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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director Of Software Engineering and Architecture - **Company:** 2U - **Location:** Washington, DC, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $232,100.0 - $264,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Microsoft Azure, Clojure, Software as a Service, Cloud Engineering, Code Generation, Software Quality, Continuous Integration, Data Architecture, Dataspaces, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Github, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Machine Learning, Uptime, MySQL, Performance Tuning, Ruby on Rails, Cloud Services, Ruby, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, TypeScript, Web Platforms, Cloud Platform System, ReactJS, System Availability, Mttr, Reliability of Systems, Backend, Event Driven Architecture, AI Platforms, Kubernetes, Apache Kafka, Data Management, Front End Software Development, Api Design, Terraform, GPT, Docker, Elixir, Legacy Systems, Jenkins, Microservices - **Published:** May 31, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=e2d80e3f19d770bb ## About the Role Do you have experience in Systems engineering?, * 12-15+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with 5+ years in leadership roles * Proven experience as a hands-on technical leader across engineering and DevOps * Strong expertise in at least one of the following in each area: * + Languages: Python, TypeScript (Ruby, Clojure, or Elixir a plus) + Frontend: React ecosystem + Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL + OpenAI API (GPT models, embeddings, function calling), Azure OpenAI Service, Amazon Bedrock, Google Vertex AI * Deep experience with AWS cloud ecosystem, Docker & Kubernetes (EKS), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Argo), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) * Experience designing and operating: Microservices architectures/Event-driven systems (Kafka or similar) * Proven experience owning production systems, uptime, and operational excellence Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role: * Experience in EdTech, Digital Media, eCommerce, or SaaS platforms * Experience building or scaling high-traffic, customer-facing platforms * Exposure to data platforms and event-driven data architectures * Experience modernizing legacy systems into cloud-native architectures * Experience working with global, distributed engineering teams * Experience with Scaled Agile (e.g., SAFe), PI Planning, and driving delivery predictability across multiple teams. While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Arlington, VA two days a week. ## Description 2U is looking for a highly technical, hands-on Director of Software Engineering with deep experience in modern cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, and full-stack platform development. This role combines technical leadership, architectural ownership, and delivery accountability across large-scale digital platforms supporting student/learner experience, applications, and data ecosystems. This is not a traditional management-only role. You will operate as a player-coach, actively engaging in system design, architecture reviews, and technical decision-making while leading globally distributed engineering teams. You will own both how systems are built and how they are delivered, ensuring scalable, secure, and high-performing platforms aligned with business outcomes. The ideal candidate has built and scaled complex systems, understands trade-offs deeply, and can drive end-to-end delivery with strong engineering rigor. Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To: Engineering & Platform Leadership * Own and drive the architecture and engineering strategy for scalable, cloud-native platforms across student/learner experience, applications, and data ecosystems. * Lead the design and evolution of systems using: * + Backend: Python, Ruby on Rails, Clojure, or Elixir + Frontend: React, TypeScript, or HTML/CSS + Data: MySQL, PostgreSQL * Define and implement API-first, microservices, and event-driven architectures using modern design patterns. * Establish architectural standards across frontend, backend, and integrations, including scalability, resiliency, security, and performance optimization. * Drive build vs. buy vs. partner decisions, balancing speed, cost, and long-term platform ownership. * Ensure systems are designed for high availability, observability, and global scale. Delivery, AI & DevOps Execution * Act as a hands-on technical leader across engineering and DevOps, owning how systems are designed, built, deployed, and operated * Lead architecture and design reviews, code quality, and resolution of complex production issues * Own end-to-end delivery and operations, including release cycles, system reliability, uptime, and performance * Drive DevOps practices across: * + CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Argo + Containers: Docker, Kubernetes (EKS) + Infrastructure as Code: Terraform + Observability and monitoring * Lead and mentor teams, ensuring accountability for both delivery outcomes and production stability * Enable and guide adoption of AI/ML capabilities, including: * + Integrating AI services, APIs, and intelligent workflows into platforms + Leveraging AI for automation, personalization, and engineering productivity (e.g., code generation, testing, operational insights) * Establish strong execution discipline through: * + Definition of Ready / Done, sprint rigor, and release governance + Metrics such as velocity, cycle time, deployment frequency, MTTR, and uptime Agile Leadership & Collaboration * Work closely with engineering, product, partner operations, and data teams in Agile environments. * Translate long-term architectural vision into incremental, executable delivery plans. * Participate actively in PI planning, sprint reviews, and technical design forums. * Mentor senior engineers, tech leads, and solution architects. ## Related Videos - [What Developers Get Wrong About Application Quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/233-what-developers-get-wrong-about-application-quality) - [Coffee with Developers: David Heinemeier Hansson](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/875-coffee-with-developers-david-heinemeier-hansson) - [ Evaluating AI models for code comprehension](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1462-evaluating-ai-models-for-code-comprehension) - [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops) - [Fireside Chat with Werner Vogels, VP & CTO, Amazon.com & Daniel Gebler, CTO at Picnic](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1405-fireside-chat-with-werner-vogels-vp-cto-amazon-com-daniel-gebler-cto-at-picnic) - [Coroutine explained yet again 60 years later](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/690-coroutine-explained-yet-again-60-years-later) ## Related Articles - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)