Director, Engineering & Development

About the role

The Director of Engineering and Development at SH/FT is responsible for leading the engineering practice across platform engineering, web and web application development, and custom software development. This role involves engineering leadership, client delivery, and pre-sale scoping.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of front-end engineers, back-end engineers, architects, and solutions engineers
• Set and uphold technical standards, code quality practices, and engineering culture across the team
• Build team capacity and capability intentionally, identifying skill gaps and creating development pathways that keep the team ahead of client needs
• Create structure and process where it is needed, without over-engineering the way the team works
• Foster an environment where engineers can do their best work, ask hard questions, and grow professionally
• Bring a clear, informed point of view on how AI is changing software development, delivery workflows, and what it means for how a professional services engineering team should be structured and operated
• Champion the integration of AI-assisted development tools, code generation, testing automation, and other AI-enabled workflows across the engineering team
• Help SH/FT and its clients think through the implications of AI on custom development timelines, cost structures, and build-versus-buy decisions
• Stay current on the AI development landscape and translate that into practical guidance for both the team and client stakeholders
• Own the quality and integrity of engineering output across client engagements, from architecture decisions through to deployment
• Partner with project and delivery leadership to ensure engineering work is scoped correctly, resourced appropriately, and delivered on time
• Provide hands-on technical guidance and escalation support on complex or high-risk deliverables
• Maintain visibility across active engagements to identify risk early and keep delivery on track
• Identify opportunities to build reusable frameworks, accelerators, and engineering assets that improve delivery speed and consistency across engagements
• Partner with the VP of Technology Services and other practice leads to shape how SH/FT positions and grows its engineering and development capabilities

Requirements

• 8 or more years in software engineering or development roles, with at least 3 years leading engineering teams in a professional services, consulting, or agency environment
• Demonstrated experience building and developing engineering teams in environments where process is still maturing and the work requires figuring things out in real time
• Track record of managing delivery across multiple concurrent client engagements without sacrificing quality
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to lead technical conversations with client stakeholders at all levels, from developers to C-Suite executives
• Experience scoping custom development work, writing statements of work, and setting realistic client expectations around timelines and complexity
• Experience in developing and working with teams across geographical regions, including integrating nearshore and offshore teams

Skills & Capabilities

• Broad engineering fluency across front-end development, back-end systems, API design, systems integration, and cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, etc.)
• Experience working within or alongside martech ecosystems such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Marketo, or similar platforms
• Familiarity with Agile and waterfall delivery methodologies and the judgment to apply the right approach to the right engagement
• Ability to review, critique, and guide technical architecture decisions across a range of languages, frameworks, and infrastructure patterns
• Active, informed perspective on how AI is changing software development, including experience with AI-assisted coding tools, prompt engineering for development workflows, and the broader implications for engineering team structure and delivery economics
• Experience evaluating, piloting, or implementing AI-native development practices within a team or organization
• Ability to help clients and internal stakeholders think critically about AI in the context of custom development, not just as a productivity tool but as a strategic input to build-versus-buy and sourcing decisions

Benefits

• Competitive compensation aligned with your experience and impact
• Remote flexibility
• Collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and innovative thinking
• Work that makes a measurable difference for your clients