Engineering Manager

Summary

Join BackerKit, a next-generation crowdfunding platform, as an Engineering Manager to lead a 6-person development team. This role reports directly to the CEO and is crucial for delivering valuable features, conducting experiments, and supporting developers. BackerKit uses a Ruby on Rails tech stack and prioritizes fast feedback, small experiments, and agile development. The ideal candidate has 3-5+ years of experience as an engineering manager, prior software development experience (Ruby/Rails preferred), and a strong understanding of agile methodologies. The company offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including 401(k) matching, excellent work/life balance, and a remote-first work environment. BackerKit is a small, founder-led startup with a diverse and close-knit team.

Requirements

• Has 3–5+ years of experience as an engineering manager (Senior EMs welcome to apply)
• Has prior experience as a software developer ( Ruby/Rails experience is a big plus)
• Has worked in startups or small companies
• Is enthusiastic about agile, iterative development
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Manages time well and is proactive in a busy environment
• Is based in the U.S. and able to work Pacific Time hours (approx. 9–5 PT)

Responsibilities

• Align with the CEO on team strategy and direction
• Sustain and evolve our team culture and working philosophies
• Champion your team’s work and support career growth
• Meet regularly with Product to align staffing with roadmap needs
• Hold weekly 1:1s with direct reports
• Occasionally pair program with the team
• Gather 360° feedback and deliver performance reviews
• Lead leveling and promotion discussions
• Coach devs to deepen product thinking and navigate the org
• Address performance or delivery issues as they arise
• Manage time-off requests and ensure appropriate team coverage

Benefits

• Competitive salary and a great benefits package, including 401(k) matching
• Excellent work/life balance - we sign off at 5pm and take unplugged vacations
• Fantastic, diverse, and enthusiastic coworkers (many of whom are creators themselves)
• A thoughtful, mission-aligned team building tools for the future of creative work
• Remote-first position on a distributed team
• Competitive salary and stock option plan
• Annual company profit sharing
• Stipends for supporting creators of your choosing
• Medical, dental, vision, and FSA benefits
• 401k plan (with employer match!)
• Annual Learning and Development stipend to support your professional growth
• Family-friendly environment focused on maintaining a healthy work/life balance