Technology Director / Principal Engineer

Company: ROAD iD
Location: Covington
Posted on: July 25, 2022

Job Description:

Job DescriptionMISSION FOR THE POSITIONROAD iD is a company that embraces our "Why" - to save lives, provide peace of mind, and fuel adventure. This is a unique opportunity to lead technology efforts for a fun, fast-growing company that thrives on making a positive impact in the world. We are on our way to impacting over 9 million lives in the next few years. The mission for the Technology Director is two-fold: 1) Set the strategy and vision for all technology solutions 2) Build an engineering team and define processes that enable the technology team to consistently say yes to worthy projects. To achieve this, you will need to find the best mix of talent (internal, freelancers, agencies, interns) and effectively manage/mentor them to satisfy the companys software/applications needs in a timely manner. The desired outcome is to provide the technical backbone that empowers ROAD iD to positively impact lives. AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY The Technology Director will own our technology vision, architecture, and implementation strategy. You will be responsible for operational performance, reliability, security, and availability of our software applications and systems. WHAT YOULL BE DOINGYoull set ROAD iDs Technology Strategy. To this end, you will work with your team to:

• Identify and hire the best mix of talent (internal, freelancers, agencies, interns) and effectively manage/coach/mentor them to satisfy the companys technology needs in a timely and remark-able manner. (NOTE: were a First Who, Then What organization.).
• Identify and select appropriate technology solutions and partners.
• Make build vs buy decisions so that we have an effective combination of custom software development and "off the shelf" solutions.
• Establish the appropriate programming languages, architecture, and standards for each project and product.
• Define and implement the appropriate project management process - holding yourself (and others) accountable to it.
• Determine how to meet the technology needs of the company so we can consistently say yes to worthy technical projects.
• Control technology investments and expenditures so as to enhance ROAD iD's financial health.
• A natural with system administration and hardware, youll guide our approach to solving our limited hardware and systems administration needs. You will be a player-coach that delivers high-quality, cost-effective solutions that support ROAD iD's strategic, tactical, and operational goals. There will be times when you direct, times when you coach/mentor, times when you help remove roadblocks/stucks, times when you problem solve, and times when you get your hands on a keyboard to implement solutions.Youll leverage your experience as a leader of people, to effectively manage, mentor, coach, and inspire your team. Youll also be slightly obsessive about your internal teams career goals and development. Currently, our team consists of three in-house engineers:
  • One that specializes in eComm/Shopify dev while concurrently filling our sysadmin needs.
  • One that specializes in back-end/operational applications in an effort to make disparate systems work in harmony,
  • One that specializes in mobile application development. While there are specialties, our culture is very collaborative and supportive of each other. We also work with various partners to round out our technology needs.
    
