Product Development - Head

About Astra:

Astra is a cyber security SaaS company that makes otherwise chaotic pentests a breeze with its one of a kind Pentest Platform. Astra's continuous vulnerability scanner emulates hacker behavior to scan applications for 9300+ security tests. CTOs & CISOs love Astra because it helps them fix vulnerabilities in record time and move from DevOps to DevSecOps with Astra's CI/CD integrations.

Astra is loved by 650+ companies across the globe. In 2023 Astra uncovered 2 million+ vulnerabilities for its customers, saving customers $69M+ in potential losses due to security vulnerabilities. 

We've been awarded by the President of France Mr. François Hollande at the La French Tech program and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi at the Global Conference on Cyber Security. Loom, MamaEarth, Muthoot Finance, Canara Robeco, ScripBox etc. are a few of Astra’s customers.

Role Overview:

As a Tech Lead/Principal SDE, you'll be leading the engineering team for the 0->1 journey of an upcoming product on our platform. You will be the owner of the product and would require a unique balance between hands-on development, architecture knowledge and production support.

You would be ensuring technical excellence, innovation, and alignment within your team. Drive feature design, ensuring regular releases, system optimization, and mentorship while shaping our overall tech strategy along with the Technical Program Manager (TPM).

This is a high visibility & high impact role, where you will be working with the founders & TPM directly. You will be leading the 0->1 journey of an upcoming product on our platform.

Love solving hard problems? Want to build high impact products rooted in first principles? Is coding your poetry? Join us in shaping the future of cyber security.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Specialization in Technology: Act as the go-to person for specific technologies and proactively learn new ones to stay ahead in the industry.
• Technical Architecture: Create the technical architecture for the product, and keep evolving it to meet future requirements, defining and ensuring adherence to SLAs. Focus on reducing technical debt within the product.
• Ownership and Monitoring: Take ownership of production operations, releases, ensuring system uptime, and being mindful of Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Hands-On Coding: Engage in hands-on coding activities, contributing 30% to 70% of your time to development tasks.
• Be like Yoda: The wise and learned mentor who guides others through challenges. If the engineering team is stuck, you should be able to step in, and show them how it's done.
• Team Coordination: Coordinate team members, providing constructive feedback, and facilitate productive discussions.
• Process Adjustment: Adapt and refine team processes based on feedback, guiding the team through necessary changes.
• Technology Evangelism: Research, create proofs of concept, and introduce innovative technologies to the team.
• Process Definition: Define and implement appropriate processes for the team’s maturity level, balancing agility and discipline.
• Company-wide Impact: Contribute to the overall tech organization, influencing its direction and strategies.

Role Expectations:

• Quarterly Co-working: You would be expected to work for 1-2 weeks out of Bengaluru once every quarter depending on the requirements. Rest of the time will be fully remote.
• Architecture and Integration: Lead architectural discussions and ensure seamless product integration.
• Tech Mentoring and Alignment: Mentor team members, drive technology adoption, and ensure alignment with company goals.
• Technical Experiments: Conduct technical experiments, and drive innovation within the team.
• Code Reviews and Feedback: Conduct thorough code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• System Design Presentations: Present and communicate system designs effectively within the team and to stakeholders.
• Technical Capacity Planning: Plan and forecast technical resource requirements, contributing to hiring decisions.
• Production Issue Management: Manage and escalate production issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimal downtime. What you build is what you own.
• System SLAs and Monitoring: Define and monitor system SLAs, metrics, and performance indicators.
• Product Direction and Practices: Define product direction & roadmap, establish best practices, and drive continuous improvement.
• Cross-team collaboration: Collaborate with other Tech leads, Technical Program Manager, Product manager, leadership to ensure alignment and synergy
• Development Process Improvement: Continuously improve the development process, promoting efficiency and quality.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years experience in a similar role or similar working experience
• Strong product & development background preferably in dev-tools or infra product is highly desirable (as a developer, SDET, architect, etc.).
• Knowledge of application & infrastructure security is a plus.
• Knowledge of Golang, Python.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure etc.
• Proven experience in leading and managing technical teams, including mentoring and coaching team members.
• Strong understanding of software architecture principles and design patterns. Experience leading change in large-scale systems.
• Experience with database technologies (SQL, NoSQL) and data modeling.
• Experience with Agile methodologies.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically about technical solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional remote teams.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering high-quality software products on schedule.
• Experience with system monitoring and performance optimization.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in software development, security, and compliance.

