Director of Software Engineering (Systems Software)

United States Digital Space LLC; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 168,300 - 227,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work pattern

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Cambridge, United Kingdom, is seeking a Director of Software Engineering to guide a broad organization spanning kernel, drivers, userspace, and system modelling tools.

This high-impact leadership role combines low-level systems expertise with large-scale delivery, overseeing a distributed team of 60+ engineers within a 300+ organisation, shaping performance, efficiency and scalability.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, distributed software engineering teams.
• Strong systems software background with kernel or drivers experience.
• Ability to connect low-level implementation to system-level outcomes.
• Proven track record delivering performance or efficiency improvements.
• Experience growing senior technical leaders.

Responsibilities

• Set direction and drive execution across kernel, drivers and userspace domains.
• Lead a global, 60+ engineer organization and develop leadership capabilities.
• Collaborate with architecture, hardware and product groups.
• Define and maintain clear roadmaps balancing near-term delivery with strategy.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration and influence technical direction.

Skills

Distributed leadership

Kernel development

Device drivers

Power and performance

System performance

Job description

Job ID 2026-16831 Date posted Jul. 28, 2026 Location Cambridge, United Kingdom Category Software Engineering

OVERVIEW

the company is looking for a Director of Software Engineering to help lead a broad organisation spanning Systems Software (Kernel, Firmware, Power), Userspace (Performance and Enablement) and System Modelling tools.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the intersection of low-level systems software and large-scale engineering delivery. You'll guide a distributed team of 60+ engineers (within a wider organisation of 300+), shaping software that directly influences the performance, efficiency, and scalability of the company-based platforms!

You'll bring together expertise across kernel, drivers, and userspace to deliver meaningful improvements in real-world systems, while collaborating across the company and the wider open-source ecosystem.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

You'll set direction, enable teams, and drive execution across multiple domains. In practice, this includes:

• Leading and developing a globally distributed organisation of 60+ engineers
• Aligning priorities across kernel, drivers, and userspace teams
• Collaborating with architecture, hardware, and product groups to deliver co-optimised solutions
• Setting clear roadmaps that balance near-term delivery with long-term strategy
• Building strong leadership capability and supporting the growth of senior engineers
• Influencing across a complex organisation to bring teams together around shared goals

WHAT YOU BRING

We're looking for Directors who can lead at scale while staying close to the technology, with the depth to guide direction and challenge thinking.

• Experience leading large, distributed software engineering teams (60+ engineers)
• Strong systems software background, with hands‑on experience in one or more of the following:
• Linux kernel development
• Device driver development (e.g. media, graphics, or similar subsystems)
• Power and performance engineering, including system-level optimisation
• Ability to connect low-level implementation (kernel, drivers, firmware) to system-level performance, efficiency, and scalability outcomes
• Track record of delivering measurable improvements in performance, power, or system behaviour in production environments
• Experience developing high-performing teams and growing senior technical leaders
• Credibility to engage deeply with engineers across the stack and influence technical direction

NICE TO HAVE

• Media, graphics, or multimedia subsystem experience
• Android or userspace performance exposure
• Familiarity with the company architecture or hardware/software co-design
• Experience working with open-source communities

WHY JOIN the company?

This role offers the opportunity to lead across a broad and strategically critical part of the company’s software ecosystem, influencing everything from low-level kernel behaviour to end‑user performance in real-world workloads.

You'll work in an environment that values deep technical expertise, collaborative problem-solving, and bold thinking, with the scope to make a measurable impact across billions of devices.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Hybrid working: 2 days per week in our Cambridge office
• Clear progression path toward Senior Director level

Our 10x Mindset

At the company, we believe progress happens when people are empowered to think bigger and push beyond what seems possible. Our 10x mindset is about curiosity, ambition and creating impact that will be used by millions. We learn fast, prioritise collaboration and turn bold ideas into real technology. We look for people who are inspired by this way of working and want to grow in an environment where bold ideas are welcomed. Discover how the 10x mindset shapes life at the company: https://careers.the company.com/10x-mindset

Use of AI in Your Application

At the company, we embrace the benefits AI can bring, including in recruitment. You may use AI to support your preparation, such as improving the clarity of written responses, practicing interview questions, or learning more about our industry. However, your application and interview responses must reflect your own thinking, experience, and abilities. We want to understand your authentic perspective, creativity, and approach to problem solving. As such, you may not use AI to complete assigned tasks as part of any assessments. If you plan to use AI-supported or assistive technologies as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact [e-mail] so we can support you.

Recruitment Adjustments and Accommodations

At the company, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail]. To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by the company to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.

Hybrid Working

the company's approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face to face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team’s needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.

Equal Opportunities

the company is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Salary Range

£168300 * £227700

per year