GitLab

VP of Engineering, Architecture, and Transformation

GitLab

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: United States

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Lead the new Engineering, Architecture and Transformation pillar as part of the ELT, setting a clear vision for horizontal engineering excellence across GitLab.
  • Drive the definition, adoption and continual improvement of engineering best practices, partnering with Product, PMO and vertical engineering leaders to raise quality, reliability and delivery consistency.
  • Own the "Customer Zero" charter by championing internal use of GitLab, unblocking teams and directly contributing to code when needed to validate workflows and accelerate critical initiatives.
  • Define and guide the transition to next-generation, AI-optimized architecture, including the design and rollout of core primitives that enable vertical teams to decouple legacy systems and scale for ultra-scale customers.
  • Build and lead the Architecture, Quality and Engineering Excellence team to deliver non-linear productivity gains through AI-assisted development, including tools such as Claude Code and GitLab Duo.
  • Establish and manage the Horizontal Engineering team as a flexible, embedded group that joins target teams, gains deep context in their codebases and delivers high-impact features and fixes during US business hours.
  • Collaborate across the ELT and senior leaders to identify systemic horizontal challenges, prioritize cross-cutting initiatives and ensure clear technical ownership and accountability for their execution.
  • Champion an operationally frugal mindset by aligning AI and architectural decisions with cost of goods sold optimization, while maintaining high availability, service reliability targets and a strong culture of engineering excellence.

Requirements

  • Large-Scale Engineering Leadership: Proven experience leading large-scale engineering organizations, including horizontal or platform functions that span multiple product areas.
  • World-Scale Service Operations: Deep background in building, operating and evolving highly available, world-scale services with a strong focus on reliability and quality.
  • Architectural Expertise: Demonstrated technical depth across modern software architectures, including experience driving major architectural transitions such as decoupling monoliths and defining foundational primitives.
  • Hands-On Technical Leadership: Hands-on engineering leadership style, with the ability to engage directly in code and technical design when needed while guiding teams from strategy through execution.
  • AI-Assisted Development: Expertise in AI-assisted development and tooling, with a track record of using AI to improve developer productivity and inform product direction.
  • Cost-Conscious Architecture: Experience driving COGS-conscious engineering decisions, optimizing architectures and operations for both performance and cost efficiency.
  • Cross-Functional Influence: Ability to influence without direct authority in a matrixed environment, aligning engineering, product and executive stakeholders around shared outcomes.
  • Product-Minded Change Leadership: Strong product mindset and change leadership skills, including managing the human side of large technical shifts in similarly complex, high-scale environments.
Benefits
  • Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
  • Flexible Paid Time Off
  • Team Member Resource Groups
  • Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Growth and Development Fund
  • Parental leave
  • Home office support
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
AI-optimized architecturelarge-scale engineeringsoftware architectureAI-assisted developmenttechnical designengineering best practicesreliability engineeringcost optimizationsystem decouplingproduct development
Soft Skills
leadershipcross-functional influencechange leadershipcollaborationstrategic thinkingcommunicationproblem-solvingoperational mindsetteam managementstakeholder alignment