Associate Director, Software Engineering

Confidential Careers; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers in New York City seeks an Associate Director, Software Engineering to lead hands-on backend development and architecture decisions. The role centers on Java, APIs, and scalable platforms within a large global organization.

You will work in a hybrid setting (2–3 days in the Manhattan office) with significant AWS usage, modernization projects, and collaboration with engineers, architects, and product teams.

Qualifications

• Hands-on engineering role with deep Java expertise.
• Experience designing and developing APIs and modern software applications.
• Strong backend software engineering background with cloud environments (AWS).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, able to explain technical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and enhance scalable software applications and services.
• Work primarily on backend development using Java, while contributing across the full technology stack.
• Build and support APIs, services, and modern application architectures.
• Contribute to coding, technical design, and implementation decisions.
• Operate within an AWS-based environment and collaborate with engineers and architects.
• Drive modernization and greenfield technology initiatives and improve platform scalability.

Skills

Java

Backend engineering

API design

Cloud/AWS

Full-stack exposure

Communication

Hands-on leadership

Job description

Associate Director, Software Engineering

New York, NY – Manhattan

$145,000–$175,000 base salary + 10% bonus

Hybrid – 2–3 days per week in office

Please note that employment sponsorship is not available for this position, either now or in the future. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship

We are looking for an experienced Associate Director, Software Engineering to join a growing technology organization in New York City.

This is a highly hands-on engineering opportunity for someone with deep Java expertise who enjoys building scalable applications, making technical decisions, and contributing directly to the development of modern technology platforms.

The organization is making significant investments in technology, including modernization, greenfield development, AI initiatives, and improvements to existing platforms and processes. This role offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact while working within a large, established global organization.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design, develop, and enhance scalable software applications and services
• Work primarily on backend development using Java, while contributing across the full technology stack
• Build and support APIs, services, and modern application architectures
• Contribute directly to coding, technical design, and implementation
• Make and communicate thoughtful technical and architectural decisions
• Work within an AWS-based environment
• Collaborate closely with engineers, architects, and other technology stakeholders
• Contribute to modernization and greenfield technology initiatives
• Help improve the scalability, efficiency, and reliability of technology platforms

What We’re Looking For

• Strong professional experience with Java
• Deep backend software engineering experience
• Experience designing and developing APIs and modern software applications
• Experience working with AWS or cloud-based environments
• Full-stack engineering exposure, with particularly strong backend capabilities
• Strong understanding of software design and architecture
• Ability to clearly explain technical decisions, trade-offs, and alternative approaches
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Comfortable remaining 100% hands-on with development at the Associate Director level
• Ability to work from the Manhattan office 2–3 days per week
• Industry background is flexible — the focus is primarily on technical capability, hands-on engineering expertise, and communication skills.