Director of Engineering (6-Month FTC → Permanent)
Join a private equity–backed software business entering a critical phase of growth and transformation, as a Netherlands-based Director of Engineering on an initial 6-month fixed-term contract, with a clear path to permanent leadership.
This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for an experienced engineering leader who has led medium-to-large global teams, driven change under pressure, and knows how to stabilise delivery while building a scalable engineering organisation for the future.
If you’ve stepped into complex environments before, led teams through change, and enjoy rolling up your sleeves to make things work - this role will appeal.
About the Role
This position is designed for a Netherlands-based engineering leader who can partner closely with senior stakeholders across multiple regions - including regular in-person collaboration in Norway (~2x per month).
You’ll be brought in to provide leadership continuity, improve delivery outcomes, and help shape how engineering operates as the business scales. While this is not an individual contributor role, it does require strong technical credibility and hands-on leadership.
You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders across engineering, product, and the wider business, balancing speed, quality, and pragmatism in a fast-moving, PE-backed environment. The initial engagement is a 6-month FTC, designed to move to a permanent position once the transformation and leadership impact are established. Your presence onsite during the early months will be key to building trust and influence quickly.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and scale a multi-team software engineering organisation (40–100+ engineers globally)
- Manage managers and team leads, not just individual contributors
- Stabilise delivery, improve execution, and reset accountability where needed
- Partner closely with Product leadership to drive roadmap execution and innovation
- Review architecture, delivery practices, and quality to identify root causes of issues
- Lead change initiatives across structure, ways of working, and operating model
- Support the evolution of global delivery, including offshore or distributed teams
- Act as a visible, credible engineering leader across regional offices
- Bring a strong leadership presence during the early months, especially via travel to Norway (~2x/month)
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced, outcome-driven, private equity environment
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Proven senior engineering leadership experience in a software or technology business
- Experience leading medium to large engineering teams (40–100+ people) across multiple teams
- Hands-on experience managing managers and senior technical leaders
- Background in PE-backed, high-growth, or transformation-stage organisations
- Direct experience leading organisational change, not just steady-state teams
- Strong technical credibility — able to challenge architecture, SDLC, and quality decisions
- Experience working with or leading global / offshore engineering teams
- Confidence operating under pressure, with pace and ambiguity
- A bias toward action and delivery over process for process’ sake
- Availability matters - candidates with immediate or short notice periods will be prioritised.
Why This Role?
- Real impact: This is a genuine leadership mandate, not a caretaker role
- Visibility: Direct exposure to senior leadership and decision-makers
- Challenge: A complex engineering environment where your experience will matter
- Path to perm: Clear opportunity to move into a long-term leadership role
- PE-backed momentum: Fast-paced, outcome-focused culture with backing to execute
Contract & Location
- Initial 6-month Fixed-Term Contract, with intention to convert to permanent
- Based in the Netherlands, with travel to Norway ~2x/month
- Hybrid / flexible working model, depending on location
Working in this role is an opportunity to step into a senior engineering leadership position where your experience, judgement, and delivery mindset will be tested - and valued.
