Head of Engineering

Summit; Kelowna; Hybrid; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Summit as the Head of Engineering and lead the development of innovative software solutions for the commercial insurance industry. This senior role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and technical expertise to drive impactful products and ensure compliance. Work in a modern office with a technology-driven culture and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Flexible health, dental, and mental health plans

State-of-the-art facilities

Technology-driven culture

Supportive environment

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in software engineering.
• At least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of engineering at Summit.
• Lead a high-performing engineering team.
• Architect and design scalable software systems.

Skills

Full-stack development

Cloud infrastructure

Problem-Solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

TypeScript

React

Python

Java

Google Cloud

Job description

About Summit

Building the commercial brokerage of the future. Summit is a boutique commercial insurance firm headquartered in Kelowna and serving most of Canada.

Our mission is to create value through transparency and change the way people feel about insurance.

If you want to work with a commercial insurance brokerage that puts people first and values transparency, sustainability, ownership, and impact, then Summit is the right choice for your career path.

Summit is a team of empowered and driven individuals who live our core values every day. Being a part of Summit offers a chance for the right applicant to make a name for themselves, and help build Summit as a leader in the Canadian Commercial Insurance market.

We’re looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Engineering to join our team and drive the development of cutting-edge software solutions that power the future of the commercial insurance industry. This senior role will provide the leadership, technical expertise, and strategic vision required to shape our technology stack and deliver innovative, scalable solutions.

Position Overview

As the Head of Engineering, you will oversee all aspects of engineering at Summit, from strategic planning and system architecture to hands-on development and team leadership. Your work will focus on delivering impactful products and APIs, integrating software solutions into our technology ecosystem, and enabling the scalability and efficiency of our operations. This role will have a significant focus on compliance, underwriting, and submission management solutions, utilizing technologies like Google Cloud, HubSpot, and modern full-stack development frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership:

• Develop and execute the technology strategy to align with Summit’s mission and business objectives.
• Architect and design scalable, secure, and efficient software systems, ensuring alignment with best practices and modern frameworks.
• Lead the implementation of compliance, underwriting, and submission management solutions to transform the commercial insurance experience.
• Provide hands-on technical expertise, contributing high-quality code when necessary.
  
  

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing engineering team by hiring, mentoring, and retaining top talent.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and ownership within the engineering team.
• Conduct code reviews, promote coding standards, and advocate for best practices in development and testing.
• Partner with third-party vendors and cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, impactful solutions.
  
  

Product Development

• Oversee the design and development of user-friendly interfaces and reusable components using TypeScript and React.
• Drive the development of APIs and backend systems using Python, Java, and other modern languages.
• Implement robust testing practices, including unit, integration, and end-to-end testing, to ensure code quality and reliability.
• Optimize system performance, scalability, and security to support business growth.
  
  

Strategic Oversight

• Collaborate with senior leadership to align technology initiatives with broader company goals.
• Identify and address emerging trends in technology, ensuring Summit remains at the forefront of innovation.
• Manage budgets and resources effectively to maximize the impact of engineering efforts.
  
  

Skills & Qualifications

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Technical Expertise:
• Proficiency in full-stack development, including TypeScript/JavaScript, React, HTML, CSS, and related front-end technologies. Node.js, NestJS, and related back-end frameworks. Experience with asynchronous programming and event-driven architectures.
• Expertise in cloud infrastructure, particularly Google Cloud, with a strong understanding of APIs, performance optimization, and system scalability.
• Experience with diverse data storage solutions and integration of third-party tools (e.g., HubSpot).
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and develop engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to identifying and solving complex challenges.
• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Bonus Points: Experience in the insurance or financial services industry.
  

What Summit Offers You

• Leadership Opportunity: Be at the forefront of transforming the commercial insurance industry through technology.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Work in a modern office in downtown Kelowna or Winnipeg, with flexibility for remote work.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Access to flexible health, dental, and mental health plans tailored to your lifestyle.
• Technology-Driven Culture: Work with cutting-edge tools and technology to support innovation.
• Supportive Environment: Join a collaborative, values-driven team that prioritizes ownership, transparency, and impact.
  
  

Compensation for this role is competitive and will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

At Summit, our values are at the core of everything we do:

• Transparency: We build trust through open and honest communication.
• Sustainability: We create systems, partnerships, and solutions built to last.
• Ownership: We are accountable for outcomes, embrace responsibility, and learn from our mistakes.
• Impact: We think big and strive to make a difference in everything we do, both in business and for social good.
  
  

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and help shape the future of the commercial insurance industry, we want to hear from you.

Summit is an inclusive employer that celebrates diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and provide accommodations as needed during the hiring process. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Join us in building the future of commercial insurance in Canada!