Director of Engineering

Director of Engineering

About Us

UpTogether works to disrupt the status quo approach to ending poverty because it's not working. We recognize that poverty is created by systems, rooted in racism and perpetuated by false views of people considered "poor."

We seek to change systems and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build power, reinforce their autonomy, and drive their own economic and social mobility.

Our systems change strategy is two-pronged: We work with our members, partners, funders, governments, community organizations and other supporters to:

• Invest in families and individuals experiencing financial hardship by providing them with direct cash they can use however they choose, no strings attached.
• Amplify stories and data that tell their true lived experiences so that, together, we show the impact of investing in people, provide evidence that it works, and influence state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate social and economic mobility.

The strategy is grounded in our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice, which honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.

At UpTogether, we work towards these values:

• Community: We’re better together than we are alone, and we know that with the support of our neighbors, family and friends, all of us will have a better shot at achieving our goals and dreams. 
• Impact: We focus our time and energy on collective work that will have the largest impact for people experiencing financial hardship. 
• Collaboration: We center the lived experiences of our members, partner with them to change systems and work with them to co-create opportunities for people to reach their financial goals.
• Racial Equity: We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, and we promote anti-racist policies that eliminate the racial wealth divide. 
• Leadership: We intentionally create space for everyone to lead, regardless of their title. 
• Choice: We respect everyone’s autonomy and know each person is capable of  making their own decisions. 

The Position

We are seeking a Director of Engineering to lead UpTogether’s engineering team of 3 full-time staff, and to be the primary owner and manager of engineering infrastructure, DevOps, application development and integrations. This role will report to the Senior Director of Technology and Product and will be a part of the Membership & Impact Team.   

This role will drive UpTogether’s technology strategy and the management of UpTogether’s technology stack inclusive of all front-end and back-end technologies, its data architecture, as well as business application integrations. The ideal candidate is energized by the challenge of working within defined constraints to create solutions across teams, and adjust in real time.  The Director should be able to quickly assess what is essential vs what can be scrapped (or simplified) and can proactively identify solutions tailored to available resources.  As Director, you will be responsible for mentoring a staff of engineers through ambiguity, coordinating with third party consultants,and contributing technical insight to cross-functional projects. You will model best practices for information security and how to maintain a sustainable technology architecture.

This is a 100% remote position (must be based in the United States).  A reliable internet connection and functional work environment, including a fully operational computer (laptop or desktop) with video conferencing capabilities, are required. UpTogether offers reimbursements and stipends for work-related equipment for full-time staff.

Responsibilities

Ownership of UpTogether’s Engineering infrastructure and services

• Actively participate in strategic, tactical, and operational planning and road-mapping of engineering and security solutions that support UpTogether’s platform and mission. Be excited about innovating paths forward and identifying solutions that don’t currently exist.
• Lead engineering projects from conception to closeout:  map out deliverables and timelines, determine scopes of work and delegate tasks to the team, troubleshoot and adjust project scope and milestones, and communicate clearly with multiple stakeholders.
• Oversee a team responsible for managing AWS cloud services infrastructure, software development and integration, and a data architecture that supports the organization’s needs. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of the codebase, guiding technical design of improvements and new features. This includes identifying the best technology solution to a specific business problem, whether build or buy.
• Evaluate ongoing cybersecurity and information security risks, proactively implementing effective protocols, tools, policies, procedures, and user awareness measures. Lead or coordinate with relevant staff to ensure our product and stack are  stable, secure, and reflect current standards.
• In partnership with Senior Leadership, ensure technology costs are reviewed and managed effectively to deliver value and optimize efficiency.

Cultivating a healthy and high-performing team of technology professionals and engineers at UpTogether

• Ensure direct reports have what they need to be successful by conducting regular 1:1’s, providing ongoing coaching and/or pair coding, team retrospectives, and periodic performance evaluation. Provide clear and growth-oriented feedback to the team.
• Ensure the team is focused on the highest priority work and that projects are scoped, tasked, and estimated effectively.
• Set standards, practices, and take ultimate responsibility for ensuring the team is delivering high quality software that delivers values to our end users.
• Manage third-party consultations or augmented workforce engagements as needed.

Collaborate effectively across UpTogether Departments

• Partner closely with internal stakeholders to ensure we are buying, designing, building, and integrating  the right technology to further UpTogether’s mission.
• Communicate roadmaps and timelines to stakeholders to effectively coordinate rollout of new features or tools across the organization.
• Provide technical perspective and insight on new initiatives.
• Lead or direct requirement definitions when needed. 
• Undertake additional responsibilities as needed in support of the Membership & Impact teams and organizational cross-collaboration.

Qualifications, Attributes & Skills Requirements

• Demonstrated technical vision and leadership drawn from experience architecting & implementing at least one large-scale production application.
• Ability to lead engineering in lean environments, and to model a solutions-oriented approach that meets ambiguity with clear, simple, and effective paths forward.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicting priorities, understand end user needs, and translate technical requirements and concepts for collaborating partners.
• Experience with DevOps management on AWS or related modern cloud infrastructure platforms. 
• Knowledge of business ecosystems, SaaS, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), service-oriented architecture (SOA), APIs, microservices and monolithic patterns.
• Vendor- and technology-neutral — more interested in achieving targeted business outcomes than in personal preferences.
• At least 10-15 years experience as a software or data engineer, software engineering manager, or equivalent
• 5+ years experience leading, developing & mentoring engineers
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent work experience

Ideal Candidate 

• Relevant certifications such as AWS or Salesforce are a plus.
• Experience architecting and implementing cloud-based fintech applications with CRM integrations
• Experience managing consultants across time zones
• Ability and willingness to learn and teach new technologies as needed
• Comfortable balancing long-term architectural thinking with short-term adaptability needed to move critical work forward

• Proven ability to thrive in a remote work environment: Consistently self-directed, proactively reaches out and is responsive. Comfortable in a virtual setting
• Ability to thrive in a fast-changing environment, flexible in the pursuit of goals
• Demonstrated commitment to, or passion for, our mission; deep belief and trust in the innate capabilities of low-income families and communities; willingness to engage in conversations aimed at addressing erroneous stereotypes about low-income people and people of color
• A deep belief in and operates according to UpTogether’s Core Values 

Compensation

This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and vacation.  Salary range is commensurate with experience, between $127,633 - $141,815.

Inclusion Statement
We strive to create a community that embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we support the efforts of others to build such communities. We encourage all qualified and interested persons to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
 

Sponsorship

Please be aware that UpTogether is unable to offer employment to candidates that are not already legally authorized to work in the US at this time. Applicants that require sponsorship will unfortunately not be considered for employment with UpTogether. 

To Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a resume and cover letter. We ask that you do not include a photo or image of yourself on your resume or cover letter. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.