engineering, program management and the broader organization to plan work, manage tradeoffs and resolve dependencies
Support business development through technical strategy, proposal input and identifying growth opportunities within existing engagements
Foster a supportive, collaborative and high-performing engineering culture

Benefits

Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
Parental leave — paid time off for new parents, plus weekly meals delivered to your home
Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through UnitedHealthcare’s virtual visit program
Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
Learning opportunities — internal training programs and resources to help grow your professional skills
Development opportunities — LinkedIn Learning access & an annual allowance for courses, tuition, & certs
Referral bonus — get rewarded when you refer great people who join the Nava team
Commuter benefits — pre-tax commuter programs to support in-office travel when applicable
Supportive culture — A collaborative and remote-friendly team environment where people genuinely care