What We offer:

• Adrenalin rush of being a part of a fast-growing company.
• Fully remote & agile working environment.
• A wholesome opportunity in a fast-paced environment where you get to build things from scratch, improve and influence product design decisions.
• Holistic understanding of SaaS and enterprise security business.
• Opportunity to engage and collaborate with developers globally.
• Experience with the security side of things.
• Annual trips to beaches or mountains (last one was Chikmangaluru).
• Open and supportive culture.
• Health insurance & other benefits.

Company Overview: 

At Codvo, software and people transformations go hand-in-hand. We are a global empathy-led technology services company. Product innovation and mature software engineering are part of our core DNA. Respect, Fairness, Growth, Agility, and Inclusiveness are the core values that we aspire to live by each day. 

We continue to expand our digital strategy, design, architecture, and product management capabilities to offer expertise, outside-the-box thinking, and measurable results. 

Roles & Responsibilities : 

• Familiar with the software development life cycle (SDLC) from analysis to deployment & coding standards. 
•  Ability to integrate the developed functionality and/or component into a fully functional system. 
• Ensure unit and integration level verification plan are in place  
• Actively participate in troubleshooting, debugging and updating current live system. 
• Work closely with analysts, designers and other peer developers. 
• Preparing technical training documents for onboarding new engineers. 

What we're looking for: 

• You must have good understanding of Object Oriented Programming 
• 5 years or more of professional software development experience with 3 or more years of experience developing .NET/C# web applications using Microsoft Development Products
• You believe in a systematic approach to developing the system through clear documentation (flowcharts, layouts, & etc) of functionality, address every use case through creative solutions.
• You must have defined, designed and built varied components of web-based and/or mobile applications 
• Experience using WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) to build Windows desktop applications is a plus 
• Experience using JavaScript frameworks/libraries (Angular, React, JQuery, D3) is a plus 
• Experience with SQL Server (relational databases) and no-SQL Databases (Apache Cassandra or similar) 
• Strong analytical skills – be a problem solver and be able to develop complex algorithms 
• Strong familiarity of software architecture, databases and design patterns 
• Exposure or understanding of deploying applications on cloud platforms like Azure/AWS 

Work Timings : 3 PM - 12 AM

The primary responsibilities include:

• Responsible for the overall software development lifecycle.
• Management and execution against project plans and delivery commitments
• Drive effective, mature Agile practices and continuous execution improvements within your teams.
• Manage stakeholder planning and communications ensuring key outcomes
• Recruit, coach, and mentor the best engineering and management talent
• Build, coach, and manage a strong team of engineers that set the standard and can up-level the overall talent of the extended organization.
• Provide a strong understanding of native mobile developer platforms and bring broad thought leadership to the next generation mobile developer experience.
• Anticipate and aggressively remove obstacles that slow down or prevent products and programs from delivering on product and program objectives.
• Balance urgent and effective action, commitment to excellence, and taking the initiative to resolve problems; holds internal stakeholders accountable where appropriate.

REQUIRED

• 8+ years of industry experience with 2+ years of senior leadership experience.
• Solid track record of over-achieving engineering and platform delivery and scaling targets in high volume, innovative and fast-paced high-pressure environment; proven results in delivery on platform product.
• Deep understanding of one or more of Java/Python/Scala. Ability to understand and critique the core library/language constructs with skilled knowledge on UI technologies like Angular 2+, React, D3.JS
• Working experience with Agile methodologies and durable team concepts.
• Knowledge in DevOps practices and tools.
• Knowledge in Cloud Technologies, CI/CD, Jenkins, Testing methodologies is preferred.
• Experience in server-side services using ElasticSearch, Kafka
• A strong track record of project delivery for large, cross-functional, projects and bringing in and growing engineering talent
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information clearly and concisely to a variety of audiences.

The opportunity

The Engineering Manager (EM)is responsible for a managing a team of full stack engineers that is building highly innovative and cutting edge solutions. This role is accountable for leading a team, developing code, deploying and managing in production. Most importantly, the EM, while working with the Product owners drives the product Net promoter score (NPS), user satisfaction, building the product roadmap and delivering highly functional, exceptionally innovative and intelligent software. You will be called upon to be the technical representative for your team during cross-team collaborative efforts and planning. Success in this role will require strong and innovative approaches to problem solving, great technical leadership, excellent communication (written and verbal, formal and informal), flexibility, accountability and a self-motivated working style with attention to detail.