    Youll maintain a deep understanding of our Software Partners and Custom Applications. Our current/heritage stack is outlined below. This said, you will be empowered to help define the optimal stack of the future.
    • Current Partner Applications
      • eCommerce Platform: Shopify Plus
      • eCommerce Connected Apps: Our Shopify store is integrated with numerous connected apps (Gorgias, Klaviyo, Stamped.io, etc.)
      • ERP: Fulfil.io
      • Analytics/Reporting: Google Analytics, Redshift, Metabase
      • Current Custom Applications
        • ROAD iD Mobile App (aka eCrumbs): custom iPhone/Android application developed in Flutter
        • MyROADiD.com: Custom ASP.net, SQL server application that manages and stores Emergency Response Data (This application is currently slated for a re-write in 2022).
        • Kitchen Sink: Custom ETL/Bridge application built with Python on Heroku
        • Interchange: Custom ETL/Bridge application built with Ruby on Rails on Heroku
        • Scan and Pack: Custom Pick, Pack and Ship Application built with AngularJS (This application is slated to be replaced by another tool in 2022).
        • A growing set of middleware components built on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
        • Various custom widgets, plugins, apps, and tools that support our eCommerce initiatives. Youll work hard to satisfy the needs of your Internal Customers that most frequently include the Head of eCommerce, Head of Operations, and Product Owner for the ROAD iD App. Youll regularly interface with the CEO and other members of the leadership team. THE MEASUREMENTS THAT MATTER
          • System availability, performance, and security
          • Technology costs and ROI
          • Stakeholder satisfactionRequirementsWHO YOU ARE (the ideal candidate)Others will describe you as capable - a real go-getter (yes, that sounds corny). You are someone that knows how to grab the ball and run with it. You have passion for getting things done and a bias towards action. Youre a strong communicator that takes extra care to make sure that you understand and are understood. People describe you as a problem solver, creative, analytical, a good listener, and fun to work with. You are proactive and build excitement within teams. You can take minimal direction and set a course of action.You are probably a really good software engineeror a former software engineer. You probably arent a circus clown, professional bowler, or a phlebotomist. You do, however, know the thrill of learning a new development language and enjoy the fail, fail, fail, OMG is this ever going to workwaitholy cowit worked process of building applications. You probably thrust your arms in the air after solving a complex or frustrating problem. You love sharing what youve learned with othersand get pumped when someone on your team teaches you something you didnt know. People describe you as fun. We should probably grab a beer. You love coaching, leveling up, and you arent afraid to get your hands dirty when needed. If this is you...and you can provide verifiable examples in your career where youve done this...then we need you...and we think you need us.You have (and will be able to demonstrate) the following:
            • 5+ years of software development experience.
            • 2+ years of technology leadership experience.
            • Demonstrated ability to pick up on new technologies quickly.
            • Demonstrated experience across a wide berth of technologies including:
              • Microsoft platform - c#, .net, sql server, Azure
              • eCommerce platform/apps/app development - Shopify
              • Cloud development - Heroku, Redshift, Ruby on Rails, Python
              • A passion for personal growth and development. More specifically, you want to be a thought leader - one of the best in your field. Youll be able to demonstrate that you have an obsession for learning from other practitioners. Never Stop Learning is a phrase that describes you.
              • Youre naturally inquisitive and unafraid to admit that you dont know something. When you need to learn, youll dive in and level up so that you can better understand or ask tough questions. You rarely take something at face value and like to make sure you fully understand an issue or opportunity.
              • A love for leveraging technology to solve problems.
              • A scrappy, entrepreneurial spirit with an ability to be responsive to changing priorities and emerging business needs.
              • A passion for winning.
              • An eye for the small stuff. Its the details that make a good company great.
              • Strong collaboration skills, a desire to be remarkable, and a fun personality.
              • Not required, eCommerce/Shopify experience, strong Project Management Chops (perhaps you were a Scrum Master), and experience managing freelancers and/or agency partners will make you stand out in a good way. Benefits
                • Be a part of a unique opportunity to make a real difference. At ROAD iD, we dont make and sell widgets. Instead, we take pride in providing a product that literally saves lives.
                • Competitive Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision), with immediate eligibility
                • Competitive Retirement Plan with immediate participation and vesting (401k/ IRA)
                • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
                • 9 Paid Holidays per year & Competitive PTO
                • Short Term & Long Term Disability
                • Training & Development - eligible to unlock $2,500 budget to attend a conference or other relevant training upon completion of 3 certifications within digital marketing training database
                • Wellness & Fitness reimbursement up to $400 each calendar year for full time employees
                • Annual employee purchase allowanceWHO WE AREWe exist to Save Lives, Provide Peace of Mind, and Fuel Adventure. We do this by improving the outcome of accidents and emergencies. Our products include elegantly simple, Wearable ID & Technology that connects you to friends and family when it matters most.
                  
