Director of Software Engineering

ClearGov•Calgary, AB

49d•CA$160,000 - CA$190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re looking for a seasoned and results-oriented Director of Software Engineering to lead key initiatives and teams within our Engineering organization. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the execution of high-impact projects, guide and mentor engineering staff, and drive architectural and implementation decisions for new products and features. You will also shape long-term technical strategy, including proactive efforts to address technical debt and improve system scalability and maintainability. The role also involves staying current with modern engineering trends, including exploring and applying AI-driven tools and technologies to support developer productivity, code quality, and overall delivery efficiency. You’ll partner closely with Product, Design, Customer Success, Implementation, and fellow Engineering leaders to deliver scalable, high-quality solutions while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive software engineering experience, with focus on SaaS platforms
Proven experience leading and scaling engineering organizations of 30+ engineers, including managers and senior technical leaders
Experience managing globally distributed teams across multiple time zones
Strong track record defining, scaling, and governing software development processes, standards, and operational best practices
Demonstrated ownership of engineering KPIs, including delivery predictability, quality metrics, platform reliability, team productivity, and cost efficiency
Deep experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies in fast-paced, high-growth environments
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-product SaaS initiatives from strategy through execution
Strong prioritization, organizational, and execution skills with a results-oriented mindset
5+ years of experience working with SQL and relational databases
Experience leveraging AI-powered tools and modern engineering practices to improve organizational velocity, code quality, and team effectiveness
Frontend: Angular, Socket.IO, Highcharts, D3, Gulp, LESS
Backend: Node.js, Express, RabbitMQ, MySQL, Elasticsearch
Infrastructure & Tools: AWS (including S3), Git, JIRA, Confluence
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Passion for mentoring and developing engineers across both IC and management career paths
Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves leader with a strong bias toward action and delivery

Nice To Haves

Self-motivated, self-starter with a zeal to win
Great communicator; strong oral and written skills
Ability to think creatively and innovatively
Hands-on problem solver who enjoys cracking difficult nuts
Quick study – able to pick up and apply new concepts in a hurry
Track record of achievement
Enjoys working on and helping to build outstanding teams
Demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit and gets stuff done
A sense of humor and don’t take themselves too seriously

Responsibilities

Lead the Budgeting Engineering Organization Set strategic direction for the budgeting engineering organization, ensuring alignment with company objectives, long-term product vision, and customer needs.
Own Technical Strategy & Organizational Delivery Establish architectural vision and oversee execution across multiple teams, ensuring scalable, secure, and sustainable platform evolution.
Ensure Engineering Excellence at Scale Define and evolve engineering standards, quality benchmarks, and operational processes across teams to support long-term growth and reliability.
Drive Innovation & Strategic Improvement Champion modernization initiatives, tooling strategy, and AI adoption to improve organizational effectiveness and long-term velocity.
Oversee Technical Debt & Platform Investment Strategy Prioritize large-scale platform improvements and technical debt initiatives, balancing innovation with sustainability.
Collaborate Cross-Functionally at the Executive Level Partner with executive leadership to align engineering investments with company strategy, financial planning, and customer impact.
Own Organizational Planning & Resourcing Lead budgeting, headcount planning, organizational design, and delivery accountability across teams.