Director of Software Integration

Forterra • Arlington, VA

15d

About The Position

The Director of Software Integration is a leadership role responsible for overseeing the successful integration of software from our core product teams into customer-facing platforms. This leader ensures that all deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, scalability, and reliability. Beyond integration, this role owns the full software development lifecycle within the engineering team—defining strategy, driving execution, fostering a strong engineering culture, and managing high-performing teams. As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director of Software Integration plays a critical role in shaping the company’s technical direction and aligning software development initiatives with broader business and customer objectives.

Requirements

• Proven experience (10+ years) in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Proven (5 years) experience delivering integrated HW and SW products into dynamic markets
• Experience in automotive, mobility, aerospace, or complex robotics embedded systems industries
• Strong background in software integration and delivering high-quality, customer-facing platforms
• Deep understanding of the full software development lifecycle and modern development practices (Agile, DevOps, CI/CD)
• Demonstrated success in leading engineering teams across strategy, execution, and culture
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Familiarity with Docker, Jenkins, Git, and artifact management tools

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with safety-critical or regulated software environments
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• Familiarity with QNX environments and the ability to configure and debug them on target hardware
• Exposure to software and systems verification environments (e.g., HIL systems, Vector toolchains, custom CI rigs)
• Understanding of secure boot, OTA updates, and system-level cybersecurity topics
• Deep understanding of Linux-based embedded systems (Yocto, systemd, bootloaders, device trees)
• Experience with bring-up on industrial or automotive-grade SoCs (e.g., NVIDIA Orin/Thor, Qualcomm SA8295/SA8650, NXP, TI)

Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of core product team software into customer vehicle platforms
• Ensure seamless platform delivery that meets stringent quality and performance standards
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, QA, and operations teams to enable smooth deployments
• Define and implement the software development strategy, aligned with company goals
• Lead the full SW lifecycle: planning, architecture, development, testing, release, and maintenance for programs of record
• Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performing engineering organization that fosters innovation and accountability
• Promote best practices in software engineering, including CI/CD, testing automation, and scalable architectures
• Partner with the VP of Mission Delivery, Head of HW Integration and other senior leaders to implement technology strategies across multiple vehicle platform programs
• Drive technical decision-making and provide feedback into long-term architectural roadmaps that enable scalability and high level of quality
• Align engineering execution with customer requirements, business priorities, and product roadmaps
• Drive accelerated vehicle integration timelines for the different vehicle platforms used by our customers
• Create a culture of ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering teams
• Ensure clear communication of vision, priorities, and expectations across all levels
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and talent development across the department

Benefits

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

What This Job Offers

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