Compass

Engineering Manager

Compass$194K — $215K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 8+ years of software engineering experience with knowledge of design patterns, APIs, and cloud architectures.
  • 3+ years of managing software engineering teams with a proven track record in hiring and talent development.
  • Practical understanding of Generative AI applications, including prompt orchestration and vector databases.
  • Ability to manage team backlogs and deliver software predictably without over-committing resources.
  • Experience directing hybrid teams of internal staff and external contractors to ensure quality output.
  • Excellent communication skills with capability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of data security and compliance, especially in managing IAM permissions and PII.

Responsibilities

  • Own daily agile development processes and prioritize deliverables for high team productivity.
  • Mentor and develop a hybrid team of engineers and contractors, establishing performance standards.
  • Collaborate with business teams to translate operational needs into clear integration specifications.
  • Implement robust AI-driven integrations using centralized platform components.
  • Enforce high-quality development practices through rigorous code reviews and testing.
  • Monitor integration metrics and set up support processes for operational issues.
  • Facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical teams with clear documentation.

Benefits

  • Participation in incentive programs including cash, equity, or commissions.
  • Paid vacation, holidays, sick time, parental and recharge leave.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • 401(k) plan and flexible spending accounts.
  • Life and disability insurance, along with pet insurance.
  • Employee Assistance Program and caregiver referral network.
Full Job Description
As the Engineering Manager for the Staff AI Enablement Team, you will lead the execution engine of our lean AI Engineering Hub. While our Tier 1 Platform Team builds foundational AI primitives, your team's mission is Business Integration & Deep Automation. You will partner directly with Compass's highest-volume operations departments-such as Finance, Legal, HR, and Brokerage Operations-to build deep, programmatic AI workflows that streamline back-office operations and secure millions in operational savings.

You will manage a lean, agile, and high-performing squad consisting of core full-time Compass engineers and a flexible pool of strategic contractors. This is an execution-focused role where you will translate business needs into technical requirements, unblock development velocity, and ensure that our integrations are secure, performant, and built upon our centralized platform foundation. If you are a collaborative leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about solving real business problems with cutting-edge AI, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities:
  • Lead Execution: Own the day-to-day agile development processes of the enablement squad. Successfully prioritize deliverables, manage planning, and resolve blockers to maintain high team productivity.
  • Nurture and Develop Talent: Directly manage, mentor, and grow a hybrid team of full-time software engineers and contractors. Provide clear performance standards, support technical skill development, and guide career pathing.
  • Partner with Business Stakeholders: Collaborate closely with corporate departments to deeply understand their workflows, and translate ambiguous operational requests into clear, structured, and phased integration specifications.
  • Deliver on AI Automations: Lead the implementation of robust, testable, and maintainable AI-driven integrations utilizing centralized platform primitives (agent orchestration, LLM gateways, and IAM guardrails).
  • Champion Engineering Excellence: Enforce high-quality development practices on your team, including rigorous code reviews, automated testing, and comprehensive system documentation.
  • Manage Operational Metrics: Monitor and optimize integration-specific metrics (e.g., API latency, token consumption, and automation success rates). Establish necessary logging, telemetry, and sustainable incident support processes.
  • Bridge Communication Gaps: Drive clear and concise business and technical discussions, writing high-quality project plans, technical specifications, and postmortems to keep both engineering and non-technical partners aligned.

Requirements:
  • Technical Background: 8+ years of software engineering experience, with a solid understanding of software design patterns, APIs, and modern cloud backend architectures.
  • People Management Experience: 3+ years of experience directly managing software engineering teams, with a track record of hiring, developing, and motivating engineering talent.
  • Familiarity with the AI/LLM Ecosystem: Practical understanding of building applications using Generative AI, including prompt orchestration, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), LLM APIs, and vector databases.
  • Operational Execution Skills: Proven ability to manage a team's backlog, protect developers from over-commitment, make resource trade-offs, and predictably ship software.
  • Experience with Hybrid Team Models: Demonstrated capability in directing and reviewing the work of both internal FTEs and external agency contractors, ensuring quality standards remain high.
  • Strong Communication & Stakeholder Empathy: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex technical constraints into clear business terms for stakeholders.
  • Security & Compliance Awareness: Solid understanding of data security concepts, specifically managing secure IAM permissions, protecting data privacy, and shielding PII.

Compensation: The base pay range for this position is $194,130-$215,700; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Bonuses and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of benefits. Base pay is based on market location. Minimum wage for the position will always be met.

Perks that You Need to Know About:

Participation in our incentive programs (which may include eligible cash, equity, or commissions). Plus paid vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, and recharge leave; medical, tele-health, dental and vision benefits; 401(k) plan; flexible spending accounts (FSAs); commuter program; life and disability insurance; Maven (a support system for new parents); Carrot (fertility benefits); UrbanSitter (caregiver referral network); Employee Assistance Program; and pet insurance.

Do your best work, be your authentic self.

About Compass

Compass is a real estate technology company that provides an online platform for buying, selling, and renting real estate properties. The company was founded in 2012 by Ori Allon and Robert Reffkin and is headquartered in New York City. Compass has raised over $1.5 billion in funding and has expanded to over 350 offices in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company's platform uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help real estate agents better serve their clients and streamline the buying and selling process. Compass has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the world and has received numerous awards for its innovative technology and exceptional customer service.
Learn more about Compass
Size
19,000 employees
Market Cap
$910.4 million
Industry
Founded
1941
5 Year Trend
+102.9%
NASDAQ

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