Team Lead, Software Development Engineering (Communications Platform)

CarGurus • Boston, MA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Team Lead on CarGurus’ Communications team, you will be a player-coach leading the vision for the central outbound digital messaging infrastructure. You will own platforms that deliver email, push notifications, and SMS to consumers and dealers. You will drive multi-channel integrations with third-party vendors such as Iterable and Twilio, empowering downstream product groups with self-service tools and enabling impactful messaging across CarGurus touchpoints.

You will manage a small, distributed engineering team of direct hires and contractors while contributing to architecture decisions and the codebase. The role leads backend system and API design, development, and maintenance; builds team capability and inclusive partnerships across US-based and offshore engineering talent; enables product teams to launch messaging campaigns; and manages technical vendor integrations. You will also champion delivery performance, uptime, and compliance with privacy and marketing regulations. Working closely with Product Managers and cross-functional partners, you will turn concepts into roadmaps, own milestones within two-week Scrum sprints, and use data to inform decisions and advocate for priorities.

The position offers a flexible hybrid model. The stated annual pay range is $154,000–$193,000 USD. The role may qualify for discretionary bonuses or incentives and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and is part of a total rewards package that includes benefits and equity. CarGurus also describes career development and corporate giving programs, employee resource groups, robust time-off policies, and perks including daily free lunch, a new-car discount, meditation and fitness apps, and commuting cost coverage. In-person interviews may be required, particularly for roles based in the Boston and Dublin offices; candidates will be notified in advance, and travel expenses are their responsibility.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of software engineering experience at scale, with a strong emphasis on backend system development.
• At least 1 year of people management experience, or experience leading technical direction and project management, with interest in transitioning into formal people management.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of Java, Java-based frameworks, and API design and management.
• Experience working in an AWS ecosystem.
• Experience using debugging and monitoring tools such as Grafana and Honeycomb.
• Proven ability to articulate business value to downstream consumers and manage complex third-party vendor relationships.
• Experience with AI coding tools such as Claude.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience or exposure to frontend technologies, including JavaScript, React Remix, and TypeScript.
• Knowledge of messaging protocols or privacy compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage a small, distributed engineering team of direct hires and contractors while contributing to architecture decisions and the codebase.
• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of robust backend systems and APIs that power communications services.
• Coach and support the team with empathy and active listening, building inclusive, high-trust partnerships across US-based and offshore engineering talent.
• Build tools and processes that enable product teams to launch messaging campaigns, and manage technical integrations with third-party platforms.
• Champion message delivery performance, system uptime, and adherence to industry privacy and marketing regulations.
• Partner with Product Managers to turn concepts into actionable roadmaps and own project milestones within two-week Scrum sprints.
• Use data to inform decisions and advocate for prioritization with downstream partners and senior leadership.

Benefits

• Equity for all employees, both at hiring and as they continue to grow.
• Career development and corporate giving programs.
• Employee resource groups (ERGs) and communities.
• Flexible hybrid model and robust time-off policies.
• Daily free lunch.
• New-car discount.
• Meditation and fitness apps.
• Commuting cost coverage.
• The role may qualify for discretionary bonuses or incentives and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed