Lead Principal Engineer

Overview

Hybrid

$180,000 - $230,000

Full Time

10% Travel

Skills

Python

Django

JavaScript

HTML

CSS

Cloud platforms like Heroku

Azure

AWS

must have seed-stage experience owning all engineering

deep technical expertise across FE/BE/Data/DevOps (50% coding)

REST

microservices

PostgreSQL

Job Details

Lead Software Engineer - Player-Coach Role
Need to come from a seed-start up environment. Need a STRONG START-UP LEADER
Needs hands on 50% coding, 50% Lead Engineer role.

Overview:

This role combines hands-on technical development with leadership responsibilities, making it ideal for a player-coach who wants to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities:

<>Technical Development:</>

Oversee all software development and maintenance efforts within the company.
Design, develop, and troubleshoot architecture across the full stack (PostgreSQL, Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and cloud platforms like Heroku, Azure, AWS).
Address infrastructure challenges, optimizing for speed, reliability, and scalability.
Collaborate on sprint planning and execution.
Mentor and manage developers, fostering professional growth.
Track and improve engineering performance metrics.
Write and review technical specifications as needed.

<>Management:</>

Recruit, onboard, and develop a high-performing engineering team.
Foster a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning.
Drive performance through KPIs, OKRs, and sprint planning.

<>Long-Term Planning:</>

Identify and mitigate potential software challenges to ensure system reliability and scalability.
Develop and execute a roadmap for future infrastructure and architecture needs.
Align engineering efforts with business objectives.

Candidate Requirements:

<>Must-Have:</>

Experience owning all engineering functions in a seed-stage company within the last five years.
2+ years of leadership experience with full product ownership.
Strong generalist with expertise in FE/BE/Data/DevOps (50% hands-on coding; must pass IC coding interview).
Backend: Proficiency in Python, Django, REST, microservices, PostgreSQL.
Frontend: Experience with Angular, Vue, or React.
Ability to manage a large codebase efficiently, with a bias for speed and action.

<>Must NOT Have:</>

3+ years at large, slow-moving companies.
Frequent job changes (more than two in one year over the past five years) or unexplained employment gaps.
Experience solely in non-VC-funded startups.

<>Strongly Preferred:</>

Experience with desktop application development.
Familiarity with AI tech stacks and computer-aided design software.
Background in electronic circuit design or electrical engineering.

Qualifications:

5+ years of software engineering experience with robust applications.
5+ years of management experience leading and scaling engineering teams.
Expertise in backend development (Python, Django, PostgreSQL).
Proficiency in frontend frameworks (Vue/React) and RESTful APIs.
Familiarity with cloud platforms (Heroku, Azure, AWS).
Experience designing scalable architectures and solving complex infrastructure challenges.

<>Nice to Haves:</>

Experience with desktop application development.
Familiarity with AI tech stacks and computer-aided design software.
Background in electronic circuit design or electrical engineering.

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