Vice President, Engineering

The Vice President of Engineering at Ladder is responsible for setting the technical vision and strategy that aligns with the company’s goals. This includes leading high-performing engineering teams, ensuring timely delivery of features, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to prioritize user needs and technical challenges. Additionally, the VP will mentor engineering talent, establish productivity goals, and participate in broader leadership discussions to align business objectives.

To apply for the Vice President of Engineering role at Ladder, candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, with a Master's preferred. Additionally, candidates should possess over 10 years of professional software development experience, with at least 5 years in leadership roles managing engineering teams. A strong technical background in full-stack development, cloud infrastructure, and modern software architecture is essential to guide the engineering efforts effectively.

Ladder fosters a culture of innovation by encouraging bottom-up leadership, where team members can contribute their ideas and insights, enhancing the product and business strategies. The company invests in tools that allow rapid iteration without compromising quality and promotes automation to streamline processes. Continuous learning from past projects is also emphasized through regular feedback sessions, all of which support the VP of Engineering in driving innovation.

As the Vice President of Engineering at Ladder, you'll work with a diverse technology stack. This includes frontend technologies like Clojurescript, Typescript, and React, backend technologies such as Clojure and Python, and infrastructure tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and AWS. While familiarity with these technologies is beneficial, the company values technical proficiency and the ability to learn new tools over specific technology knowledge.

Ladder offers a comprehensive benefits package for the Vice President of Engineering, including excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, flexible paid time off, stock options, and a 401k match program. Additional perks include commuter benefits, a supportive work-from-home environment, parental leave, and regular company-wide events that foster team camaraderie, whether working in the office or remotely.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples highlighting your leadership style, achievements, and the impact your leadership had on the team’s performance and morale. Discuss how you fostered collaboration and innovation while implementing strategies that align with company goals.

Outline your methodology for assessing business needs, market conditions, and technological advancements. Discuss how you collaborate with various stakeholders and iterate the strategy based on real-time feedback. Emphasize your ability to remain adaptable and results-driven.

Share your preferred methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, or Kanban, and discuss how you apply them in practice to optimize productivity and ensure timely delivery of projects. Mention specific tools you use for project tracking and team communication.

Explain your approach to maintaining high-quality standards, involving practices such as automated testing, code reviews, and user feedback loops. Emphasize how engaging users early can lead to better outcomes and ensure product-market fit.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your response. Detail the project's context, the obstacles faced, the specific actions you initiated to tackle the challenges, and the outcomes or lessons learned from the experience.

Discuss the practices you employ to encourage feedback, retrospectives, and a learning mindset. Elaborate on how you provide opportunities for professional development and create an environment where team members feel safe to share their ideas.

Highlight the significance of transparent and open communication in your leadership approach. Discuss how you ensure that all team members are kept in the loop and how you facilitate discussions among different departments to achieve common goals.

Share your insights and experiences working towards building diverse teams and explain why diversity is crucial for innovation and creativity. Discuss specific initiatives you've implemented or supported to promote inclusivity within engineering teams.

Describe your methods for keeping abreast of industry trends, such as attending conferences, following thought leaders, engaging in professional networks, or continuous learning through online courses. Express your commitment to bringing this knowledge to the team.

Discuss the strategies you employ for attracting talent, such as employer branding, showcasing company culture, and mentorship opportunities. Explain your approach to retention, including career development pathways, recognition programs, and fostering a healthy work-life balance.