Director of engineering (full stack - mobile)

Company Overview :

StrivePath is an innovative academic and college advising platform that goes beyond traditional consulting. We empower students and families by connecting them with trusted local resources and fostering community engagement.

We’re building a comprehensive app that will enhance how we serve our families, bringing together scheduling, communication, a parent community, and AI-driven guidance.

As our Director of Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology and product strategy.

Role Overview :

As the Director of Engineering, you will take full ownership of StrivePath’s technical roadmap. You’ll lead the design, development, and deployment of our mobile app, and collaborate with leadership to ensure the technology aligns with our broader business goals.

This is both a hands-on coding role and a leadership position, responsible for laying the foundation of our engineering function.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead App Development : Architect, design, and deploy a cross-platform mobile app (iOS / Android) that supports scheduling, note-taking, communication tools, and community features.
• Backend Infrastructure : Build and maintain scalable backend systems using cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), ensuring efficient data capture and secure storage.
• Community Features & Engagement : Develop real-time messaging and community engagement features for our parent and student communities.
• AI Guidance Bot Development : Create the infrastructure to support a future AI-driven guidance bot by setting up data pipelines and integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies.
• Team Growth : As the company scales, you’ll have the opportunity to grow the engineering team and mentor junior developers, overseeing the technical direction of the company.
• Data Security & Compliance : Implement best practices in data security and ensure compliance with privacy regulations (FERPA, COPPA, GDPR).
• Collaboration with Leadership : Work closely with the founder and leadership team to align technical strategy with business objectives and future product development.

Requirements :

• 8+ years of experience in full-stack development, with a strong focus on mobile app development (React Native, Flutter, or similar).
• Proven experience leading technical projects from concept to completion, ideally in a startup or fast-growing company environment.
• Cloud infrastructure experience, with hands-on knowledge of AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud platforms.
• Strong understanding of AI / ML concepts, particularly in Natural Language Processing (NLP), with experience integrating chatbots or AI-driven tools.
• Experience with real-time communication tools (Firebase, WebSockets, etc.) to build community and messaging features.
• Solid understanding of data privacy and security practices, especially in handling sensitive student or family data.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to driving technical solutions that meet business needs.
• Leadership and mentoring experience, with a passion for building and developing an engineering team.

What We Offer :

• Leadership opportunity to shape the tech function at an early-stage company, with a direct impact on product and strategy.
• Flexible work environment, with the ability to work remotely and occasional travel to East Bay, CA.
• Competitive salary and equity package, with potential for growth as the company scales.
• Professional development opportunities, including training and access to industry resources to support your growth as a leader and engineer.

If you’re excited about building a tech-driven platform that supports students and their families, and you’re eager to take on both technical and leadership responsibilities, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us at StrivePath and help shape the future of academic advising!