Director of Software Engineering
At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.
What We’re Looking For:
The role will be responsible for managing engineering teams responsible for building and maintaining a platform for reusable artificial intelligent processes. These processes will be embedded and deployed throughout the 2U ecosystem. You will be responsible for the generative and agentic AI experiences that impact our prospects, students and faculty. You will ensure the team is able to carry projects to the finish line while also challenging the status quo. You will work with Product stakeholders throughout the company to embed team services into their products and reduce redundancy where it makes sense. You will push the envelope to innovate and create more robust and automated solutions wherever possible. You should have knowledge of AI assisted code generation as well as ways to incorporate the use of AI in the SDLC.
About The Team:
The team creates and maintains AI services that can be used by other engineering or product teams. These services exist on over 200 domains and are used in every line of business. Our product stakeholders are eagerly innovating and creating a roadmap to rapidly expand the use of these services into every fiber of our learner, faculty and partner experience.
The services created by the team include: data pipelines, backend API services, and frontend UX options. Knowing when and where to employ a resource is critical.
Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- Management of the I.C. engineers and contractors
- Onboarding of contractors
- Accelerating development by resourcing work well
- Staying abreast of AI technologies and news
Things That Should Be In Your Background:
- 5+ years of experience in Agile development environment
- 2+ years of experience in artificial intelligence
- Understanding of LLMs, RAG, Generative AI, Agentic AI, tagging
- Understanding of vector vs RDS vs NoSQL
- Understanding of model types including: chat, reasoning, embedding
- Knowledge of cloud-based technologies like AWS
- People management skills
- Sound business acumen and ability to effectively deal with stakeholders in challenging situations
- Ability to navigate through complexity and ambiguity while balancing business needs and team sentiment
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 to three days a week.
Benefits & Culture
Our 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 over 40 million learners and counting with access to world-class online higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. #NoBackRow
We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S. benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match
- Free snacks and drinks in-office
- Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO
- Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break
The anticipated base salary range for this role is ($153,000 - $163,000), 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 Statement
At 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: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com.
About 2U LLC
For more than a decade, 2U has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.
About edX
edX is the education movement for restless learners and a leading global online learning platform from 2U, LLC. Together with the majority of the world’s top-ranked universities and industry-leading companies, we bring our community of over 45 million learners world-class education to support them at every stage of their lives and careers, from free courses to full degrees. And we're not stopping there — we're relentlessly pursuing our vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Learn more at edX.org.
Learn more at https://2u.com/careers/
#NoBackRow
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
2U is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 2U’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits and pay.
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