Lead Principal Engineer

Job Description

Toast is recruiting on behalf of this company that is transforming how electrical engineers design cutting-edge products, from drones to satellites. Building on its success as the leading platform for electrical engineers, they are launching an AI-powered tool leveraging a proprietary dataset of over 10 million components. They are seeking a hands-on Lead Principal Engineer to spearhead their software engineering efforts.
 

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role will drive product velocity, customer satisfaction, and engineering excellence. This is a player-coach position, blending technical leadership with hands-on development. The right candidate will thrive on innovation, mentor a high-performing team, and contribute to an engineering culture of excellence.

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical Development

• Own all software engineering products across monoliths and microservices.

• Code, troubleshoot, and design architecture using PostgreSQL, Python, Django, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

• Optimize cloud-based infrastructure (Heroku, Azure, AWS) for scalability and reliability.

• Identify and address infrastructure challenges, including scaling, API optimization, and performance improvements.

• Plan and execute development sprints collaboratively.

• Write and review technical specifications as needed.

• Track, analyze, and improve engineering and performance metrics.

Management

• Recruit, onboard, and develop a high-performing engineering team.

• Mentor and advise developers on architecture and best practices.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and continuous improvement.

• Drive performance through KPIs, OKRs, and sprint planning.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all software engineering efforts.

Long-Term Planning

• Own the roadmap for infrastructure and architecture evolution.

• Proactively identify and mitigate software challenges.

• Align engineering initiatives with broader business objectives.

 

 

Requirements

Who You Are

• High Horsepower – Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments.

• Energetic & Team-Oriented – Brings enthusiasm and fosters collaboration.

• Clear Communicator – Direct, effective, and responsive.

• Humble – Prioritizes team success over personal ego.

• Proven Leader – Strong track record of technical and leadership achievements.

• Resourceful & Resilient – Thrives in ambiguity, finds creative solutions, and executes with determination.

• Product-Obsessed – Deeply empathetic toward users and passionate about delivering exceptional experiences.

• Results-Driven – Seeks continuous improvement and is open to feedback.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience, building and maintaining robust applications.

• 5+ years of experience leading and scaling engineering teams.

• Expertise in back-end development with Python, Django, and PostgreSQL.

• Proficiency in front-end frameworks like Vue or React.

• Experience with RESTful APIs, microservices, and cloud platforms (Heroku, Azure, AWS).

• Strong background in designing scalable architectures and optimizing infrastructure.

Nice to Haves

• Experience in desktop application development.

• Familiarity with AI technologies and computer-aided design (CAD) software.

• Background in electronic circuit design or electrical engineering.

 

Benefits

 

• Competitive compensation packages.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, including for dependents.

• 401(k) plan.

• Hybrid work environment (three days in-office per week).

• Catered lunches.

• Career growth opportunities and a chance to impact a groundbreaking product.

• A culture of innovation and creativity.