About inquirED
inquirED was founded by teachers with the mission of bringing rigorous and joyful learning to every student. We’re a fast-growing startup, serving more educators and students every day. Inquiry Journeys, our elementary social studies curriculum, is now used in schools and districts in 30+ states to help students develop deep social studies content knowledge and the inquiry skills that are essential for a thriving democracy. Building on this success, we’re now developing a humanities curriculum to further our mission. Join our team of designers, advocates, guides, thought leaders, and makers to help us make an even greater impact. Together we can shape the future of education.
About the role
Description
The Director of Engineering for ELA will be the driving force behind the technical development and successful delivery of a groundbreaking new product offering, shaping its technical foundation and strategic direction to meet the highest standards. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to bring the product from concept to launch. Leading a team of engineers, you'll design and implement scalable solutions that empower educators and inspire students. If you're passionate about leveraging technology to transform education and make a real difference in students' lives, this is your opportunity to lead the charge, build and mentor a high-performing team, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning. The work you do will directly impact how students learn and grow, shaping the future of education.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the engineering process specifically for the ELA product, from concept to launch, ensuring it aligns with the unique needs of language arts instruction.
Make key technology decisions to ensure scalability, maintainability, and performance, with a focus on creating a platform that supports the dynamic and evolving nature of ELA curriculum.
Be hands-on with coding and technical problem-solving, as needed, to drive the product forward, demonstrating a deep understanding of ELA-specific technical challenges.
Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement that is passionate about the impact of technology on language arts education.
Lead by example, contributing to the codebase and guiding technical discussions related to ELA-specific features and functionalities.
Develop and implement a technical strategy aligned with the product roadmap, driving the ELA product from 0 to 1, considering the unique requirements and complexities of language arts instruction.
Work closely with Product Management, Design, Curriculum, and other teams to translate ELA-specific requirements into actionable development plans.
Enforce standards for code quality, testing, and deployment, incorporating automated testing and CI/CD practices that support the iterative and collaborative nature of ELA product development.
Serve as the primary technical point of contact for the ELA product, providing regular updates on progress, risks,and strategies while maintaining confidentiality.
Requirements:
8–10 years of software engineering experience, with at least 5+ years in the EdTech industry, preferably with experience in taking ELA or literacy-focused products from concept to launch
3+ years in engineering leadership, with a proven track record of managing and mentoring high-performing teams in the context of educational technology product development.
Expertise in architectural decision-making, technology selection, and design patterns that support the unique needs of ELA instruction, such as handling diverse content types and supporting collaborative learning experiences.
Strong knowledge of modern software development technologies and practices, including CI/CD, automated testing, and quality assurance specifically relevant to ELA product development.
Experience building and leading engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that is motivated by the impact of technology on language arts education.
Ability to work closely with cross-functional teams, particularly curriculum experts and ELA specialists, to align technical efforts with product goals.
Capable of developing and executing a technical strategy that supports ELA product development from 0 to 1,understanding the nuances of ELA pedagogy and instructional design.
Excellent communication skills for stakeholder management, including regular updates on progress and risk mitigation, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders involved in ELA product development.
Hands-on software development experience with React, Node.js, NestJS, and TypeScript, demonstrating proficiency in the technologies used to build the ELA product.
Why Work For Us
Health & 401K: Employee-covered health care and retirement match
Flexible PTO & Company Closures: Flexible PTO and 12+ observed days off.
Chances to Connected: Biannual company retreats and optional local meetups
Remote Opportunities: Most positions are remote, supporting work-from-home flexibility
Perks and Stipend: Technology package provided, plus a home office stipend
Learning and Development: Educational and development opportunities, monthly Brunch and Learns, and more!
*Please note that because of high application volume, we are only able to respond to applicants moving forward in the process.
The base compensation range for this role is $160,000-190,000. Total compensation for this role also includes a full benefits package. This compensation range and title may be adjusted based on actual experience.
Must be U.S. based.
The pay range for this role is:
160,000 - 190,000 USD per year (Remote - United States)