About the RoleWe are seeking aDirector of Software Engineeringto provide strategic leadership and operational excellence across our software development organization. This role is heavily focused on people leadership, vendor management, cross-functional coordination, and scaling engineering operations within a regulated medical device context.The ideal candidate brings strong experience leading multiple engineering teams and external partners, with a proven ability to align execution with business priorities, quality standards and regulatory requirements.Key Responsibilities:Strategic Engineering LeadershipOwn the planning, execution, and delivery of software development programs across multiple teams.Align delivery schedules, capacity, and resources with agreed business and product priorities.Proactively identify execution risks, constraints, and dependencies; communicate early and drive mitigation plans.Ensure engineering outcomes support company objectives, regulatory expectations, and product roadmaps.Operational & Process ExcellenceDrive consistent engineering execution by refining development processes and improving delivery practices.Ensure teams operate effectively within Agile frameworks while meeting medical device quality and documentation standards.Oversee training, certification, and compliance with internal processes and applicable regulatory requirements.Optimize team structures, roles, and resource allocation to improve throughput, predictability, and responsiveness.Vendor & Partner ManagementOversee and manage external software vendors and development partners.Ensure vendors deliver against defined SLAs, quality standards, and timelines.Establish regular vendor performance reviews and maintain clear documentation of deliverables.Escalate and resolve vendor-related commercial, technical, or schedule issues efficiently.Cross-functional Planning & CommunicationPartner closely with Product Management, Quality, Regulatory, QA, and business stakeholders to define and execute development plans.Provide clear, concise reporting on progress, capacity, risks, and outcomes to executive leadership.Ensure effective prioritization and alignment of engineering efforts with broader organizational goals.Qualifications12+ years of experience in software engineering management.Proven experience scaling and leading multiple engineering teams in a startup or high-growth environment.Demonstrated success managing software vendors and multi-vendor ecosystems.Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and modern software delivery practices.Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.Preferred ExperienceExperience working in regulated industries such as medical devices, healthcare, life sciences, or finance.Familiarity with compliance-driven software development (e.g., design controls, documentation, audits).Exposure to infrastructure management and modern DevOps practices.For a confidential conversation about the role please apply for the role or contact Owen Clancy at By applying to this job post you agree that Sterling Engineering may process your personal data for recruitment purpose.