Head of Platform Engineering

Descript • San Francisco, CA

71d • $224,000 - $296,000

About The Position

We are seeking a Head of Platform Engineering to lead and scale our Platform organization. This organization at Descript is central to empowering our engineering teams to build and deliver products efficiently and effectively. Operating as an internal product team, the Platform group focuses on providing tools, infrastructure, and services that enable our engineers to deliver exceptional products to our users. You will be leading five teams across Platform, with expectations for continued growth in the next 6-12 months. The Platform organization encompasses: Infrastructure Team, Builder Experience Team, AI Enablement Team, Media Team, and Core Engineering.

Requirements

• 5+ years of engineering management experience, including leading multiple teams or an engineering organization, preferably in platform or developer experience domain.
• Strong technical background with experience in cloud platforms (GCP preferably), scalable infrastructure, and AI/ML technologies.
• Ability to develop and communicate a clear vision, aligning teams and resources to achieve strategic objectives.
• Excels at creating collaborative, empowering, and high-performing team environments.
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Thrives in fast-paced, rapidly changing environments, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive results.
• Holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or has equivalent professional experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing engineering teams at a startup or high-growth company where the rate of change is extremely high.
• Familiarity with AI/ML platforms, tools, and practices.
• Background in building developer tools and enhancing developer experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a strategic vision and roadmap for the Platform organization, aligning with company goals and ensuring cross-team collaboration.
• Recruit, mentor, and grow engineering managers and engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development.
• Ensure execution across the Platform teams is predictable, reliable, and sustainable, implementing best practices in project management and engineering processes.
• Work closely with Product, Design, and other Engineering teams to ensure platform initiatives meet the needs of internal stakeholders.
• Drive innovation within the Platform organization, continually seeking ways to improve our infrastructure, tools, and processes.
• Help scale and evolve our company culture as we grow, promoting values of collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence.

Benefits

• Generous healthcare package
• 401k matching program
• Catered lunches
• Flexible vacation time

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees