Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead, Head of Real-Time Bidding (ML Ops)

As a Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead at Trellis, you'll be responsible for maximizing the return on investment for over $100 million in programmatic marketing spend. Your role involves overseeing the backend development of our insurance technology, ensuring high-quality, efficient real-time bidding processes. You'll lead a team of top engineers while adopting machine learning practices to improve our customer acquisition strategies.

To succeed as a Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead at Trellis, you should have extensive backend engineering experience with strong skills in Python and NodeJS. Familiarity with productionalizing machine learning and a solid understanding of data management are also essential. Additionally, a motivational attitude, organizational skills, and a brisk work pace will help you thrive in our fast-paced environment.

At Trellis, our work culture for the Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead is flat, collaborative, and transparent. We value open communication, and our team is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and development. As a fully remote company, we also prioritize flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere while contributing to impactful projects.

Trellis offers immense growth opportunities for Principal Software Engineers / Tech Leads. You will have the chance to lead strategic projects, collaborate closely with executive leadership, and hire and mentor new talent. We also encourage continuous learning and professional development, ensuring you are always advancing both personally and within the organization.

To maintain a high-quality engineering team, Trellis focuses on hiring and up-skilling exceptional talent. As the Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead, you will play a key role in this process by mentoring team members and fostering an environment where feedback is valued. We believe in collaboration and transparency, which allows us to continually refine our processes and work effectively.

As a Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead at Trellis, you can expect competitive compensation ranging from $300,000 to $600,000, depending on your seniority level. Our benefits package is highly attractive, offering unlimited vacation time, 100% employer-paid platinum-tier health insurance, a flexible spending account, a 401(k) plan, bonuses, equity opportunities, and a budget for home office equipment.

The project goals for the Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead at Trellis are centered around smarter customer acquisition through optimized bidding strategies, high-quality platform reliability, and building a top-notch engineering team. You will focus on implementing fast, data-driven solutions to enhance performance and ensure we respond swiftly to market trends.

When optimizing backend systems in a high-demand environment, I prioritize identifying bottlenecks through performance monitoring and analysis. I focus on scalable architecture while leveraging caching strategies and efficient database queries. Collaboration with cross-functional teams to gather insights is also key in ensuring optimal performance.

In my previous projects, I have implemented machine learning solutions that required proper data governance. I ensured data quality by establishing clear protocols for data collection and management while maintaining compliance with relevant regulations. I also focused on version control for ML models and developed strategies for split testing to assess performance.

When managing multiple projects, I employ a priority matrix to assess tasks based on urgency and impact. I regularly communicate with my team and stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities and deadlines. Agile methodologies help me remain flexible and adapt quickly to changing requirements while ensuring we maintain high-quality outcomes.

To ensure high availability and low latency in platform architecture, I implement load balancing, redundancy, and failover mechanisms. I focus on optimizing the backend code for speed and responsive architecture while regularly conducting performance tests. Monitoring uptime and response time with real-time alerts is crucial to identify potential issues before they affect users.

In a previous role, our team had to pivot to a new cloud-based infrastructure quickly due to scalability issues. I led the transition by conducting thorough research on best practices for cloud deployment and collaborated with our DevOps team to implement changes efficiently. Clear planning and communication during this transition were vital for minimizing disruption.

To ensure effective communication with non-technical stakeholders, I focus on using clear, jargon-free language while relating technical concepts to business goals. I also encourage questions and foster an open dialogue where stakeholders feel comfortable expressing their concerns. Regularly scheduled updates also help keep everyone aligned and informed.

I have extensive experience with API-based customer acquisition strategies, particularly in optimizing real-time bidding systems. By creating robust, scalable APIs that integrate with multiple marketing platforms, I effectively improved customer acquisition costs and conversion rates. Monitoring performance and continuously iterating based on analytics was key to success.

I use a combination of hands-on training, pair programming, and regular feedback sessions to mentor and develop junior engineers. I prioritize creating a safe environment for them to learn and grow while providing them with opportunities to work on meaningful projects. Encouraging participation in code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions is also effective.

Balancing speed with quality in software development requires a focus on automation, comprehensive testing, and iterative releases. I advocate for agile methodologies that allow rapid iterations while integrating CI/CD pipelines to facilitate faster deployment cycles without sacrificing quality. Regular retrospectives help fine-tune processes and find areas for improvement.

In a previous technical leadership role, I faced the challenge of integrating legacy systems with modern technology stacks. It required an extensive analysis of system dependencies, and I had to develop a phased migration plan to minimize disruption. This experience enhanced my problem-solving skills and emphasized the importance of stakeholder communication throughout complex transitions.