Engineering Manager
Esper
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Austin • Texas • United States
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Tech Stack
About the role
- Lead, coach and grow a high‑performing engineering team of eight, providing regular mentorship, feedback, and career development opportunities
- Plan, manage, and track sprints in JIRA, balancing workload and ensuring commitments are met while adapting to mid‑sprint changes and removing blockers
- Define and monitor engineering metrics; measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques to improve productivity and quality
- Collaborate with product management to understand customer needs, participate in Agile planning, and shape the product roadmap and strategy
- Work cross‑functionally with design, sales, marketing and operations to ensure alignment on vision and deliver products that meet market needs
- Drive the safe adoption of AI in our products by incorporating ethical guidelines, prioritizing transparency and explainability, and evaluating systems to prevent bias
- Facilitate daily Scrum and other rituals; encourage self‑organizing teams and continuous improvement practices
- Identify and address planning gaps, quality issues, and resource constraints; continuously refine processes and champion modern development practices
Requirements
- Proven experience managing and mentoring software engineering teams (ideally 6–10 engineers) and driving productivity improvements
- Deep understanding of Agile/Scrum methodology; able to facilitate sprint planning, daily stand‑ups and retrospectives, and manage work in JIRA
- Strong analytical skills with expertise in measuring project performance, defining metrics, and using tools to track progress and quality
- Hands‑on technical background in software engineering, architecture, and cloud technologies, with ability to guide technical design and ensure high‑quality code
- Experience working closely with product management to translate customer needs into technical roadmaps and deliverables
- Knowledge of AI/ML principles and ethical considerations; experience incorporating AI features responsibly into products
- Servant‑leader mindset with strong coaching and mentoring skills; ability to inspire, motivate and develop tenured engineers
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills; adept at bridging engineering, product, sales and other teams to achieve shared outcomes
- Ability to manage competing priorities, balance workload, and adapt to changing requirements while maintaining focus on long‑term goals
- Strategic thinker with curiosity about the product and market, capable of aligning engineering efforts with customer needs and business objectives
- Commitment to ethical and responsible use of AI and technology; advocates for transparency, fairness and ongoing learning
- Empathy and openness to feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety
Benefits
- Being a part of an innovative and collaborative team that will both support and challenge you
- Significant opportunity for growth and ownership and to shape Esper for the long-term
- Competitive salary and equity at a growing early-stage company
- Paid holidays & unlimited PTO
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous parental & sick leave
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
- Short/Long term disability & life insurance
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Work anniversary equity grants
- Monthly stipend to offset remote work expenses
- Office equipment allowance
- Paid Time Off to participate in volunteer/community events
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
Agile methodologyScrumJIRAsoftware engineeringcloud technologiesAI principlesML principlestechnical designengineering metricsproject performance measurement
Soft Skills
coachingmentoringcommunicationcollaborationstrategic thinkingempathyadaptabilityleadershipproblem-solvingcontinuous improvement