Sr Director, Engineering

The Sr Director of Engineering at Couchbase is responsible for overseeing the software development lifecycle, managing multiple engineering teams, and ensuring the operational readiness of the Capella platform. This includes guiding architectural decisions, translating product requirements into technical plans, prioritizing initiatives, managing technical risks, coordinating cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring engineering leaders to enhance execution and ownership across the organization.

Candidates for the Sr Director of Engineering position at Couchbase should have over 10 years of experience in delivering large-scale, distributed, cloud-native systems, along with at least 5 years of leadership experience across multiple engineering teams. A strong technical background in backend development, distributed systems, cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure, and proficiency in cloud-native technologies such as Golang, Docker, and Kubernetes are essential.

The Sr Director of Engineering plays a crucial role in enhancing customer satisfaction at Couchbase by ensuring that the Capella platform meets uptime goals and delivers reliable services. They oversee incident response for critical issues, guide teams to deliver high-quality software on time, and align technical efforts with product goals that directly impact customer experiences.

Couchbase offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation thrives. As the Sr Director of Engineering, you will work closely with various cross-functional teams, including Product, UX, and Support, fostering open communication and teamwork. The culture values mentorship and growth, with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being.

The anticipated base salary range for the Sr Director of Engineering at Couchbase is between $268,000 and $315,000 USD, depending on experience and qualifications. Additionally, Couchbase offers a comprehensive benefits package including bonus opportunities, equity options, generous time off, wellness programs, financial planning resources, and other perks designed to support employee health and career growth.

To manage and prioritize technical debt effectively, focus on regularly assessing the impact of debt on ongoing projects. Implement a framework for evaluating risks associated with technical debt and balance it against new feature development. Encourage transparent communication among teams about trade-offs and involve stakeholders in prioritization discussions to ensure alignment with business goals.

To ensure successful execution of the software development lifecycle, implement clear processes and robust metrics for each phase. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous feedback, allowing teams to adapt and improve. Promote collaboration between engineering and other departments, ensuring everyone is aligned on expectations and deliverables.

When faced with a significant technical challenge, I first assembled a cross-functional team to gather insights and perspectives. We prioritized a thorough analysis of the problem, developing a clear action plan that included stakeholder communication and risk management strategies. By fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to turn the challenge into an opportunity for improvement, resulting in enhanced platform stability.

I mentor engineering leaders by establishing clear objectives and providing regular feedback on their progress. I encourage them to take ownership of their projects, facilitate knowledge-sharing sessions, and collaborate on decision-making. Supporting their professional growth through training opportunities and coaching leads to increased confidence, independence, and better team performance.

Aligning technical architecture with product requirements involves close collaboration with product managers to understand the vision and priorities. I recommend creating a shared roadmap that highlights both technical specifications and product goals. Regularly reviewing architectural decisions through design sessions ensures that we remain agile and responsive to changing requirements while adhering to best practices.

To ensure high-quality code delivery, I implement a combination of code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration practices. Encouraging a culture of testing and quality assurance from the beginning of the development process helps teams identify and address issues early, which ultimately leads to more reliable software and seamless releases.

Cross-functional collaboration is vital to my engineering strategy. I believe that effective communication with product, UX, and operational teams leads to better alignment and impactful results. By fostering relationships and encouraging joint planning sessions, we can collectively address challenges, streamline workflows, and ensure that our engineering efforts support the overall company goals.

To promote innovation, I encourage teams to dedicate time for exploration and experimentation. This might include hackathons, innovation sprints, or regular brainstorming sessions where every idea is welcomed. I also underscore the importance of learning from failures, empowering teams to push boundaries while maintaining a focus on our objectives.

When conflicts arise within engineering teams, I prioritize open dialogue and constructive feedback. I facilitate discussions to understand different perspectives while guiding the conversation toward common goals. By creating a safe space for sharing concerns, we can resolve disagreements amicably, build stronger relationships, and focus on collaborative problem-solving.

Staying abreast of industry trends and technologies is crucial. I regularly engage in professional development through conferences, webinars, and online courses. Additionally, joining relevant technical communities and networking with peers helps me exchange valuable insights and best practices, which I can then share with my teams for continuous growth.