                  WHAT WE BELIEVE
                  
                  
                  • We dont make widgets. We make a difference. We receive genuine testimonials nearly every day from our customers that keep us motivated towards our Dream: To see the day when wearing ID is as common as strapping on a seatbelt.
                  • We are a great company - made this way by great people.
                  • We are a great company because we try hard to be a great company
                  • Its important to provide a fun, casual, team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
                  • Every member of the team is provided the opportunity to make real and significant contributions. In fact, you might say that we expect it.
                  • Word of mouth has always been, and will always be, the most important marketing lever. To that end, it is imperative that we deliver a Product, Service, and Journey so blindingly awesome that our customers cant help but share it.
                  • Customers dont want to do business with businesses. Rather, they want to do business with people. So, at every touchpoint, we try to talk and behave like real people.
                  • In keeping things elegantly simple.
                  • In moving fast and embracing mistakes.
                  • In giving a percentage of EVERY order to charity. Our current charity partner is 4 Paws for Humanity - a very cool non-profit that provides service dogs to children and veterans in need.
                  • In providing competitive compensation and benefits: Matching IRA, strong PTO policy, Health/Dental/Vision package, $25K life and AD&D insurance, Free long-term disability insurance, 9 paid holidays and an awesome employee discount program.AT OUR COREBe Remark-ableWhen you interact with us, youre going to want to tell people about it. Thats because we work really hard to deliver a product, service, and journey so blindingly awesome that you cant help but share it. When you talk about us, youll use adjectives like fun, honest, dependable, super fun, personal, passionate, enthusiastic, funny, tenacious, and really exceptionally fun. Its the core value that all the others ladder up to.Fanatically Personal - Our Special SauceWe believe that people dont want to do business with businesses. Instead, they prefer to do business with people. Real people. At ROAD iD, youre going to interact with people that have personality, heart, and soul. Youre not just a number, and were not just another faceless company. To that end, were gonna treat YOU the way WE want to be treated. It's just that simple. Be warned - youre gonna want to strap your socks on tight because this fanatical dedication to keeping it real has a tendency to to blow socks clean off.Care DeeplyWe care deeply. Like Grand Canyon deep. We stand behind everything we do and every product we sell. No shortcuts. No excuses. Were going to work really hard to do things right the first time. When we make a mistake, were gonna own it, and make it right. Weve got your back.Ear to the Ground, Eye to the SkyLike Vanilla Ice said, if there was a problem, yo Ill solve it. (we know you still have the cassette tape in a box somewhere). Were never completely satisfied and realize theres always room for improvement. We listen more than we talk because we know most great ideas come from those closest to the issue. To this end, our ears perk up when someone has a problem or experiences friction, as this usually indicates room for improvement. See something that needs fixin? Let us know.Whoop it UpYeah, ROAD iD is a serious product, and we have some very serious goals. That doesnt mean were going to be boring or stuffy. Were going to have fun, use too many puns, be a little weird, and laugh as much as possible. We realize that if we take ourselves too seriously, nobody else will.Purpose over ProfitIts not about the money. Yes, we have to care about the lines (specifically the bottom one) mostly because our staff likes to get paid...and rent is due on the 1st. But, at ROAD iD, we put our purpose first. More specifically, were laser focused on Saving Lives, Providing Peace of Mind, and Fueling Adventure. Our philosophy is this: If we fervently and ethically pursue our purpose, put our customers first, and put forth our best effort, then the bottom line will take care of itself. Furthermore, we commit to being good corporate citizens by financially supporting non-profits that we believe in. But, we DONT simply make donations with extra profits that are laying around at the end of the year. Instead, we put that commitment first. Donations come out of revenue, not profit. Giving back is not an afterthought. By way of example, ROAD iD Gives Back is an ongoing promise to donate a portion of every (yes, EVERY) order to charity. Our current charity partner, 4 Paws for Ability, is a remarkable non-profit that provides service dogs to children and veterans in need. Like ROAD iD, theyre saving lives and fueling adventure every day. Check 'em out.ROADiD is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity, and are committed to an inclusive and respectful work environment where all team members can thrive

Keywords: ROAD iD, Covington , Technology Director / Principal Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , Covington, Kentucky