Principal Engineer

Hybrid (Toronto)
January 31, 2025
I'm interested
Salary
$
160000
 - 
$
190000
Job Type
Full Time
Years of Experience
7
 - 
10
 years
Industry
Venture Capital and Private Equity

Job Description


Toast is recruiting on behalf of this company for a Principal Engineer to play a critical role in building and launching new ventures. This is an opportunity for a hands-on, entrepreneurial technologist who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex problems, and is eager to shape the technical foundation of disruptive businesses.

As a Principal Engineer, you will lead early-stage technical development, validate concepts through rapid prototyping, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to build scalable, impactful solutions. This role offers the unique opportunity to work across multiple industries while benefiting from the stability and backing of a leading investment firm.
 

Key Responsibilities

 
  • Technical Leadership & Execution: Take full ownership of building and delivering core features and functionality in the earliest stages of new ventures.
  • Prototyping & Validation: Lead the development of proofs-of-concept (POCs) to rapidly test and validate new ideas.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, design, business, and growth teams to develop solutions that address real customer pain points.
  • Architecting & Decision-making: Support technical due diligence, vendor selection, and build/buy/partner evaluations to align with business goals.
  • Agile & Iterative Development: Implement best practices for agile development, ensuring continuous learning and product evolution based on user feedback.


Requirements

 
  • 7+ years of experience in technology development across platforms such as web and mobile apps, SaaS, big data, and/or AI & ML-powered platforms.
  • Full-stack development expertise with the ability to independently build and deploy solutions.
  • Strong understanding of agile, lean, and continuous delivery methodologies.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, fostering an open and innovative team culture.
  • Ability to navigate uncertainty and drive validated learning through experimentation.
  • Passion for solving customer problems through elegant and effective software solutions.
  • Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience building new products from 0-1 and bringing them to market.
  • Background as a Founding Engineer or early technical hire in a startup environment.


Benefits & Compensation

 
  • Compensation: Competitive base salary, annual bonus, company-matched RRSP, and participation in the equity program.
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive group insurance, a flexible healthcare spending account, fitness benefits, and mindfulness support.
  • Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and parental leave top-up.
  • Additional Perks: Mobile phone reimbursement, education benefits, and professional development support.


Interview Process

 

  • Step 1: Functional 1 - Interview with the Hiring Lead (Virtual, 30-45 minutes)
  • Step 2: Functional 2 - Interview with a Team Member (Virtual, 30-45 minutes) 
  • Step 3: Practical Challenge 
    • Presentation prep on your own time
    • Presentation Delivery: 60 minutes total (Virtual or In-Person, 30 minutes presentation & 30 minutes Q&A).
    • Team Interview: 3:1 interview with panel participants (Virtual or In-Person, 45 minutes). 
  • Step 4: Candidate Debrief 
  • Step 5: 1:1 Partner Interview (Virtual or In-Person, 30 minutes)
  • Step 6: Offer

Toast's Process

1. Application Review

Submit your application, including your resume and cover letter, through our online portal. Our team will carefully review your qualifications and experiences. We take pride in responding promptly, so if your application aligns with our current opportunities, you’ll hear back from us with next steps. Your journey with Toast begins here, and we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!

2. Vetting Call

If your application is successful, we’ll schedule a vetting call with a member of the Toast team. This 30-45 minute informal conversation is designed for us to get to know you better and assess your skills. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, the challenges you’ve tackled, and the impact you’ve made. This is your chance to shine and show us why you’re a great fit for the roles we offer.

3. Profile Creation

Once you’ve impressed us in the vetting call, we’ll create an unbiased profile that highlights your experience while minimizing common biases. Instead, we focus on your skills, industry experience, and the impact you’ve made. This way, your profile reflects your true potential and accomplishments.

4. Client Submission

After crafting your unbiased profile, we submit it to our trusted clients. We work closely with these clients to ensure they understand the value you bring. Throughout their interview process, we remain by your side, providing support and guidance. Our goal is to help you navigate the hiring process smoothly and confidently, ensuring you have the best chance to secure a role that fits your skills and aspirations.