Director of Engineering

Lisbon, Portugal (Hybrid)

Shape the Future of a Growing Engineering Organisation

We're partnering with a rapidly scaling international technology company looking to appoint a Director of Engineering to lead and grow its engineering presence in Lisbon.

This is not a role for someone who simply wants to manage teams.

We're looking for a leader who can create clarity in complexity, develop high-performing engineering managers, and build an environment where talented engineers can do their best work.

As the most senior engineering leader in Portugal, you'll have the opportunity to influence how teams operate, how technology is delivered, and how AI is integrated into everyday engineering practices.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

• A genuine opportunity to shape engineering culture and leadership.
• Significant visibility with international stakeholders and executive leadership.
• The chance to scale and develop engineering teams during an exciting growth phase.
• A company that sees AI as a strategic advantage and is investing heavily in its adoption.
• An established product organisation with the agility of a scaling business.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and support a team of Engineering Managers responsible for approximately 30 engineers across multiple product areas.
• Develop high-performing engineering leaders through coaching, feedback, and clear accountability.
• Strengthen collaboration and engagement within a distributed engineering organisation.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and challenge teams on engineering practices and delivery approaches.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase team effectiveness and delivery predictability.
• Help shape how AI is integrated into everyday engineering practices, moving beyond experimentation towards practical adoption.
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation within Portugal's technology community, building networks and supporting long-term talent attraction.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

• A genuine opportunity to shape engineering culture and leadership within a growing international organisation.
• Significant exposure to executive stakeholders and the ability to influence strategic decisions.
• The chance to lead through a period of transformation and growth.
• An organisation that views AI as a strategic priority and is actively investing in its adoption.
• The scale and complexity of an established product business combined with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a scaling organisation.

What We're Looking For

We're less interested in your current title and more interested in the impact you've had.

You have successfully led engineering organisations through periods of growth and change, developed future engineering leaders, and built teams where people can thrive while delivering exceptional results.

You bring a combination of strong people leadership, technical credibility, and a genuine passion for helping organisations evolve.

Your Experience May Include

• Leading software engineering teams in product-led organisations.
• Managing Engineering Managers and senior technical professionals.
• Working within international or distributed environments.
• Contributing to architectural discussions and system design decisions.
• Driving organisational improvements that enhance delivery, quality, and team effectiveness.
• Exploring and implementing practical applications of AI within engineering teams.
• Building relationships and engaging with the broader technology community.

What Success Looks Like

Twelve months into the role, you have:

• Built strong relationships across the Lisbon engineering organisation.
• Created clarity around ownership, accountability, and ways of working.
• Supported Engineering Managers in their development and growth.
• Helped establish effective AI-enabled engineering practices.
• Strengthened Lisbon's position as a key engineering hub within the wider organisation.

Interested?

If you're an engineering leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, shaping culture, and helping organisations navigate the future of software development, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.

Please contact me at fabienne.viegas@tech-recruitment.eu