Job Description

Please read the IMPORTANT section at the end of this posting. About Very Very is a fully distributed IoT technology firm led by expert problem-solvers to create efficient, scalable solutions that move commercial, industrial, and consumer IoT projects from pilot to production in record time. We’ve built a collaborative, tight-knit team that thrives, whether we’re hanging out in person at our annual retreat or coordinating work across time zones. The results show that we’re doing something right — as we’ve won numerous workplace awards over the years. Most recently in 2021 we were certified as a Great Place to Work, and in 2022 we were listed again in Parity.org’s list of Best Companies for Women to Advance. We believe that everything we build — and the people we build it with — has the potential to change the world. Our client list includes numerous well-known brands determined to leverage the power of IoT to drive material outcomes — such as Vizio, Peloton, Clear, iHeart Radio and Fellowes. Our goal, for each and every client we partner with, is to create high-value solutions through a collaborative and user-centered process. About This Role We are looking for a proven leader in the field of Software Engineering who can understand and enhance our current vision of Software Engineering excellence. The Director of Software Engineering will work with the leaders of our other practices (Product Design, Data Science, Hardware Engineering, and Program Management) to ensure that the software engineering practice is providing impactful contributions to Very’s delivery process. As the leader of this practice, you will have a solid understanding of what it takes to be a world-class software engineering practitioner with a passion for growing and sharing your skills while simultaneously developing them within your team. Very is a fully remote company, so you can work from anywhere in the continental United States or Canada. Your home, a co-working space, on the road, you name it. If you feel like moving, you don’t have to change jobs. What You’ll Be Working On As Very’s Director of Software Engineering, you will lead the software practice in ensuring our program teams can deliver with world-class speed and quality. You will take ultimate ownership and accountability for the software patterns and standards that Very delivers across projects. This will be accomplished by hands-on implementation, auditing and reviews, and partnering with the delivery team to help educate and provide guidance around our software standards. To ensure that you have the resources necessary to succeed in your role, you'll work closely with other directors and the executive leadership team through regular meetings and processes. Our typical contracts can range from full-service IoT builds that include hardware, software, data science, and design, to targeted engagements with a single practice at Very (e.g. software only). Within this context, our choices for tooling are as follows: Python/ Django/Flask and Elixir/Phoenix for web backends. Python for data science and serverless architectures React/React Native for UI clients AWS and Azure are managed through IAC, such as Terraform or the Serverless Framework. Other technologies we leverage throughout various projects (depending on client needs) include: Swift & Objective C Kotlin for both Android development and web backend development GCP managed through IAC such as Terraform or the Serverless Framework Heroku (when this is the best option for our clients) You don't need to be an expert in all of these tools, but you should have a deep understanding of at least one or two, as well as a deep understanding of how these tools relate to each other and the technology landscape as a whole. Responsibilities As the Director of Software Engineering, you will: Oversee the software engineering team, currently ~25 engineers. Directly manage a team of 3 Software Engineering Managers responsible for frontend, backend, and app development. Report directly to the Sr. Director of Engineering Own the overall software quality across all of Very’s clients. This will include leveraging current systems/policies and devising new strategies. Refine standards and processes as they pertain to software engineering. Work closely with the other technical Directors (Data Science, Hardware and Design) to define and implement our standards of Delivery. This will include things like technology choices, optimization of Very’s SDLC, and processes for enhancing visibility into engineering quality across many client engagements. - Work with Sales and Marketing to promote your team’s capabilities and help close contracts. Set the technical direction for how Very does - - Software Engineering. Serve as Chief Engineer on key client accounts. You will be ultimately responsible for the long-term success of these accounts. Make efficient use of standardized departmental meeting blocks for the development and management of your team. Attend and contribute to operational meetings for the larger company, as required for the Director level within Delivery. Bill your time to clients as necessary to support the desired outcomes for your role. Work collaboratively with the