VP of Engineering

Darktrace is a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats every day.

Darktrace was built on a genuinely differentiated idea: that Adaptive AI could detect and respond to novel, real-time cyber threats. That approach matters more than ever in the era of AI.  Today, our customers depend on us to stay ahead.

At Darktrace, we are energized by that responsibility.  We work across teams and rally around a shared goal. We own outcomes end to end - step in, step up and see things through without waiting to be asked.   We make decisions with urgency, say the hard thing, and hold each other to high standards with care and directness. We move first and learn fast anticipating where our customers are going next, continuously challenging ourselves.  

We invest in the skills, learning and opportunities that help people deliver at the level their roles demand, and reward the aptitude and curiosity to grow beyond them. 

Our Values: Own It | Win as One | Raise Our Bar | Move First. Learn Fast 

Job Description:

As the VP of Software Engineering, you will lead the execution and delivery of software development initiatives across the engineering organisation. Working closely with senior leadership, you will be responsible for building high-performing teams, driving engineering excellence, and ensuring the successful delivery of products and services that create measurable customer and business value.

What will I be doing:

You will provide leadership across multiple engineering teams, translating company objectives into clear priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans. Partnering closely with Product, Design, Security, Customer Success, and other business functions, you will ensure teams remain aligned and focused on delivering high-quality outcomes.

Please note as a VP of Engineering you would be expected to be in office most of the time.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing multiple engineering teams, creating alignment around priorities, objectives, and delivery outcomes.
• Driving the successful execution of engineering initiatives, ensuring products and features are delivered with quality, predictability, and efficiency.
• Contributing to engineering strategy, organisational planning, and technology direction to support long-term business goals.
• Building and scaling high-performing teams through hiring, coaching, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Establishing operational excellence through effective processes, metrics, and delivery frameworks that improve efficiency and reliability.
• Fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

In addition to organisational leadership, you will play an important role in supporting architectural and technical decision-making, balancing innovation with scalability, maintainability, security, and commercial priorities. You will communicate engineering priorities, risks, progress, and outcomes across the organisation, while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs and ensuring teams deliver solutions that create lasting value.

What experience do I need:

We are seeking an experienced engineering leader with a proven track record of leading multiple engineering teams and delivering complex software products at scale. You will have successfully built and developed high-performing organisations, with experience leading engineering managers and growing future leaders.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• Significant experience leading large-scale software engineering organisations.
• A strong blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience driving organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Experience managing budgets, resource planning, and organisational growth.

You will also possess a deep understanding of software engineering principles and best practices, along with experience defining engineering metrics and using data to improve delivery performance. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to influence and drive alignment across both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

A customer-centric mindset, coupled with a passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing engineering talent, will be key to success in this role.

As a growing business strengthening its governance and controls, this role plays a part in supporting high standards of integrity and accountability. 

Darktrace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Darktrace is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact your Talent Partner.