You are great at

As an Engineering Manager, you’ll take the lead as you - drive product development, operations and technical decision making. You’ll have a strong focus on team management and development, equal focus will be on writing production code and hands on active development of the capabilities and solutions. Assist in defining infrastructure need and use enterprise solution and drive resolution of technology roadblocks including code, infrastructure, build and deployment. Manage overall software development cycle by adhering to development and security standards. Establish good stakeholder communication and work closely with Product teams and influence set product roadmap and help drive requirements while being a strong advocate of extreme agile and DevOps practices across engineers. Build and manage a team of high performing full stack engineers and provide leadership, coaching, motivation and recommend staffing levels, operating procedures, tools and systems for the team. Provide career development and performance management to a team of engineers.

Required Candidate Profile

• 4 year degree in or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of engineering (software development) experience
• 1-3 years of managing teams with a strong track record of delivery for cross-functional product experience with Cloud hosting and managing products
• Proficient in building high performing APIs and writing specs
• Expertise in programming languages. Hands on experience in Java, J2ee technologies is preferred.
• Experience in SAP Hybris Commerce would be a plus
• Experience with integration, data handling technologies and other open source frameworks
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information in a clear and concise manner to variety of audiences
• Team-orientated, passionate about developing others’ skills and capabilities
• Successful track record of working in large scale technology solutions
• Deep understanding of agile development processes and methodology including continuous integration and delivery, with a mindset of building incrementally and delivering business value quickly

Job Title: Software Development Manager
Job Type: Full – Time 
Location: Pune 
Work Timings – General Shift

Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide project management and overall leadership on every aspect of the software and infrastructure
• Engage in external customer and client discussions at all stages of a project lifecycle as needed, including initial project scoping efforts through development and project presentation.
• Get involved to provide directions for different projects inclusive of research, development, design, evaluation, testing along with delivery.
• Supervise architecture planning and lead efforts to develop a technical roadmap for projects.
• Breakdown the Project stories into Sprints and ensure project completion on time by delegating, monitoring, and mitigating risks.
• Establish and stimulate software development standards and processes along with best practices.
• Perform closely with Engineers, Developers, and Product Management throughout the organization.
• Brainstorming new product development strategies and solutions.
• Constantly find ways to improve efficiency, introduce automation and smart measures for robust quality.
• Ensure quality design reviews to meet the customer’s SLA.
• Supervise resource allocation to assure the attainment of apt business and personnel development goals.
• Involve in strategic plans to accomplish technical as well as business with leadership chain, team, and customers.
• Evaluate projects, develop and update schedules plus supervise project status.
• Collaborate effectively with all team members as well as hold regular team meetings.
• Provide a safe and healthy environment for the team to develop and grow into highly productive, self-motivated, and competitive intellectuals
  
  

Skills and Experience:

Qualifications:

• BE/B-Tech/MBA in any related field.
• Experience: 5+ years

Skills:

• Strong Verbal and Written Communications Skills.
• Strong Relationship Building Ability with teams at all locations.
• Ability to work Collaboratively with various Verticals across multiple Geographical Locations.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, efficiently & accurately.
• Should have technical knowledge of product development over Mobile, desktop, and enterprise infrastructure.
• Should have the ability to independently manage development from design through testing and deployment.
• Should have had experience tech stacks like MERN, MEAN, LAMP, or equivalent.
• UI experience is preferred.
• 2+ years of application development experience using Cloud technologies.

Personal Qualities and Behavior traits:

• Be a good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organization and team members.
• Good organizational and communication skills and excellent attention to details
• Interact with individuals to facilitate information and feedback.

• IIT/NIT Graduates Preferred
• B.E/B.Tech with 1-2 years of experience in Ruby on Rails
• Hands on experience with using libraries such as RSpec, Beanstalkd, Faye and   background processing.
• Good knowledge of at least one of the Javascript frameworks like EmberJS, AngularJS
• Have a background in functional composition of web pages using HTML / CSS, and  turning a wireframe design into a well-formatted, user-friendly responsive web page
• Follow best practices like test-driven development, continuous integration, Agile    methodology, refactoring and code standards
• Proficient understanding of code versioning tools e.g. Git, Mercurial or SVN
• Good knowledge of schema less databases such as Elastic search, redis as well as  Relational Databases such as PostgreSQL
• Excellent problem solving skills and bringing in new, innovative ideas to the table to  make the platform more productive
• Hands-on experience on deployment and maintenance of server (knowledge about AWS  and performance monitoring tools like NewRelic / CloudWatch will be a great plus)
• Should be committed to the job and the growth opportunity in a startup
• Should enjoy working as part of a team
• Should be  proactive, self-driven, and able to thrive in a fast-moving startup environment 
• Should communicate fluently and effectively in English, internally and with external partners