VP Engineering

About the Company
Anon Overview
WE CONNECT AI TO THE INTERNET

1. Anon is a developer toolkit for connecting AI applications to internet services, apps, data, and websites. We're building the connective tissue between AI agents and user identities.
2. We abstract away complexity, allowing developers to focus on building innovative AI applications without worrying about authentication and integration challenges.
3. Our mission is to unlock AI's immense potential. We empower AI to act securely on behalf of users, making the web more traversable and paving the way for a more intelligent, automated internet.

Reasons to work here
WE ARE RESOURCED AND FOCUSED

1. We have experience and capital. We've founded a $300mm VC-backed startup, worked at top tech companies, and raised >$13mm from exceptional investors.
2. We are building a product developers love that enables profound new capabilities for AI agents to securely integrate with services and automate the internet.
3. We are pursuing a massive TAM to be the identity layer for the next internet, where billions of agents are authenticated and managed via Anon.

What we value
? UNDERDOGS ARE HUNGRY DOGS

1. Mentality > Credentials: We're building a winning team, not collecting resume logos. We love working with former founders, and anyone who has a track record of pouring out your heart to win in the past. You can expect some late nights and weekend work as part of the journey.
2. Communication > Comfort: We value people who overcommunicate, stay agile, and aren't afraid to speak up. Give and receive direct feedback, even when it's uncomfortable. Be in SF, come to the office, and collaborate face-to-face. We believe the best work happens when we're together, having fun while building amazing things.
3. Resourcefulness > Perfection: We tackle ambitious challenges and find creative solutions. Embrace ambiguity, adapt to rapid changes, and be willing to ship imperfect attempts quickly. We need problem solvers who can work with incomplete information, not those who wait to be told what to do.

About the Role
Role Overview
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN ENGINEERING LEADER

1. Shape the future of Anon's engineering: As our Founder/CTO transitions to focus more on writing code and architecture, you'll step in to own team management, recruiting, and development processes. This pivotal role will define our engineering culture and set the foundation for technical excellence.
2. Balance leadership and hands-on work: Lead from the front by seamlessly switching between strategic leadership and tactical execution. You'll mentor engineers, make high-level architectural decisions, and dive into code to support critical initiatives.
3. Drive company-wide impact: Your influence will extend beyond engineering. Work closely with founders on product strategy, potentially engage directly with customers, and bridge the gap between technical capabilities and business goals to create lasting impact.
4. Embody our cultural values: Champion our in-person work culture, foster open and direct communication, and contribute to creating a fun and dynamic work environment. Demonstrate a commitment to our underdog mentality and the pursuit of excellence.

Overall you will
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Cultivate Engineering Operational Excellence

1. Elevate team performance: Establish and track key performance indicators including shipping velocity, code reliability, and product quality. Use these insights to drive continuous improvement and optimize engineering productivity across the organization.
2. Orchestrate resource management: Take charge of project timelines, resource allocation, and roadmap development. Balance short-term deliverables with long-term strategic goals to ensure sustainable growth and innovation in our fast-paced startup environment.
3. Champion quality and reliability: Implement robust methodologies and continuous process improvements to maintain high standards. Establish best practices for testing, deployment, and monitoring to ensure our systems are scalable, reliable, and meet the needs of our users.
4. Implement transparent processes: Establish systems for clear, written communication and documentation of work, decisions, and processes. Ensure information is accessible and shared openly across the organization.

Bridge High Functioning IC work with People Management

1. Build a world-class engineering team: Recruit, develop, and retain top engineering talent in a competitive market. Create personalized growth plans for team members and foster an environment where engineers can thrive and advance their careers.
2. Cultivate an elite engineering culture: Develop a strong culture that emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. Create an environment where engineers are empowered to take ownership, share knowledge, and pursue creative solutions to complex problems.
3. Spearhead cross-functional collaboration: Align engineering efforts with company-wide objectives by working closely with product, design, and other departments. Depending on your background, you may also interface directly with customers to ensure our technical capabilities meet real-world needs.

Drive Technical Strategy and Innovation

1. Partner with the CTO on technical vision: Work hand-in-hand with our Founder/CTO to define and implement Anon's technical vision and architecture. Collaborate on high-level decisions while taking ownership of their execution across the engineering team.
2. Shape our technological future: Make critical decisions on tech stack, tools, and processes that will define our engineering trajectory. Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies, strategically positioning Anon for long-term success in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
3. Influence product strategy: Bring your technical expertise to the product development process. Participate in strategic discussions with founders and other leaders, ensuring that engineering perspectives drive innovation and inform company-wide planning.

Things we are looking for
SUPERPOWERS YOU SHOULD HAVE

1. Startup leadership experience: You've been a technical co-founder, founding engineer, or early engineering leader at a startup. You understand the challenges of scaling a team and product from the ground up in a fast-paced environment.
2. Technical depth and breadth: Your strong technical background includes hands-on experience across the full stack. You're comfortable architecting systems, reviewing code, and discussing the latest in AI and ML technologies. Experience with authentication systems or API integrations is a plus.
3. Team building prowess: You have a track record of building and leading high-performing engineering teams. You've hired, mentored, and retained top talent, and you've created processes that scale as the team grows from 5 to 50+ engineers.
4. Product-minded approach: Your strong product sense allows you to balance technical trade-offs with business and user needs. You can translate complex technical concepts into product features and aren't afraid to challenge product decisions when necessary.
5. Communication virtuoso: You excel at explaining technical concepts to various stakeholders, from engineers to executives and customers. You can craft compelling technical visions, give engaging presentations, and write clear documentation.
6. Customer-centric mindset: You understand the importance of user feedback in shaping product decisions. You're willing to engage with customers, understand their needs, and translate them into technical requirements. Experience with developer-focused products is valuable.

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