Director, Software Engineering

Dropbox is a Virtual First company. For this role, we are hiring in Zones 2 and 3. Please refer to our Compensation section below to see what neighborhoods fall under each Zone.

Role Description

As a Director of Engineering for the Core Business at Dropbox, you will lead critical engineering teams responsible for building and evolving some of our most foundational products. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering for Core, you will play a key role in driving the technical execution and delivery of core services and components. You will partner closely with product, design, and growth teams to shape and deliver features that enhance our File Sync and Share (FSS) capabilities and support integrations with experiences like Dropbox Dash. You will lead a talented, full-stack engineering organization focused on delivering high-quality, scalable solutions that serve millions of users.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing, global engineering organization that builds core Dropbox experiences with a strong emphasis on full-stack capabilities.
• Drive engineering excellence by establishing repeatable processes that balance rapid delivery with quality, reliability, and scalability.
• Oversee teams responsible for complex system-level components such as file sync, OS integration, and distributed storage, as well as AI-powered integrations that enhance user productivity.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product, Design, Growth, ITS, GTM, and Support to ensure alignment and successful delivery of product initiatives.
• Cultivate a culture centered around customer obsession, continuous learning, strong technical ownership, and innovation.
• Make strategic architectural and technical decisions that shape the future of Dropbox Core's software infrastructure and end-user experience.
• Actively participate in talent development, including hiring, mentoring, and growing the next generation of engineering leaders.

Requirements

• 12+ years of software engineering experience with at least 4+ years managing engineering teams, including engineering managers.
• Proven experience leading an engineering organization of ~80 people, with responsibility for multiple engineering functions and sub-teams.
• Track record of delivering customer-centric, high-impact full-stack software solutions.
• Strong technical expertise across systems engineering, distributed storage, web technologies, and OS-level integrations.
• Experience balancing business goals with engineering excellence in fast-paced, collaborative environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational transformation and drive adoption of modern engineering practices.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational influence skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading distributed or remote-first engineering teams.
• Strong familiarity with AI/ML technologies and their application in product experiences.
• Experience in B2C SaaS and product-led growth environments.
• Background in driving modernization or transformation of legacy systems and infrastructure.
• Passion for mentoring and developing engineering talent at all levels.

Compensation

US Zone 1

This role is not available in Zone 1

US Zone 2

$248,600-$336,400 USD

US Zone 3

$221,000-$299,000 USD

The range(s) listed above is the expected annual salary/OTE (On-Target Earnings) for this role, subject to change.

Please note, OTE are for sales roles only.

Salary/OTE is just one component of Dropbox's total rewards package. All regular employees are also eligible for the corporate bonus program or a sales incentive (target included in OTE) as well as stock in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

Dropbox takes a number of factors into account when determining individual starting pay, including job and level they are hired into, location/metropolitan area, skillset, and peer compensation. We target most new hire offers between the minimum up to the middle of the range.

Dropbox uses the zip code of an employee's remote work location to determine which metropolitan pay range we use. Current US Zone locations are as follows:

US Zone 1: San Francisco metro, New York City metro, or Seattle metro
US Zone 2: Austin (TX) metro, Chicago metro, California (outside SF metro), Colorado, Connecticut (outside NYC metro), Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York (outside NYC metro), Oregon, Pennsylvania (outside NYC or DC metro), Washington DC metro, and West Virginia (DC metro)
US Zone 3: All other US locations

Company Description

Dropbox isn't just a workplace-it's a living lab for more enlightened ways of working. We're a global community of bold visionaries and resourceful doers who are shaping the future of Dropbox-and with it the future of work. Our Virtual First model combines the autonomy of a distributed workplace with the power of human connection, making space for both meaningful work and meaningful relationships. With our start-up mindset and enterprise-level opportunities, you can be who you are and grow into who you're meant to be. Here, you can own your impact to make work more intuitive, joyful, and human-for you as a Dropboxer and for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. If you're ready to push boundaries-and yourself- Dropbox is ready for you.

Team Description

The Dropbox Engineering Team builds the technology that creates more enlightened ways of working for hundreds of millions of people. Every day, our platforms-including Dropbox Dash, Dropbox Sign, and our core sync engine-handle over a billion files for users worldwide, creating engineering challenges as great as the opportunity for impact. Our software engineering team uses a range of technologies to solve interesting problems, including Python, React, Node.js, JavaScript, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and Android development. We think like a startup but build for an enterprise, exploring new possibilities that transform how people work. If you're excited about turning complex technical challenges into intuitive solutions at scale, join our Engineering team. Areas of work include Machine Learning Engineers, Infrastructure Engineer, Product SWE Frontend and Backend, Mobile Software Engineers (iOS and Android), Engineering Manager, Data Engineer, Software Development Engineer in Test, Security Engineering, Site Reliability Engineer, Technical Program Managers, Network Engineer, Datacenter Engineer, Technical Supply Chain Manager and more.

Benefits

Dropbox is committed to investing in the holistic health and wellbeing of all Dropboxers and their families. Our benefits and perks programs include, but are not limited to:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match and immediate vesting
• Flexible PTO/Paid Time Off, paid holidays, Volunteer Time Off, and more, allowing you time to unplug, unwind, and refresh
• Income Protection Plans: Life and disability insurance
• Business Travel Protection: Travel medical and accident insurance
• Perks Allowance to be used on what matters most to you, whether that's wellness, learning and development, food and groceries, and much more
• Parental benefits including: Parental Leave, Child and Adult Care, Day Care FSA, Fertility Benefits, Adoption and Surrogacy Support, and Lactation Support
• Access to over 10,000 global co-working spaces through Gable.to , making it easy to book flexible workspaces for collaboration or individual work
• Quarterly Cell phone and internet allowance
• Mental health and wellness benefits
• Disability and neurodivergence support benefits

Additional benefit details are available upon request.

Dropbox is an equal opportunity employer. We are a welcoming place for everyone, and we do our best to make sure all people feel supported and connected at work. A big part of that effort is our support for members and allies of internal groups like Asians at Dropbox, BlackDropboxers, enABLE, TODOS (Latinx), Pridebox (LGBTQ), Vets at Dropbox, and Women at Dropbox.