Director of Engineering

About This Role

We need a Director of Engineering to lead our technology organization and scale the platform that powers RareCustom's custom merchandise business. You'll set technical vision, build high-performing engineering teams, and ensure we deliver world-class products at startup speed.

What You'll Do

• Lead and grow the engineering organization from 8 to 20+ engineers across frontend, backend, and infrastructure
• Set technical vision and architecture strategy for the RareCustom platform
• Establish engineering culture, processes, and best practices for quality and velocity
• Own the engineering roadmap and collaborate with product leadership on prioritization
• Build and maintain relationships with technology partners and suppliers (API integrations)
• Ensure platform reliability, security, and scalability as traffic and order volume grow
• Manage engineering budget including infrastructure costs and tooling investments
• Recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent through mentorship and career growth

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of software engineering experience with 4+ years in engineering leadership
• Experience scaling engineering teams from startup to growth stage (10-30+ engineers)
• Strong technical background in full-stack web development (TypeScript/JavaScript, React, Node.js)
• Experience with PostgreSQL, cloud infrastructure, and API-first architectures
• Proven track record of delivering complex, customer-facing products on time
• Excellence in technical decision-making, trade-off analysis, and risk management
• Strong people management skills including hiring, coaching, and performance management
• Experience with Agile methodologies and engineering project management

Nice to Have

• Experience building e-commerce or marketplace platforms
• Background in print-on-demand, manufacturing, or supply chain technology
• Knowledge of real-time collaboration tools and canvas-based applications
• Experience with SOC 2 compliance or security certifications
• Published technical writing or conference speaking experience

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary with performance bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match up to 4%
• Unlimited PTO with minimum 15 days encouraged
• Professional development budget ($2,000/year)
• Employee merchandise discount (50% off all products)
• Home office stipend for remote roles ($1,500 one-time)
• Quarterly team retreats and company events
• Parental leave (12 weeks paid)
• Mental health and wellness programs
• Equity participation
• Executive coaching
• Conference and speaking budget