What Does a Director of Engineering Do?

A Director of Engineering plays a crucial role in any tech organization.

This position sits at the intersection of engineering, management, and strategy, ensuring that all engineering efforts align with the company’s goals and are executed efficiently.

Let’s explore the responsibilities, typical career paths, and qualifications required for this vital role. To do so we will be using Pennymac’s current Director of Engineering opening as our key example.

 

Responsibilities of a Director of Engineering

A Director of Engineering is tasked with a myriad of responsibilities, ranging from strategic planning to team management. Here are some core duties:

• Strategic Direction and Vision: They provide strategic direction to engineering teams, ensuring that their work aligns with the company’s objectives. This involves setting goals, defining the engineering roadmap, and overseeing the implementation of best practices.
• Leadership: They provide strategic direction to engineering teams, ensuring that their work aligns with the company’s objectives. This involves setting goals, defining the engineering roadmap, and overseeing the implementation of best practices.
• Collaboration: Directors of Engineering work closely with other departments, such as product management, sales, and marketing, to ensure that engineering efforts support broader business goals. They often serve as the voice of engineering in cross-functional meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Quality and Scalability: They ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure software solutions. They ensure that engineering projects are delivered on time and within budget. This includes resource planning, setting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), and removing any roadblocks that may hinder progress.
• Talent Development: This role involves hiring and leading multiple engineering teams, often through managers and technical leads. A Director of Engineering must mentor and develop these leaders, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

 

A Typical Day in the Life

At Pennymac, the Director of Engineering reports to the Head of Engineering and collaborates with Product Managers. Their day involves leading scrum teams, making technology decisions, and staying abreast of the latest industry trends. They focus on creating a tech environment that promotes trust, feedback, and continuous improvement.

 

Education and Skill Requirements

Becoming a Director of Engineering typically requires a blend of education, technical expertise, and management experience:

• Education Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is often required. Advanced degrees can be beneficial and are heavily sought after by employers, but are not always necessary.

• Leadership and Mentorship: The ability to lead and inspire teams, mentor junior leaders, and foster a positive, growth-oriented work environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of programming languages, software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Scrum), and modern technology stacks. Experience with cloud platforms and serverless technologies is often required.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to align engineering efforts with business goals, set strategic priorities, and make informed decisions that drive the company forward.
• Operational Acumen: Proficiency in project management, resource allocation, budgeting, and setting and tracking performance metrics.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, crucial for collaborating with other departments and presenting to senior leadership.

 

The Path to Becoming a Director of Engineering

The journey to becoming a Director of Engineering generally involves climbing the ranks from individual contributor roles to leadership positions. Here’s a typical career progression:

1. Individual Contributor: Starting as a software engineer, gaining hands-on experience in coding and problem-solving.
2. Technical Lead: Leading small teams, taking on more responsibilities, and honing leadership skills.
3. Engineering Manager: Managing larger teams, overseeing projects, and aligning team efforts with business objectives.
4. Director of Engineering: Taking on a strategic role, managing multiple teams, and contributing to organizational strategy.

 

Highlighted Opportunity: Director of Engineering at Pennymac

About Pennymac

Pennymac (NYSE: PFSI) is a prominent financial services firm specializing in mortgage loans and investment management. Pennymac is dedicated to helping millions of Americans achieve homeownership and offers a dynamic work culture focused on innovation and collaboration.

 

Job Responsibilities

The Director of Engineering at Pennymac will:

• Lead and mentor several scrum teams.
• Define and execute the software engineering roadmap.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align engineering efforts with business goals.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure software solutions.
• Stay updated with the latest engineering trends and technologies.
• Foster a culture of integrity, trust, and continuous improvement.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Over five years of experience in leading software engineering teams.
• Proficiency in Python, React, and cloud technologies (AWS preferred).
• Strong understanding of Agile and Scrum principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

 

Location and Benefits

This role is based in either Cary, NC, or Agoura Hills, CA. Pennymac offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, retirement benefits, and more.

 

Why Join Pennymac?

Joining Pennymac means being part of one of the top mortgage lenders in the country. With a commitment to sustainable growth, equity, and inclusion, Pennymac provides a supportive and dynamic environment for its employees. The company values accountability, reliability, and ethics, making it an excellent place for professional growth.

 

Conclusion

A Director of Engineering plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of engineering teams and the achievement of organizational goals. With the right blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and strategic vision, this role offers a rewarding career path. If you’re ready to take on the challenge and make a significant impact, consider the exciting opportunity at Pennymac. Apply today and be a part of a team that is transforming the future of homeownership.

 

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