Director/VP engineering leadership focused on delivery infrastructure and operations. I build systems that transform chaotic delivery into predictability - CI/CD, release management, sprint optimization. Best at mission-driven companies needing 0→1 infrastructure building.
KPLooking for a job
Kayla Pallace
@kaylapallace
Engineering executive who builds predictable delivery, scales teams, and delivers multi‑million dollar programs.
United StatesWhat I'm looking for
I am an engineering executive with formal training in organizational psychology who builds predictable delivery and high-performing teams across startups and Fortune 500 defense contractors.
I transform chaotic delivery into 85–90% sprint completion within months by creating project management infrastructure, clear intake and acceptance criteria, and engineering operations metrics.
I have scaled engineering organizations (267% growth) with 100% voluntary retention through multiple restructures, led multi‑million dollar proposals and contracts, and operated effectively in classified and unclassified environments.
I prioritize whole‑person mentorship, DEIB initiatives, and practical processes that reduce rework, shorten time‑to‑implementation, and enable on‑time, on‑budget delivery.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
GC
Current
Senior Engineering Manager
Geospan Corporation
Dec 2024 - Present (11 months)
Transformed engineering delivery from 0% to 85–90% sprint completion within 2 months by building project management infrastructure and cross-team workflows that reduced blockers ~25% and rework ~30%.
RD
Senior Software Engineering Manager
Rebellion Defense
Oct 2022 - Jun 2024 (1 year 8 months)
Led teams of up to 10 on data modeling, visualization, and cybersecurity for $2M client contracts, delivering projects on-time and on-budget and cutting implementation time by 25% through upfront design reviews.
NSManaged multi-million dollar cost accounts and created a $5M Data Management contract and five-year roadmap, driving proposal delivery and subcontractor integration under tight timelines.
NSSoftware Engineering Manager
Jun 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 year 4 months)
Scaled engineering org from 15 to 55 engineers by hiring 40+ staff, led cross-coast data storage system design and an AngularJS-to-Angular migration while establishing engineering standards and mentorship programs.
NSDefined a program release train and implemented Agile processes across the organization, leading API development, data visualization, and integrations for classified defense programs.
AI
Cloud Coder
Amplified IT
Jan 2016 - Sep 2016 (8 months)
Built custom Google Chrome apps and automation scripts to support K-12 and higher education technology rollouts, improving deployment automation and client tooling.
NAProgram Participant
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Aug 2015 - Dec 2015 (4 months)
Designed and implemented climate prediction models using historical and live NASA Earth satellite data to support environmental analysis and research objectives.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
ULUniversity of Liverpool
Master of Science, Business and Organizational Psychology
2020 - 2020
Completed an MSc in Business and Organizational Psychology with research on the impact of selecting culturally fit leaders on employee retention.
CUChristopher Newport University
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
2011 - 2015
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Honors Program) and completed research on AI decision making applied to leadership studies.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Looking for a job
Location
United StatesAuthorized to work in
Salary expectations
190k-300k USD
Social media
Job categories
Director of EngineeringSenior Engineering ManagerDirector of EngineeringProgram ManagerProduct ManagerOperations LeadTechnical Program ManagerSoftware Engineering ManagerEngineering ManagementSr. Engineering ManagerPrincipal Engineering ManagerEngineering DirectorDevOps Engineering ManagerGlobal Engineering Manager
Skills
Engineering ManagementOrganizational PsychologyDelivery PredictabilityProject ManagementAgileRoadmappingSuccession PlanningIncident ResponseData ModelingData VisualizationDevOpsTechnical Intake And Acceptance CriteriaRisk AnalysisVendor ManagementAPI DevelopmentAngularAngularJSCloud AutomationProposal DevelopmentCoderGmailGoogle ChromeJira
Interested in hiring Kayla?
You can contact Kayla and 90k+ other talented remote workers on Himalayas.
Message KaylaFind your dream job
Sign up now and join over 100,000 remote workers who receive personalized job alerts, curated job matches, and more for free!
