POSITION OVERVIEW:
The VP, Engineering leads experimental initiatives and proof-of-concept development that shape the future of the technology organization. This role focuses on proving new capabilities, building AI-augmented methodologies, and developing the playbooks that operational teams will adopt at scale. Unlike operational engineering leadership, this position prioritizes rapid iteration, high-ambiguity problem solving, and hands-on technical contribution alongside small, high-performing teams.
Position Duties and Responsibilities:
- Innovation & Experimentation
- Lead experimental initiatives from concept through proof-of-value, with clear success criteria and decision points
- Identify opportunities to apply emerging technologies to business problems
- Build rapid prototypes that validate or invalidate hypotheses quickly
- Maintain a portfolio of initiatives at various stages of maturity
- Methodology Development
- Design and refine AI-augmented development practices and workflows
- Document methodologies in the form that operational teams can adopt
- Evaluate and integrate new tools that improve engineering velocity and quality
- Establish patterns for AI-assisted development that balance speed with appropriate oversight
- Team Leadership
- Build and lead small teams capable of operating with high autonomy and ambiguity
- Maintain hands-on technical contribution alongside leadership responsibilities
- Develop engineers who can thrive in experimental environments
- Foster a culture of learning from both successes and failed experiments
- Collaboration & Handoff
- Partner with business stakeholders to identify high-value automation and innovation opportunities
- Work closely with operational engineering leadership to transition proven approaches
- Coordinate with Architecture to ensure experimental work aligns with enterprise direction
- Communicate initiative status, learnings, and recommendations to executive leadership
QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE: - 10+ years of software development experience, with 5+ years in technical leadership
- Demonstrated ability to take initiatives from concept to working implementation
- Strong hands-on technical skills with ability to contribute directly to complex projects
- Experience leading small teams through ambiguous, fast-moving projects
- Track record of evaluating emerging technologies and applying them to real problems
- Ability to communicate technical concepts and trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders
- 10+ years of software development experience, with 5+ years in technical leadership
- Demonstrated ability to take initiatives from concept to working implementation
- Strong hands-on technical skills with ability to contribute directly to complex projects
- Experience leading small teams through ambiguous, fast-moving projects
- Track record of evaluating emerging technologies and applying them to real problems
- Ability to communicate technical concepts and trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders
Supervisory Responsibilities:
PHYSICAL and ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Standard office environment, equipment, and tasks, including work at a computer terminal. This position requires partial sitting and walking throughout the day.
