The VP of Engineering at KaiPod Learning will lead the technical vision and execution for our microschool management platform, Newton. This involves closely collaborating with the CEO and Product team, coding alongside engineers, and mentoring the team to foster high performance. This role is hands-on and strategic, requiring ownership of architecture, deployment, and the integration of AI technologies within our platform.

To qualify for the VP of Engineering role at KaiPod Learning, applicants should have over 5 years of experience in a senior technical leadership role, including titles like CTO or Founding Engineer in a startup environment. You’ll need a proven track record of success in developing web and mobile applications, as well as integrating AI technologies. A collaborative mindset and adaptability to fast-paced product development are essential.

KaiPod Learning utilizes a diverse technology stack for the VP of Engineering role, including Ruby on Rails and PostgreSQL for the backend, Ubuntu Linux on Heroku for infrastructure, and frontend technologies such as Hotwire Turbo & Stimulus along with Tailwind CSS. Familiarity with Swift and Kotlin for mobile app development will also be advantageous.

As the VP of Engineering at KaiPod Learning, you will play a crucial role in shaping the company culture by leading and mentoring a team of engineers. Your commitment to fostering a mission-driven environment, being a collaborative builder, and guiding the hiring process will significantly influence team growth and morale, making a meaningful impact on our collective vision and goals.

The VP of Engineering will have a substantial impact at KaiPod Learning by leading the development of Newton, our microschool management platform. This role influences the educational experience of many students and educators, as you will be at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies that facilitate personalized, flexible learning solutions. Your leadership will help shape the future of education for families across the country.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you've successfully led teams in developing web and mobile applications. Discuss the technologies used, your role in guiding development processes, and the impact your contributions had on the product and the organization. Emphasize how this experience prepares you for the challenges at KaiPod Learning.

In your response, outline your systematic approach to developing a technical vision, including understanding business objectives and user needs. Discuss how you would engage with stakeholders, analyze existing technologies, and incorporate innovative solutions such as AI, ensuring the vision aligns with the mission of transforming education at KaiPod Learning.

Describe your leadership style and the techniques you employ to mentor and inspire your team. Highlight examples of practices that foster collaboration, foster an inclusive culture, and encourage professional growth. Demonstrating your ability to build cohesive teams will resonate well for the VP role at KaiPod Learning.

Discuss best practices you implement for maintaining code quality, such as code reviews, automated testing, and performance monitoring. Explain how you prioritize user experience and scalability in development processes. Sharing specific methodologies, such as Agile or DevOps, can also strengthen your response.

When discussing a challenge, select a situation where you navigated through ambiguity or conflict effectively. Explain the challenge, the strategies you employed to overcome it, and the results achieved. This will showcase your problem-solving capabilities and resilience in high-pressure environments.

Articulate your understanding of AI’s impact on educational technology, emphasizing personalized learning experiences, improved engagement, and data-driven decision-making. Share insights on how you would integrate AI into the microschool management platform at KaiPod Learning, making the technology more adaptive to individual users.

Explain the methods you use to stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends, such as engaging with professional networks, attending conferences, enrolling in online courses, or participating in community discussions. Emphasizing a continual learning ethos aligns well with the innovative spirit at KaiPod Learning.

Describe your approach to prioritization in a fast-moving context, highlighting tools, methodologies, or frameworks you use (e.g., Agile, OKRs). Discuss how you balance short-term goals with long-term strategic objectives to ensure the team remains focused and productive.

Outline your experience in scaling teams effectively, discussing recruiting strategies, onboarding processes, and creating a culture conducive to growth. Highlight the importance of ensuring that the values and mission of KaiPod Learning are integrated into this growth.

Describe the initiatives you would implement to encourage innovative thinking within your team, such as setting up brainstorming sessions, creating open communication channels, and rewarding creative solutions. Emphasizing a supportive environment for experimentation will resonate with the mission of KaiPod Learning.