Director, SW Development

Nokia; Espoo; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Annual bonus

Health and well‑being support

Job summary

Nokia Defense hakee johtavaa ohjelmistokehityksen johtajaa Keski-/Länsi-Euroopan turhan varustuksessa, jossa vastaat yhteiskunnan turvallisuutta palvelevan Connectivity‑tuotannon kehittämisestä ja toimituksesta. Rooliin kuuluu korkean suorituskyvyn ohjelmistoyksikön rakentaminen yhteistyössä defence‑asiakkaiden kanssa.

Vahvat kokemukset ohjauksesta, turvallisesta ohjelmistokehityksestä ja tekoälypohjaisista kehitysstrategioista ovat avainasemassa.

Qualifications

• M.Sc. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications or Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of R&D leadership experience in software development within telecommunications or defense sectors.
• Strong Connectivity domain knowledge (Radio, Core and/or Network Management).
• Fluent English and Finnish or Swedish language skills.
• Candidate needs to pass a valid Finnish security clearance check.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a team of software architects, technical experts and software development engineers.
• Define and execute the defense software delivery aligned with Nokia Defense Connectivity roadmap.
• Act as a senior technology leader in engagements with defense customers, military organizations, and strategic industry partners.
• Ensure excellence in software delivery through agile, CI/CD, security-by-design, and automation practices.
• Drive adoption of AI-enabled software development practices, automation, and engineering productivity tools.
• Promote secure software development practices and cybersecurity awareness across engineering teams.
• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability and technical excellence.
• Support individual career development, coaching and performance.

Skills

Connectivity domain

Generative AI

R&D leadership

Executive communication

Agile / CI/CD

Finnish security clearance

Education

M.Sc. in Computer Science / Software Engineering / Electrical Engineering

Job description

Tiivistelmä työpaikkailmoituksesta:

• You will lead and deliver secure, mission‑critical Connectivity software and build a high‑performing development team.


• You will drive agile CI/CD, security‑by‑design, automation and AI‑enabled engineering practices to meet product and customer commitments.


• The role requires an M.Sc., over 10 years of R&D leadership in telecom or defense, Connectivity domain expertise, generative AI knowledge, and valid Finnish security clearance.


• You will collaborate with Product Management, R&D, Bell Labs, customers and partners, and enjoy hybrid working, benefits and a performance‑based bonus.

As a Director, Software Development in Nokia Defense, you are accountable for developing and delivering SW for Connectivity products and solutions. You will be driving the development and delivery of secure, mission-critical software solutions in collaboration with our defense customers. You will build a high-performing software development unit, advance software innovation, and ensuring successful execution of product and customer commitments.

Nokia Defense develops secure, resilient, and mission‑critical communication solutions for defense and government customers. Our solutions combine advanced radio technologies, secure networking, software platforms, cloud‑native architectures, sensing capabilities, and next‑generation communications systems to support demanding operational environments.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Your responsibility

• Establish and lead a team of software architects, technical experts and software development engineers


• Define and execute the defense software delivery aligned with Nokia Defense Connectivity roadmap


• Act as a senior technology leader in engagements with defensecustomers, military organizations, and strategic industry partners.


• Ensure excellence in software delivery through agile, CI/CD, security‑by‑design, and automation practices.


• Drive adoption of AI-enabled software development practices, automation, and engineering productivity tools.


• Promote secure software development practices and cybersecurity awareness across engineering teams.


• Foster a culture of ownership, accountability and technical excellence


• Support individual career development, coaching and performance

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Product Management and R&D teams to translate customer and business requirements into successful software solutions.


• Collaborate with customer teams to support innovation, customer commitments, and delivery objectives.


• Foster strong collaboration across Nokia organizations, including Bell Labs research, NI and MI product development, and technology teams.


• Build effective relationships with external partners and technology ecosystems to accelerate innovation and delivery.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the Connectivity domain including Radio, Core and/or Network Management systems


• M. Sc. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Telecommunications or Electrical Engineering


• Over 10 years of R&D leadership experience in software development within telecommunications or defense sectors


• Demonstrated skills in successful technology innovation and/or co‑creation with customers


• Deep understanding of generative AI technologies andmodern software engineering practices


• Experience leveraging AI and automation to improve software development productivity and quality


• You have demonstrated flexibility and capability to work in agile and changing environment


• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.


• Experience driving organizational transformation, business growth, and operational excellence.


• You have English and Finnish or Swedish language skills


• Candidate needs to pass/have a valid Finnish security clearance check.

Preferred Experience

• Experience operating in security‑sensitive or mission‑critical environments.


• Experience with secure communications systems, tactical networking, command‑and‑control environments.


• Experience in collaborating with armed forces, NATO‑related organizations, or defense industry partners.


• Demonstrated success in delivering complex customer‑facing programs and products.

ABOUT USAdvancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Learn more about life at Nokia.

Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Some of our benefits in Finland:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work–life balance


• A minimum of 90 days of Maternity and Paternity Leave based on eligibility


• Edenred benefit voucher - 400€ per year


• Annual bonus - based on individual and company performance


• Health and well‑being support - occupational health services, well‑being programs, employee resource groups, reimbursement for spectacle lenses, life insurance and gyms at every site


• Personal Support Service 24/7 – a confidential support channel open to all Nokia employees and their families in challenging situations


• Share in Success – voluntary employee share purchase plan


• Employee Referral program – reward yourself and support Nokia by referring a friend to apply to Nokia


• Career growth & learning - technical career path, job rotation, coaching and digital learning platforms


• Car benefit – the eligibility for a company car is based on employee’s job grade