Head of Software Engineering

Earth; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 307,000 - 492,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing company revolutionizing end-of-life care is seeking a Head of Software Engineering to lead their software team. This role involves shaping the technical vision, architecting scalable systems, and mentoring engineers while collaborating across diverse teams. Join a mission-driven organization committed to positive environmental impact.

Benefits

Competitive salary and equity package

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Unlimited PTO

Mission-driven work

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading engineering teams at a startup.
• Passion for managing remote teams.
• Strong communicator with product collaboration experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the software engineering team.
• Define software engineering vision and roadmap.
• Architect scalable systems, ensuring quality and security.

Skills

People Management

Distributed Team Management

Software Development Best Practices

Cybersecurity Principles

Job description

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

At Earth, we believe how we say farewell matters. Our mission is to transform the end-of-life experience by offering families a beautiful, sustainable alternative to cremation and burial.

Instead of traditional methods that harm the environment, our gentle, natural process transforms a body into nutrient-rich soil in just 45 days, returning life to the earth and leaving a meaningful legacy. Families can choose to receive the soil to scatter, plant, or share, while the remainder is thoughtfully donated to conservation projects that restore and heal our planet.

This process—sometimes called human composting or soil transformation—is powered by our proprietary vessel technology, which carefully recreates conditions found in nature. By balancing carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water—while precisely controlling temperature and moisture—we’re able to break bodies down gently and naturally.

First legalized in Washington State in 2019, this practice is rapidly gaining popularity nationwide. Earth is the national leader, backed by major investors, and growing fast.

The Role

We’re looking for a Head of Software Engineering to lead our ~10 person software engineering team. This critical leadership position will shape Earth’s technical vision, translate strategic goals into a clear engineering roadmap, and deliver scalable systems that drive real-world impact.

You’ll work closely with the Head of Product (based in NYC) and collaborate cross-functionally with our Hardware Engineering, Design, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams. Our software engineers are primarily based in the UK, so comfort managing distributed teams is essential.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, manage, and mentor our ~10 person software engineering team, driving development across key areas including control systems, internal operational tools, DevOps, and consumer-facing applications.
• Define and drive Earth’s software engineering vision, strategy, and technical roadmap, and represent the function at the executive level, contributing to broader company strategy.
• Partner closely with the Head of Product to align technical execution with business priorities.
• Architect scalable systems, the most complex of which is our software controls for our proprietary vessel systems. Guide the team towards excellence in architecture, software development best practices, scalability, reliability, and automation of connected devices (with software and firmware components).
• Champion engineering best practices, including CI/CD, testing, reliability, and operational performance.
• Ensure integrity of our platforms by embedding cybersecurity principles into the SDLC, implementing security tools, and developing protocols for incidents.
• Own team hiring, budgeting, and performance, building a high-performing, mission-aligned team.
• Foster a strong engineering culture centered on innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

About You

• Proven experience leading and scaling engineering teams at a growing startup (Head/VP Engineering level).
• Passion for people management and experience leading remote/distributed teams.
• Skilled communicator with a track record of close collaboration with Product.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to technical execution and planning.
• Preferred: Knowledge of hardware control systems, embedded firmware, and connected devices.
• Bonus: C programming, Django, and React.

What Earth Provides

• Mission-driven work that makes a lasting impact
• Competitive salary and equity package
• Hybrid work environment (remote-friendly)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Unlimited PTO

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Consumer Services

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