People Operations team to ensure the growth and quality of your team. Contribute to quarterly and annual planning for Delivery and owning these items for your department. Outcomes On-time delivery of high-quality software across Very’s clientele. Maintain a 75%+ utilization target for the software team (shared ownership with PMO) For 2024: Develop a standardized observability pattern and ensure it is fully adopted across all Very engagements. Required Qualifications Education and Experience 5+ years of experience in technical management 10+ years of professional experience as a Software Engineer Deep understanding of and interest in DevOps Demonstrated experience working with the predominant cloud technologies: AWS, GCP, or Azure B.S. in engineering or a technical field Skills In addition to experience, these are some of the critical skills we look for in our technical leaders, and how they should be demonstrated at the Director level. Communicates to inform, engage and inspire. Communicates to broad audiences and creates compelling narratives around their ideas and why they are important. - Drives culture and behavior across teams/clients. Shows presence and visibility among clients and the technology community. Reflects the values at Very in all interactions - internally and externally. Inspires internal and external stakeholders through thought-leadership. Enables others to produce ideas and presentations that are compelling to internal teams and the technology community. Takes calculated risks and shows a commitment to innovation that improves the business and tech community. Other: Primary residence in Canada (to facilitate overnight shipping to our clients and the majority of our software team). Please note that we are unable to hire in Quebec. **Unfortunately, applicants who do not meet these criteria will not be considered.** Additional Qualifications Experience working with embedded systems Experience working with hardware engineers Expert-level knowledge regarding IoT platforms and infrastructure. A preference for and history of working with open-source software, particularly Linux and related technologies. Experience hiring/recruiting, ie: knowing how to excite candidates and working within a very competitive market Compensation Base Compensation Between CAD $175,000 and $195,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Variable Compensation Up to 20% of your base salary in the first year. We also offer world-class perks: Extended Health Care Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision) Paid Parental Leave Life Insurance / AD+D - Registered Retirement Service Plan RRSP = 25% / Match- $1 CAD for every $4 CAD contributed. $225/mo towards cell phone/internet $600/yr towards home office buildout & upgrades $2,500/yr continuing education stipend, upon one year of employment PTO / Sick Time Loaned MacBook Pro In-person all-company retreat every 18 months Why Work for Very You are more than your job title. At Very, we prioritize talent development and professional growth with a human-first approach that caters to the unique goals each individual brings to the team. Our core value, Invest in Our People, looks like collaborating with a cohort of talented people on a mission to get better every single day. It feels like working for a company that invests in you. And it means finding alignment with your career goals to get you where you want to be. How do we bring our priorities to life? Of course we offer the typical world-class perks you would expect. Additionally, as a remote-first company (since 2011), we provide stipends for home office, telephone, and internet. Professional development funds and generous parental leave are also some of the benefits you can expect. But a healthy company culture isn't just about perks. It's about creating an environment where our employees can thrive. Our work is fueled by smart, creative people whose lives are enriched by our experiences together. We learn together, we grow together, and we play together. Despite working across more than half a dozen countries, our teams connect regularly for work and for fun - on Slack, Zoom, and during an annual retreat. We’ve been remote-first from the beginning, so we know well what it takes to maintain a strong culture. #LI-Remote IMPORTANT: 1. This job requires an advanced level of English. Please refrain from applying if this is not your case. 2. We currently don't offer work visa sponsorship. Do not apply if you require it to stay in Canada. 3. This job is remote but if you’re located in the province of Quebec, we cannot accept your application at this time. This is due to Quebec’s labor laws. 4. The region/country on the post's title is not related to the location of the clients we serve. It's a reference to the residence location of the applicant. All of Very's clients are North America-based. 5. Delivery team members may be required to travel up to 10% of the time. As a client services organization, this is expected. Interviewing for a new company is a serious time commitment for all parties involved. Please take the time to read this and thoughtfully consider if we would be a good fit for one another. No contractors or agencies. Seriously. #LI-Remote