Director of Engineering

We are seeking a talented Director of Engineering to lead our engineering teams. This role focuses on people management, leadership development, and strategic oversight, ensuring our engineering teams perform at the highest level while delivering mission-critical software solutions. The Director of Engineering will leverage their expertise in defense and robotics software to drive excellence across projects, foster a high-performance culture, and mentor engineering managers and senior technical staff.

Generous relocation package offered for the right candidate. 

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead and mentor engineering teams, focusing on skill development, career growth, and creating a collaborative environment that encourages innovation
• Drive performance management initiatives, including goal setting, regular feedback, and performance evaluations, to build and maintain a high-performing engineering organization
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define the engineering strategy for defense-sector robotics software projects, ensuring alignment with overall company objectives and client needs
• Oversee the execution of engineering roadmaps, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software products and solutions that meet stringent defense standards
• Work closely with product management, program management, and R&D teams to ensure alignment between engineering deliverables and client requirements, particularly within the defense robotics domain
• Partner with business development and client-facing teams to support customer engagement, including proposal development, presentations, and on-site technical support as needed
• Provide technical direction and leadership for software development teams, ensuring that projects are well-scoped, technically feasible, and on track to meet critical milestones
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and trends in robotics, AI, and defense to assess potential applications and maintain the company’s competitive edge in the industry

Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in software engineering, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role managing large engineering teams
• Proven track record delivering robotic systems (ideally UAS) on significant government or enterprise programs.
• Strong understanding of defense-related software standards, compliance, and cybersecurity protocols (e.g., DoD, MIL-STD, NIST)
• Exceptional people management skills with demonstrated experience building, developing, and leading high-performance engineering teams
• Proficient in software development methodologies and able to implement scalable processes for teams working on complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with technical and non-technical stakeholders, managing both internal and external relationships with tact and diplomacy
• Hands-on experience with robotics frameworks, autonomous systems, and/or AI-driven software solutions
• Proficiency in languages and tools commonly used in robotics software development (e.g., ROS, C++, Python, MATLAB)
• Demonstrated experience with mentorship and coaching, supporting team members' career development and technical growth
• US / CH / EU / UK Citizenship required 

Benefits

• Flexible working hours & hybrid workplace
• Stock Options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Pension plan 
• Car parking  
• Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Learning and development opportunities
• Regular team social
• Snacks & Drinks 

About Auterion

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you’ll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.