Director of Engineering – Remote

Symetra • ,

25d • $171,300 - $285,600 • Remote

About The Position

Symetra is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead its Digital Experience engineering organization and drive the technology behind customer, partner, and employee experiences. The role defines technology strategy, builds and develops high-performing engineering teams, and delivers secure, scalable digital products that create measurable business value.

As a strategic technology leader, the Director partners across Product, Architecture, UX, and business teams to modernize capabilities, accelerate delivery, and shape Symetra’s digital ecosystem. The role fosters an engineering culture centered on innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

The position leads large-scale modernization, cloud transformation, and digital product initiatives from concept through production delivery. It oversees the design, development, and operation of secure, scalable, cloud-native solutions leveraging AWS and modern engineering frameworks, while balancing innovation, technical debt reduction, risk management, and operational stability. The role provides executive-level guidance and investment recommendations on technology priorities and engineering resources.

This is a remote-first role with flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements. The role requires travel as needed; newly hired people leaders with direct reports must complete a leadership development program within their first year, including virtual and in-person training at Symetra’s Bellevue, Washington headquarters. Symetra covers related travel and accommodation expenses. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; employer visa sponsorship is not provided. Remote employees must have an internet connection of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload using fiber, cable, or DSL.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience leading software engineering teams and delivering enterprise technology solutions, including experience leading managers and senior technical talent.
• Proven success leading engineering organizations responsible for customer-facing digital products, platforms, or experiences.
• Track record of translating business strategy into technology roadmaps and delivering complex, large-scale initiatives.
• Experience building and scaling cloud-native applications and platforms in AWS, including modern architecture and serverless technologies.
• Deep expertise in Agile development, DevSecOps, CI/CD, software delivery, platform reliability, and engineering operations.
• Ability to attract, develop, and retain high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive and growth-oriented culture.
• Ability to influence and partner with executives, business stakeholders, product leaders, and technical teams to drive alignment and results.
• Experience balancing innovation, operational excellence, risk management, and technology modernization efforts.
• Experience enhancing engineering practices and transforming the SDLC with AI.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including prioritization, resource planning, budgeting, and investment decision-making.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to inspire teams and drive organizational change.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of experience and a high school diploma.
• Ability to travel as needed to support the business.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States at hire and maintain authorization throughout employment; employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided.
• Must meet Symetra’s remote network minimum requirements: at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload via fiber, cable, or DSL; satellite, cellular broadband, other wireless technology, and wired dial-up are not permitted.

Nice To Haves

• Experience within insurance, financial services, or another highly regulated industry.
• Relevant cloud or technology certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing engineering organization, fostering an inclusive culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Define and execute technology strategies aligned with business priorities, customer needs, and long-term organizational goals.
• Partner with Product, Architecture, UX, and business leaders to deliver modern digital experiences and enterprise capabilities.
• Drive large-scale modernization, cloud transformation, and digital product initiatives from concept through production delivery.
• Champion engineering best practices, including Agile delivery, DevSecOps, CI/CD, automation, security, quality, and reliability.
• Oversee the design, development, and operation of secure, scalable, cloud-native solutions leveraging AWS and modern engineering frameworks.
• Build, coach, and retain engineering talent, including leaders, architects, and individual contributors.
• Establish partnerships with vendors and technology partners to support product delivery, platform evolution, and operational excellence.
• Balance innovation, technical debt reduction, risk management, and operational stability across the technology portfolio.
• Provide executive-level leadership, strategic guidance, and investment recommendations related to technology priorities and engineering resources.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%.
• Paid vacation and sick time, flex days, and ten paid holidays.
• Company matching to double employees’ community-giving impact.
• Company annual bonus program eligibility.
• Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements.
• Symetra covers travel and accommodation expenses for required in-person leadership development training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director