Salesforce

Director - Software Engineering

Salesforce$197K — $313K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in software engineering, including 5+ years in leadership roles
  • Experience with building and operating large-scale distributed systems
  • Proficient in modern backend languages like Java, Go, or Python
  • Strong architecting skills on AWS or GCP with Kubernetes knowledge
  • Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence stakeholders
  • Degree in Computer Science or related field

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute a roadmap for scalable backend services
  • Drive alignment across cross-functional teams within Salesforce
  • Hire, develop, and retain a high-performing engineering team
  • Translate technical challenges into strategic business insights
  • Ensure operational excellence throughout the software development lifecycle
  • Participate in high-level design reviews and troubleshoot architectural issues

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Mental health support and paid parental leave
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching
  • Employee stock purchasing program
  • Flexible time off and work-life balance initiatives
Full Job Description

To get the best candidate experience, please consider applying for a maximum of 3 roles within 12 months to ensure you are not duplicating efforts.

Job Category

Software Engineering

Job Details

Overview of the Role:

As a Director of Software Engineering, you will lead a mission-critical segment of Salesforce’s Engineering organization. You will be responsible for the architectural integrity, scalability, and reliability of distributed services that power millions of customer interactions every second.

Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Technical Leadership: Define and execute a long-term roadmap for backend services, focusing on high availability, low latency, and massive scalability.

  • Navigate the Salesforce Matrix: Drive alignment across cross-functional "Clouds" (Sales, Service, Marketing, etc.). You will collaborate with dotted-line stakeholders and Architecture Councils to ensure your team's output integrates seamlessly into the broader ecosystem.

  • Team Scaling & Mentorship: Hire, develop, and retain a world-class org of 15–40+ engineers (including Managers and ICs). You will foster a culture of "Ownership" where engineers feel empowered to innovate.

  • Architectural Diplomacy: Act as a bridge between executive leadership and deep-tech engineering. You must be able to translate complex backend constraints into strategic business risks and opportunities.

  • Operational Excellence: Own the full software development lifecycle (SDLC). You will champion CI/CD, automated testing, and "Security-by-Design" to ensure our B2C-scale services are rock-solid.

  • Hands-on Technical Acumen: While you aren't coding daily, you are expected to participate in high-level design reviews and troubleshoot architectural bottlenecks in Java, Golang, or Python environments.

Required Qualifications:

  • Engineering Pedigree: 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 years in a significant leadership role (Manager of Managers preferred for Sr. Director).

  • Distributed Systems Mastery: Proven track record of building and operating large-scale distributed systems (Microservices, Service Mesh, Event-driven architectures).

  • Backend Tech Stack: Deep familiarity with modern backend languages (Java, Go, or Python) and data persistence layers (SQL, NoSQL, or distributed caches like Redis/Memcached).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • The "Matrix" Skillset: Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and navigate complex organizational structures to get "Buy-in" for large technical migrations.

  • Active, hands-on proficiency with AI development tools; full utilization is the baseline expectation, along with deep technical expertise sufficient to evaluate architectural integrity and make informed decisions about AI-generated output.

  • Experience assessing candidates on their ability to formulate effective prompts, evaluate AI outputs, and orchestrate multi-agent workflows in addition to foundational technical skills.

  • Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.


LI-Y*

About Salesforce

ExactTarget is a provider of on-demand email marketing software solutions. Their suite of on-demand one-to-one marketing applications enables clients to send business-critical and event-triggered communications to increase sales, optimize marketing investments, and strengthen customer relationships. They offer four editions of their on-demand software application along with integrated solutions such as ExactTarget for AppExchange and ExactTarget for [Microsoft](/organization/Microsoft) Dynamics CRM.

Salesforce Careers

Joining Salesforce means becoming part of a dynamic, global team of professionals who are deeply committed to driving customer success and innovation. As the world's leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, Salesforce offers unparalleled job opportunities in technology and consulting, making it an ideal place for ambitious individuals looking to make a significant impact.

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At Salesforce, every position is a chance to leverage your skills and creativity to transform businesses and industries. Our diverse team of experts collaborates to deliver cutting-edge solutions that foster growth and enhance leadership capabilities. By joining our team, you'll be at the forefront of digital innovation, using Salesforce's powerful platform to help clients navigate their transformation journeys.

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Benefits and Culture

At Salesforce, we understand that job satisfaction extends beyond the office. That's why we offer competitive benefits to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From health insurance and retirement plans to wellness programs and flexible working arrangements, we provide the benefits that contribute to a better work-life balance.

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Learn more about Salesforce
Size
73,541 employees
Market Cap
$130.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4 billion
Founded
2000
5 Year Trend
+25.7%
Revenue
$21.2 billion
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