Director Of Software Engineering and Architecture

Director Of Software Engineering And ArchitectureAt 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to make learning limitless– and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class higher education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading online learning platform, 2U powers thousands of higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with our college, university, and corporate partners, we are helping accelerate careers and transform lives.What We're Looking For:2U is looking for a highly technical, hands-on Director of Software Engineering with deep experience in modern cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, and full-stack platform development. This role combines technical leadership, architectural ownership, and delivery accountability across large-scale digital platforms supporting student/learner experience, applications, and data ecosystems.This is not a traditional management-only role. You will operate as a player-coach, actively engaging in system design, architecture reviews, and technical decision-making while leading globally distributed engineering teams.You will own both how systems are built and how they are delivered, ensuring scalable, secure, and high-performing platforms aligned with business outcomes. The ideal candidate has built and scaled complex systems, understands trade-offs deeply, and can drive end-to-end delivery with strong engineering rigor.Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:Engineering & Platform LeadershipOwn and drive the architecture and engineering strategy for scalable, cloud-native platforms across student/learner experience, applications, and data ecosystems.Lead the design and evolution of systems using:Backend: Python, Ruby on Rails, Clojure, or ElixirFrontend: React, TypeScript, or HTML/CSSData: MySQL, PostgreSQLDefine and implement API-first, microservices, and event-driven architectures using modern design patterns.Establish architectural standards across frontend, backend, and integrations, including scalability, resiliency, security, and performance optimization.Drive build vs. buy vs. partner decisions, balancing speed, cost, and long-term platform ownership.Ensure systems are designed for high availability, observability, and global scale.Delivery, AI & DevOps ExecutionAct as a hands-on technical leader across engineering and DevOps, owning how systems are designed, built, deployed, and operatedLead architecture and design reviews, code quality, and resolution of complex production issuesOwn end-to-end delivery and operations, including release cycles, system reliability, uptime, and performanceDrive DevOps practices across:CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Jenkins, ArgoContainers: Docker, Kubernetes (EKS)Infrastructure as Code: TerraformObservability and monitoringLead and mentor teams, ensuring accountability for both delivery outcomes and production stabilityEnable and guide adoption of AI/ML capabilities, including:Integrating AI services, APIs, and intelligent workflows into platformsLeveraging AI for automation, personalization, and engineering productivity (e.g., code generation, testing, operational insights)Establish strong execution discipline through:Definition of Ready / Done, sprint rigor, and release governanceMetrics such as velocity, cycle time, deployment frequency, MTTR, and uptimeAgile Leadership & CollaborationWork closely with engineering, product, partner operations, and data teams in Agile environments.Translate long-term architectural vision into incremental, executable delivery plans.Participate actively in PI planning, sprint reviews, and technical design forums.Mentor senior engineers, tech leads, and solution architects.Things That Should Be In Your Background:12–15+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, with 5+ years in leadership rolesProven experience as a hands-on technical leader across engineering and DevOpsStrong expertise in at least one of the following in each area:Languages: Python, TypeScript (Ruby, Clojure, or Elixir a plus)Frontend: React ecosystemDatabases: MySQL, PostgreSQLOpenAI API (GPT models, embeddings, function calling), Azure OpenAI Service, Amazon Bedrock, Google Vertex AIDeep experience with AWS cloud ecosystem, Docker & Kubernetes (EKS), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Argo), Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)Experience designing and operating: Microservices architectures/Event-driven systems (Kafka or similar)Proven experience owning production systems, uptime, and operational excellenceOther Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:Experience in EdTech, Digital Media, eCommerce, or SaaS platformsExperience building or scaling high-traffic, customer-facing platformsExposure to data platforms and event-driven data architecturesExperience modernizing legacy systems into cloud-native architecturesExperience working with global, distributed engineering teamsExperience with Scaled Agile (e.g., SAFe), PI Planning, and driving delivery predictability across multiple teams.While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Arlington, VA two days a week.Benefits & CultureOur global employee base is a diverse collection of innovators, dreamers, and doers working together to transform lives through higher education. We believe that every employee can advance our shared purpose, and that life at 2U should be fun and meaningful. If you're excited by the opportunity to provide millions of learners and counting with access to world-class higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference.We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance. Full-time, U.S. benefits include:Medical, dental, and vision coverageLife insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer matchFree snacks and drinks in-officeGenerous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTOAdditional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter breakThe anticipated base salary range for this role is ($232,100 - $264,200), with potential bonus eligibility. Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.2U Diversity and Inclusion StatementAt 2U, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion. We are proud of the steps we've taken to bring together an employee base that embodies diverse walks of life, ideas, genders, ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and other unique qualities. We strive to offer a workplace where every employee feels empowered by what makes us different, as well as by how we are alike.2U is committed to providing reasonable accommodations during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at: View email address on click.appcast.io 2U2U partners with the world's top universities and companies to develop and deliver education programs that accelerate careers and transform lives. Through partnerships with the world's leading colleges, universities, and companies, 2U delivers thousands of online programs to millions of learners worldwide on edX, its global learning platform. From executive education and professional credentialing to master's degree programs and free, open courses, 2U transforms