Lead Engineer

Overview

The Lead Engineer will work on billable client engagements as a leader of one or more teams, focusing on our LiminalArc engineering principles and practices. The candidate will be a thought leader in these practices and will advocate for them to Studios employees and clients. This role requires strong business acumen, the ability to craft value-focused solutions, and the capability to break down complex work into deliverable increments. Lead Engineers will also be deeply involved in all aspects of our business, including sales, marketing, talent, culture, and integration between groups.

Classification

This is a partially billable role (75% expected) with a direct reporting relationship to the Principal Engineer.

Candidate Characteristics

Candidates must have a strong background in Agile engineering and teamwork methodologies. They should be charismatic, highly motivated by end results, and have a high tolerance for ambiguity. They must also excel in both verbal and written communication, demonstrating the ability to convey ideas clearly across audiences. A focus on achieving success through people, stakeholder alignment, and constructive conflict resolution is essential. Lead Engineers will be excellent pair partners, providing coaching and motivation to junior engineers and other team members.

Desired Traits

• Ability to contribute as part of a high-performing team
• Ability to operate autonomously
• Strong leadership abilities
• Skilled at systems thinking and architectural design
• Strong focus on other people’s success
• High emotional intelligence
• High tolerance for ambiguity, unflappable
• High integrity
• Self-confidence
• Driven by continuous learning
• Technical ingenuity and experience
• Uses business value and outcomes to guide technical decisions
• Business development mindset and networking skills

Core Competencies

• Pragmatic polyglot programmer
• Committed clean coder
• Strong test-first/ test-driven approach
• Experience in eXtreme Programming and Domain-Driven Design
• Full-stack developer
• Legacy rescue expertise
• Continuous build/ Continuous integration/ Continuous delivery
• Agile testing and DevOps automation
• OOD and design patterns
• Software craftsperson with a wide range of techniques
• Knowledge of and experimentation with emerging programming paradigms
• High emphasis on continuous learning and coaching techniques; active in the IT community (user groups, conferences, speaking engagements, blogging)
• Capable interviewer and source of new candidates
• Ability to articulate where a team stands on its strategic roadmap
• Able to originate work through industry contacts and business development activities
• Ability to write clear, value-focused stories with acceptance criteria
• Skilled in value assessment and release planning based on business impact
• AWS Solutions Architect Professional certification a plus

Responsibilities

• Actively contribute to shaping the Studios culture and influencing studios principles and practices
• Participate in strategic integration discussions between Studios and the rest of LiminalArc
• Lead and support constructive conflict resolution among teams and stakeholders
• Participate in sales efforts for Studios, including writing proposals/SOWs, participating in sales calls, and engaging in business development beyond technical scope
• Regularly write blog posts, participate in podcasts, and speak at public events
• Serve as a Pod leader, mentor Studios team members, and advance mentorship practices
• Leads and mentors capabilities for studios team members such as story writing, value assessing, and release planning.
• Understand and contribute to the Studios and LiminalArc business model, including participation in financial dialogues
• Ensure effective stakeholder management and alignment across engagements
• Apply design, product management, and software engineering principles and mentor others formally and informally.
• Work arrangements may include both remote and on-site work, depending on client and team needs; travel to client sites or team meetings may be required.