Senior Director of Software Engineering

Karat; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 216,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Karat is seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead a global engineering organization. This role involves driving technological innovation, managing engineering teams, and collaborating closely with product leadership to shape the future of technical interviewing. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in software engineering and a passion for building inclusive, high-performing cultures.

Benefits

Employer-sponsored healthcare

401(k) match of 4%

Flexible Savings Account

Mental wellness support

Flexible vacation policy

24 weeks parental leave

Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Strong technical background with hands-on experience in code review and architecture.
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams, especially in collaboration with teams in India.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a diverse team of software engineers.
• Drive technology innovation, particularly in AI, to transform business models.
• Ensure end-to-end ownership of the software experience across teams.

Skills

Leadership

Technical Innovation

Project Management

Agile Development

Job description

As the Senior Director of Software Engineering at Karat, you will lead a global engineering organization responsible for our flagship products, bringing together architecture and organization into a cohesive solution that transforms technical talent assessment. You'll serve as an equal partner to Product leadership in driving forward our vision for the future of interviewing, while managing Engineering leaders and professionals with both hands-on and strategic oversight. As a technology innovator, you'll identify how cutting-edge breakthroughs—particularly in AI—can transform our business model, then champion these innovations from concept to implementation.

This role will require regular travel to India.

• Team Leadership & Management : Lead, mentor, and grow a diverse team of software engineers, providing hands-on technical leadership and strategic people management in order to drive team productivity and foster a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Hands-On Contribution : Act as both a leader and an active contributor to the engineering team, ensuring that the software development process is hands-on, collaborative, and aligned with company goals.
• End-to-End Ownership : Own the complete software experience, from customer-facing applications to internal tools, ensuring cohesion across globally distributed engineering teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with key stakeholders, particularly as the core day-to-day engineering partner with the VP of Product, to build and deliver integrated solutions that solve complex challenges.
• Technology Innovation & Vision : Drive value by staying at the forefront of technological advancements, particularly in AI. Proactively identify opportunities to leverage these breakthroughs to transform our business model and interview formats. Partner equally with Product to shape the future vision of technical interviewing while leading the implementation of these innovations.
• Agile Development : In an agile environment, work iteratively, demo regularly, and adapt quickly. Be comfortable managing and delivering on tight timelines while ensuring software quality and customer satisfaction across multiple time zones and regions.
• Continuous Improvement : Develop and refine software infrastructure, team processes, and company culture to enable rapid iteration and high-velocity feature releases. Balance short- and long-term roadmap goals, addressing both customer-facing features and technical debt while considering the unique needs of a global engineering organization.

The experience you will bring

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including 5+ years in people leadership roles
• Demonstrated success leading and developing engineering managers, with proven ability to coach people managers and drive team performance
• Strong technical background with hands-on experience reviewing code and making architectural decisions while operating at a leadership level
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing teams to achieve strategic goals
• Proven experience managing geographically dispersed engineering teams, with particular emphasis on collaborating with teams in India
• Exceptional project management abilities with experience overseeing complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Passion for building inclusive, high-performing engineering cultures across different global regions

This position is only available to candidates residing in the following U.S. state : WA. While our team operates 100% remotely , we are currently limiting hiring to these specific locations. Applications from other states will not be considered at this time.

Immigration sponsorship is not available.

Benefits of joining Karat in the United States

All U.S.-based offers include a competitive salary in local currency and Karat-granted stock options. We’re proud of our additional offerings, and highlight some of our team’s favorites below.

Benefits / Wellness :

Benefits are available for all full-time, U.S. employees

• Employer-sponsored healthcare (100% premium coverage for employees and 75% premium coverage for eligible dependents) Medical (Regence PPO and HDHP available) HSA employer contribution for those enrolled in the HDHP medical plan Dental and Vision (Guardian)
• 100% employer-paid Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Standard Life Insurance
• Optional Life Insurance available
• Flexible Savings Account (Healthcare)
• 401(k) match of 4%
• 100% employer-paid mental wellness supportvia for employees and eligible dependents 10 therapy sessions per year at no cost to employee 10 coaching sessions per year at no cost to employee

Time Off :

• Vacation : flexible policy for salaried employees and three (3) work weeks available for hourly employees per year
• Wellness (Sick & Mental Health) : three (3) work weeks available per year
• Karat ‘No Questions Asked’ Leave : one (1) work week per calendar year
• Other : Bereavement, Jury Duty, LOA, etc. available as-needed

U.S. Parental Leave : 24 weeks

• 16 weeks : full-out, full pay
• 8 weeks : “Karat Phase-Back” 20 hours per week, full pay

U.S. Holidays

Compensation Varies by Geographic Location

At Karat, salary ranges for each U.S.-based position are determined by the employee's work location. We structure our compensation into geographic tiers based on market data and regional economic factors.

Please refer to our to view which tier applies to your location. If your area isn't included in our classification system, please connect with your Recruiter for specific details. These geographic classifications may be adjusted periodically.

Base Salary (GeoLo 2)$216,000—$246,853.80 USD

Additional Information

By applying for a position, you consent to the processing of your personal data in accordance with Karat’s Employee and Contractor Privacy Notice found .

Statement of Inclusivity

In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on : race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital / domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at Karat.

We value a diverse workforce : people of color, womxn, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know at.

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