Tech Lead

Clera

$240K — $260K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4-12 years of experience, with some time as an individual contributor prior to leadership roles.
  • Experience managing 4-10 engineers with formal people management skills.
  • Proficient in Python and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), particularly in deploying ML models.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and scaling AI/ML systems in cloud-based SaaS or startups.
  • Background in conversational AI, voice technology, or NLP/LLM applications.
  • Strong technical judgment for evaluating architecture and engineering decisions.
  • Excellent project management skills with structured and proactive prioritization.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and lead a team of four engineers, overseeing roadmaps and task prioritization.
  • Review code and architectural decisions, ensuring high standards of quality in performance and design.
  • Establish engineering best practices and team processes to enhance productivity.
  • Collaborate as a technical partner with the CEO, CTO, and cross-functional leaders in Sales and Customer Success.
  • Dedicate 20-30% of time to direct contributions to the codebase.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead a high-impact team at a fast-growing YC-backed startup.
  • Engage directly in hands-on coding alongside leadership duties.
  • Work in a vibrant, innovative field focused on voice AI and machine learning.
  • Exposure to a dynamic startup environment with potential for rapid career growth.
Full Job Description
About the Role

This is a CTO-level leadership role embedded within the engineering team of a fast-growing YC-backed voice AI startup. You'll own day-to-day engineering operations - managing a team of four engineers, setting the technical direction, and contributing hands-on to the codebase - while partnering closely with executive leadership to accelerate growth.
What You'll Do
  • Manage and lead a team of four engineers, owning roadmaps, 1:1s, and task prioritization.
  • Review code and architectural decisions, holding the bar on quality across speed, performance, and design.
  • Establish engineering best practices, project management cadences, and team processes.
  • Act as a technical sparring partner to the CEO, CTO, and cross-functional leaders in Sales and Customer Success.
  • Contribute directly to the codebase, spending roughly 20-30% of your time as an individual contributor.
What We're Looking For
  • 4-12 years of experience, with a meaningful portion as an individual contributor before moving into leadership.
  • Formal people management experience leading teams of 4-10 engineers.
  • Strong backend development skills in Python and hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), including deploying ML models to production.
  • Experience designing and scaling AI/ML systems, ideally in cloud-based SaaS or startup environments.
  • Hands-on background with conversational AI, voice technology, or NLP/LLM applications.
  • Sharp technical judgment - able to evaluate architecture, performance, and engineering tradeoffs.
  • Highly structured and proactive, with excellent prioritization and project management instincts.
  • Strong communication skills and executive presence; comfortable advocating technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Fluent English required.
  • Background in management consulting is a plus.
  • Must have the right to work in the US - no visa sponsorship available.
Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $240,000 - $260,000 USD annually. No visa sponsorship is available for this role.
Location

On-site, five days per week in San Francisco, CA.

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