Creative Engineering Director

Critical Mass•San Jose, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Role Creative Engineering is the discipline that turns ideas into systems, the connective tissue between concept and code, between craft and scale. As a Creative Engineering Director, you own that discipline across accounts. You set the standards, define the vision for how our design systems are built, and make sure every team under you is pushing the same bar for craft, speed, and innovation. Internally, you're building the bench. You manage and mentor Creative Engineering Leads, Associate Creative Engineering Directors, and the Engineers coming up behind them, setting the standard for how design systems get built and how AI is used, not as a novelty, but as a tool that makes the work better and the team faster.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in creative technology, front-end development, or a related field, with a track record of leading teams and functions
Proven experience managing and mentoring managers (CE Leads, ACEDs) as well as individual engineers
Deep expertise in design systems architecture, with experience defining vision and strategy across websites, emails, social, and in-platform formats not just execution
Experience using AI to solve client challenges and improve workflows, with a point of view on where the function should invest next
A strong presentation narrative for internal and external audiences you can walk a room of engineers or a room of C-suite clients through the same idea
Experience representing a function in new business and client relationships
A track record of building and scaling teams, processes, and standards across accounts

Responsibilities

Define the vision for complex, scalable design systems that hold up across websites, emails, social, in-platform interfaces, and every format in between
Set the strategy for how Dynamic Creative Optimization and dynamic content are applied across accounts, guiding teams on when it's the right tool for the job
Identify ways AI can solve client challenges or improve workflows across the function, and champion the adoption of new tools and platforms
Champion compliance, accessibility, and security standards across teams and clients
Represent Creative Engineering with clients and in new business creating compelling stories that win pitches and organically shape new opportunities within your craft
Build trusted relationships with clients as the go-to voice on what's technically possible
Own the narrative in high-stakes presentations, translating complex technical work into a story any audience can follow
Manage and mentor Creative Engineering Leads, Associate Creative Engineering Directors, and engineers across the function, building a leadership pipeline beneath you
Lead the innovation agenda for the function piloting new tools, formats, and processes before they become standard
Champion talent development and culture, creating an environment where engineers want to grow and stay
Set and enforce the bar for technical craft across every team you oversee
Stay close enough to the work to catch what's broken and coach the fix, you lead by example, not just by title