Sr Dir, Software Engineering

Blackboard; United States; Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackboard in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead product development teams through a bold transformation, building a new operating system and using AI to boost engineering value.

You will partner with Product, Design, Security, and Cloud Ops to modernize the estate, drive efficiency, and ensure compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GovRAMP while growing a global organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• You've run a large software engineering team at scale and transformed its effectiveness.
• You've leveraged artificial intelligence and automation to build and deploy software on a global scale.
• You are fluent in cost and have driven cloud spend down through frugal architectures and savings opportunities.
• You've led through structural change, delivering difficult news while retaining top talent.
• You publish service levels and seek continuous feedback to drive improvement.
• You operate globally across time zones, navigating employment norms and data residency requirements.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering transformation using AI and Software Factories to scale delivery.
• Own the estate, including premium solutions such as Ally.
• Partner with Product Management, Design, Security, and Cloud Operations.
• Build and restructure a global software engineering organization.
• Drive ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, GovRAMP compliance and audits.
• Occasional travel.

Skills

Leadership at scale

AI & automation

Cloud cost optimization

Global / cross-timezone

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Senior Director of Software Engineering

Hybrid - Phoenix, Arizona

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead and support our product development teams in the next evolution of Blackboard.

This is not a role for maintaining an existing product estate. Over the coming months, this leader will support a new operating system for the company, optimize tools and processes, and use artificial intelligence to level up software engineering to deliver more value for our customers.

The measure of success will be that the company runs better and teams move faster.

What You'll Own

• The estate. The premium and point solutions including our market leading Ally solution.
• The transformation. The operating system of our work needs to be refreshed to suit a 2026 company: to drive productivity and leverage AI. Beyond individual productivity, this role is responsible for efficiency and automation across software engineering. Your experience will help inform and implement that transformation.
• The partnership. Close working relationships with Product Management and Design, Security, and Cloud Operations. Product Development systems decisions are business decisions, and you will make them collaboratively with the leaders who depend on them.
• The team. Building, developing, and in places restructuring a global organization. Some of this work will change what roles exist. You will lead that honestly and with care.
• Audit and compliance. ISO 27001, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and GovRAMP are requirements of doing business. You know what those obligations require of corporate systems, and your team is in the room with Security and the auditors, producing evidence as needed.
• Occasional travel

What Success Looks Like

• 2026: Full assessment of current state, building a plan and beginning execution on prioritized transformations.
• 2027: By the end of 2027, transformation of engineering practices leveraging AI-DLC and Software Factories to build at scale.
• Beyond: Transition to a run/growth phase.

Required Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience

• You've run a large software engineering team at scale and transformed its effectiveness

• You've leveraged artificial intelligence and automation to build and deploy software on a global scale

• You are fluent in cost. You have driven cost out of cloud spend by frugal architect principles and/or reduced cost by finding opportunities for savings.

• You have led through structural change and treated the people involved as adults. You have delivered difficult news, kept your best people, and left a team that trusted you.

• You are comfortable being measured. You publish your service levels and look for continuous feedback to drive improvement.

• You operate globally in practice, not in theory. You have managed across time zones, navigated works councils and regional employment norms, and handled data residency requirements without treating them as an obstacle.

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Deep experience in EdTech, SaaS, or technology-enabled services. A track record of leading organizations through complex transformation initiatives and driving AI and automation programs is highly valued.

About Blackboard

Blackboard advances teaching excellence and unlocks the full potential of technology to deliver meaningful outcomes. We empower institutions to deepen connections between educators and learners, inspire engagement, and drive long-term academic success across the full learner journey. For more information, please visit www.blackboard.com.

The expected salary range for this position is $186,300 - $232,900. The range reflects base salary only and does not include additional compensation such as company bonus or benefits. Placement within the pay range will depend on a variety of factors, such as experience, skills, internal parity, and location.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the role is based at the time of hire and must maintain that authorization for the duration of employment. The company does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position.

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Blackboard is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, protected military/veteran status, or any other legally protected factor.