Director, R&D Software Engineering - Legacy Platform Modernization

Clario; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Insurance from Day 1 (medical, dental,

Flexible work schedules

Attractive PTO package

Remote and hybrid work options

Job summary

Clario, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, seeks a Director of Software Engineering to lead the R&D Software Engineering organization. You will guide multiple teams delivering and modernizing established platforms, ensuring reliability, performance, and regulatory compliance across global deployments.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, architectural guidance, and mentorship while partnering with Product Management to balance modernization with operational stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with 5+ years in engineering leadership roles.
• Proven expertise in leading engineering teams supporting established/legacy software platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to modernize legacy systems while maintaining operational stability and compliance.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, life sciences, clinical technology) strongly preferred.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience partnering across Product, Quality, and Engineering.
• Ability to work effectively in a Remote/Hybrid environment (US or Canada).

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple engineering teams responsible for delivery, maintenance, and evolution of established software platforms, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability.
• Drive modernization of legacy systems, including improvements to architecture, code quality, and development practices.
• Take ownership of R&D oversight of new acquisitions.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, governance, and best practices across teams.
• Promote the effective use of AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering efficiency, code quality, and developer experience.
• Maintain a hands-on leadership approach (~20%), providing architectural guidance, technical oversight, and mentorship.
• Partner with Product Management and stakeholders to prioritize initiatives balancing modernization, debt reduction, and stability.
• Oversee software testing strategies and quality practices ensuring reliability, compliance, and performance.
• Ensure changes to legacy platforms maintain regulatory compliance and validated-system integrity.
• Identify and remove delivery bottlenecks, improving team velocity and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with Product to evaluate platform lifecycle decisions incl. consolidation, refactoring, or retirement of legacy components.
• Ensure effective resource planning, team structure, and capability development.
• Lead, coach, and develop engineering managers and senior engineers, building a strong organization.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Software architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulated industries experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Job description

At Clario, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, we transform lives by unlocking better evidence. We are seeking a talented and motivated Director of Software Engineering to join our R&D Software Engineering organization. In this role, you will provide accountable leadership for our established product platforms, drive stability and modernization across legacy systems, and help deliver reliable solutions that improve clinical research and patient lives globally. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.

What We Offer

United States

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning Day 1
• Flexible work schedules
• Attractive PTO package
• Remote and hybrid work options

Canada

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Flexible work arrangements
• Generous PTO package
• Career development and growth opportunities

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead multiple engineering teams responsible for the delivery, maintenance, and evolution of established software platforms, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability
• Drive modernization of legacy systems, including improvements to architecture, code quality, and development practices
• Take ownership of R&D oversight of new acquisitions
• Establish and enforce engineering standards, governance, and best practices across teams
• Promote the effective use of AI-assisted development tools (e.g., code generation, testing, and productivity tools) to improve engineering efficiency, code quality, and developer experience
• Maintain a hands-on leadership approach (~20%), providing architectural guidance, technical oversight, and mentorship
• Partner with Product Management and stakeholders to prioritize initiatives that balance modernization, technical debt reduction, and operational stability
• Oversee software testing strategies and quality practices, ensuring high standards for reliability, compliance, and performance
• Ensure changes to legacy platforms maintain regulatory compliance and validated-system integrity throughout the software lifecycle
• Identify and remove delivery bottlenecks, improving team velocity and cross-functional collaboration
• Partner with Product to evaluate platform lifecycle decisions, including consolidation, refactoring, or retirement of legacy components
• Ensure effective resource planning, team structure, and capability development to meet evolving business needs
• Lead, coach, and develop engineering managers and senior engineers, building a strong and sustainable organization

What We Look For

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with 5+ years in engineering leadership roles.
• Proven expertise in leading engineering teams supporting established/legacy software platforms
• Demonstrated ability to modernize legacy systems while maintaining operational stability and compliance
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, life sciences, clinical technology) strongly preferred
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience partnering across Product, Quality, and Engineering
• Ability to work effectively in a Remote/Hybrid environment (US or Canada)

At Clario, a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, our purpose is to transform lives by unlocking better evidence. It's a cause that unites and inspires us. It's why we come to work-and how we empower our people to make a positive impact every day. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation and success.

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description represent the major responsibilities of the position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned, as required. Clario reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of Clario. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract. The Department Head has the discretion to hire personnel with a combination of experience and education, which may vary from the above listed qualifications.