Lead Principal Engineer (Head of Engineering)

Who Are We?

We are a VC-backed, fast-growing tech company that has developed a product used by over 1.8 million engineers worldwide. Our platform has historically been profitable due to strong customer traction, and we have recently raised a $2M+ funding round to integrate AI and scale globally.

What's in It for You?

• Competitive salary range of $180,000 - $230,000
• Leadership role reporting directly to the CEO with full ownership of engineering
• Hybrid work model (M/W/F in-office, relocation assistance available for top candidates)
• Work on a mission-driven product with high impact in the engineering community
• Opportunity to hire, grow, and shape the engineering team
• Exposure to AI, cloud infrastructure, and a high-performance startup environment

What Will You Do?

Technical Development

• Own all software development and architecture, serving as the primary technical leader
• Write code, troubleshoot, and lead architecture design across our stack (PostgreSQL, Python, Django, JavaScript, Vue/React, HTML, CSS)
• Solve scaling challenges, optimize APIs for speed and reliability, and manage cloud infrastructure (Heroku, Azure, AWS)
• Plan and execute sprints, write and review technical specifications, and track engineering performance metrics
• Implement best practices to maintain technical excellence and high development velocity

Management

• Recruit, onboard, and mentor a high-performing engineering team
• Drive a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Manage KPIs, OKRs, and sprint goals to measure and drive performance
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all engineering decisions

Long-Term Planning

• Define and own the technical roadmap for scalability, AI integration, and future infrastructure needs
• Proactively identify and mitigate software challenges to ensure reliability and long-term growth
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, operations, and leadership to align engineering initiatives with business goals

What Will You Need?

• 5+ years of software engineering experience with a track record of building scalable, high-performance applications
• 2+ years of leadership experience as the top engineering decision-maker in a seed-stage startup
• Expertise in Python, Django, REST APIs, microservices, and PostgreSQL
• Front-end development experience in Vue, Angular, or React
• Strong generalist who can work across FE, BE, Data, and DevOps, with the ability to balance speed and quality
• Experience managing remote and international engineering teams
• Ability to pass an IC coding interview (50% hands-on coding to start in this role)

Must-Have Criteria

Candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
Owned all engineering in a seed-stage startup within the last 5 years (not co-owned)
2+ years of leadership experience with full product ownership
Strong generalist with deep technical expertise across FE/BE/Data/DevOps
Experience in fast-moving environments, balancing speed and quality

Nice to Have

• Experience with desktop application development
• Familiarity with AI tech stacks and CAD software
• Background in electronic circuit design or electrical engineering
• Experience working on software products integrating other science and technology fields