Director of Engineering

About Pearpop

Pearpop is redefining how brands harness creators to reach and inspire new audiences. As a full-service creative partner, we combine creative strategy, creator curation, and media amplification to deliver content that moves culture and drives results. With best-in-class creative, unmatched creator access, and a data-driven approach, we craft strategic, insight-driven campaigns backed by full-stack technology and performance media. Whether acting as a standalone creator solution or an extension of your team, Pearpop ensures every campaign is seamless, impactful, and culturally relevant.

Working at Pearpop

We're bringing together a smart and passionate team of creative builders to join us as we are a growth-stage, high-performance startup. In addition to competitive salaries, we have all the good stuff – equity, generous health and dental insurance, 401(k) with company match, and unlimited PTO. This is a hybrid role based in our headquarters in Los Angeles; fully-stocked with snacks, beverages, cold brew, and everything else you might need!

Position Overview

Pearpop is seeking a hands-on Director of Engineering to lead a team of four engineers in a player-coach capacity, driving the development of our creator management platform. With experience in high tech or media tech and technical leadership, you will contribute code, mentor a small team, and ensure scalable, AI-driven solutions. Reporting to the CEO, you will focus on technical execution and team growth in a fully remote or hybrid Los Angeles role. This is a key position to support Pearpop’s mission of delivering seamless, impactful solutions in the creator economy.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership:

  • Contribute hands-on code (~50% of time) to build and enhance Pearpop’s platform, focusing on back-end systems, AI-driven features, and scalable infrastructure.

  • Design and implement robust architecture using Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services like Google Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Cloud SQL, and Compute Engine.

  • Drive the integration of AI and machine learning technologies (e.g., recommendation algorithms, data analytics) to optimize campaign performance and user experience.

• Team Management:

  • Mentor and manage a team of four engineers and across front-end, back-end, and AI disciplines, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.

  • Set technical goals, provide feedback, and guide career development to build a high-performing team.

  • Coordinate project delivery, ensuring alignment with Pearpop’s product roadmap and tight deadlines.

• Team Growth and Scaling:

  • Lead recruitment and onboarding of a few additional engineers in the coming months, scaling the team to support Pearpop’s rapid growth while maintaining a high-performance culture.

• Process Optimization:

  • Implement agile development processes and CI/CD pipelines to streamline workflows and maintain high-quality standards.

  • Optimize GCP-based infrastructure for optimal performance, scalability, and cost efficiency in high-traffic environments.

  • Collaborate with Product, Design, and Data teams to align engineering efforts with business objectives.

• Stakeholder Collaboration:

  • Partner with the CEO to execute technical roadmaps that support Pearpop’s growth and creator-brand partnerships.

  • Engage with internal stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions, ensuring platform reliability and innovation.

• Team Growth:

  • Support recruitment and onboarding of engineering talent to expand the team as Pearpop scales.

  • Foster a world-class engineering culture that aligns with Pearpop’s fast-paced, creative startup environment.

Required Skills and Experience

• 8+ years of professional experience in high tech or media tech, with a focus on scalable software development.

• 2+ years of technical leadership experience (e.g., tech lead, engineering manager), managing small to mid-size teams (2-10) or leading complex projects.

• Hands-on experience with back-end development (e.g., Node.js, Python) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services, including Google Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Cloud SQL, and Compute Engine.

• Familiarity with AI or machine learning technologies, such as recommendation systems or data analytics, to enhance platform functionality.

• Proven ability to contribute code and guide technical architecture in a player-coach role.

• Experience with agile methodologies, CI/CD, and modern DevOps practices.

• Strong communication and mentorship skills to lead a small team and collaborate cross-functionally.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-stage startup environment, whether fully remote or hybrid in Los Angeles.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the creator economy, influencer marketing, or media technology industries, with knowledge of social media platforms or creative workflows.

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (e.g., JavaScript, React) to complement back-end expertise.

• Prior experience in a Series A or B startup, with an understanding of equity-driven growth.

• Comfort navigating the cultural and technical nuances of the Los Angeles tech and media scene, even if working remotely.

Location - Fully Remote or Hybrid - Los Angeles, CA

Base Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000 per year

Pearpop is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. Pearpop celebrates and embraces diversity.