Lead Engineer (AI Forward Builder, Python, Django, TypeScript))

We’re looking for a hands-on Lead Engineer to help shape a modern, AI-augmented engineering organization built for speed, quality, and scale. This is an individual contributor role—not people management—ideal for a senior engineer ready to be the strongest technical voice in the room.
What You’ll Do
Lead architecture and technical direction across backend, frontend, databases, APIs, scalability, and performance.
Stay hands-on by solving complex engineering problems and shipping critical product features.
Drive technical roadmaps in partnership with Product and Design teams.
Define engineering best practices for AI-assisted development, testing, and code review.
Mentor and elevate senior engineers through architecture guidance and high-quality feedback.
Set the bar for code quality, testing philosophy, and production readiness.
What We Need (Non-Negotiables)
✅ AI-Forward Builder – Deep daily use of tools like Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, or similar to accelerate product delivery with quality. Experience creating AI workflows, agents, configs, or internal tooling is a plus.
✅ Product-Focused Engineer – Strong builder of end-user enterprise applications with emphasis on shipping features customers use—not purely infra or backend plumbing.
✅ Committed Professional – Proven tenure, ownership mindset, resilience, and ability to build meaningful products over time.
Required Tech Stack
Python
Django / DRF
React
TypeScript
PostgreSQL
Strong Plus Skills
Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Kafka, CI/CD, Jest, Pytest, Playwright, distributed systems.
Ideal Background
8+ years of full-stack engineering experience
Led architecture decisions and technical standards
Strong code review and engineering judgment
Comfortable operating in ambiguity and startup pace
Experience mentoring senior engineers
Startup/high-growth environment experience preferred
Compensation
$190K – $230K Base + Equity
Location
San Mateo, CA (Hybrid – 2 days onsite/week)
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