Director of Engineering (State)

Nava PBC

2d • $207,400 - $229,000 • Remote

About The Position

Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple and effective. Since 2015, federal, state, and local agencies have trusted Nava to help solve highly scrutinized technology modernization challenges. As a client services company, we guide agencies constrained by legacy systems to a future with sharp user experiences built on secure, reliable, fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure. We bill for our time, offering our expertise and problem-solving approach to help our government partners enhance their digital products and services. People are at the heart of our work, from members of the public who rely on benefit programs to government agency staff. Through human-centered design and modern engineering best practices, we help our government partners understand user needs and deliver on their missions more effectively. This focus gives everyone at Nava the opportunity to do work that is meaningful, impactful, and deeply connected to public good.
This role is open for multiple levels and titles. Final title/compensation will be determined by how your interview weighs against our core competencies during your interview cycle.
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.
You will ensure delivery is predictable, high-quality and aligned to client and company goals, while developing engineering leaders and strengthening technical and delivery practices. You will partner with program and client stakeholders as needed 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
• Must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, 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
• Must 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed