Head of Engineering

The Head of Engineering at Ansa is responsible for leading our engineering team, driving technical strategy, and fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration. This role involves shaping the product roadmap in close partnership with the CTO, as well as mentoring and recruiting top engineering talent to maintain high standards as we scale.

To be considered for the Head of Engineering role at Ansa, candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of software engineering experience, particularly in early/mid-stage startups, along with extensive experience leading teams. Strong knowledge of modern software development practices and payments technology is highly desirable.

Ansa is committed to fostering a supportive environment for our engineering team. As Head of Engineering, you will play a critical role in coaching and mentoring team members, promoting professional growth and helping everyone achieve their potential in their careers.

At Ansa, you can expect a vibrant company culture that promotes collaboration, action, and a bit of fun. We value teamwork and encourage our employees to build strong relationships, innovate together, and enjoy the journey while driving our mission forward.

As Head of Engineering at Ansa, you'll enjoy stellar health, dental, and vision insurance, unlimited PTO, commuter benefits, and new tech equipment, along with a supportive work environment that fosters both personal and professional well-being.

The Head of Engineering position at Ansa is primarily office-based in our San Francisco location, with a hybrid work option. We aim to work mostly in person to cultivate our team culture and camaraderie while also recognizing the importance of flexibility.

Ansa stays competitive in the fintech market by continuously innovating our payment solutions and building strategic partnerships. The Head of Engineering will lead efforts in shaping the technical direction and ensuring that we leverage the latest technologies to enhance our product offerings.

To lead a high-performing engineering team at Ansa, I would focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and open communication. I would implement regular check-ins and opportunities for team members to share feedback and learn from one another, encouraging cross-functional collaboration to ensure alignment with company goals.

I prioritize technical projects by aligning them with company objectives and customer needs. I believe in maintaining a balance between immediate technical requirements and long-term goals, using input from the engineering team and cross-functional stakeholders to make informed decisions.

I have extensive experience in recruiting engineering talent. My approach focuses on attracting diverse candidates and ensuring a rigorous yet fair hiring process that emphasizes both technical skills and cultural fit. I leverage various platforms and networks to connect with high-quality candidates, while also promoting our values and work culture.

I have significant experience managing high-availability systems and understand the importance of scalability and reliability. I emphasize the use of best practices in software architecture to ensure we build robust systems capable of handling increased loads while maintaining performance.

Dealing with underperformance requires a sensitive and understanding approach. I would engage the team member in a one-on-one conversation to identify challenges, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate on a development plan that sets clear expectations and supports their improvement.

To foster an inclusive team environment, I employ active listening and encourage diverse perspectives in decision-making. I advocate for employee resource groups, provide training on unconscious bias, and create a space where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute.

I align engineering priorities with business goals by maintaining close communication with leadership and stakeholders. By understanding the overarching company objectives, I can better prioritize engineering projects that deliver the most significant impact and ensure our efforts align with the strategic vision.

I have extensive experience implementing Agile methodologies, which I find essential for promoting adaptability and transparency within the engineering team. I have led Agile transformations, focused on iterative development, and effective collaboration across teams to enhance productivity and project success.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of my leadership style. I believe in nurturing talent by providing guidance, support, and learning opportunities. I regularly meet with team members to offer feedback and help them navigate their career paths, fostering both individual and team growth.

Handling change management in the engineering team requires clear communication and transparency. I would involve team members in the change process, clearly outlining the reasons behind changes, the benefits, and how it aligns with our mission. Providing support during transitions makes the process smoother.