Lead Founding Engineer/Architect

HRB; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

HRB in New York is seeking a Lead Founding Engineer & Architect to design core infrastructure and shape the technical vision for our growing platform. You will build out the engineering function, guide senior developers, and influence product strategy in collaboration with co-founders.

You will own system design across core app and integrations, lead backend and infra planning with cloud partners, and drive end-to-end feature delivery while maintaining security and reliability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5–10 years of professional software engineering experience, including leading end-to-end projects and/or managing developers.
• Deep expertise with React, Node.js, and JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Strong background in designing complex infrastructure and app systems, preferably with GCP.
• DevOps exposure and experience with production web applications.
• Excellent ownership mindset and ability to navigate ambiguity and rapid iteration.
• Strong communication skills bridging technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own system design and implementation across core application and integrations.
• Lead backend and infrastructure planning and development, leveraging partnerships with cloud providers.
• Oversee full-stack feature delivery from scoping to testing, deployment, and monitoring.
• Recruit, onboard, and mentor junior and mid-level engineers; establish best practices (code reviews, CI/CD, security).
• Drive architectural decisions around scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally on product roadmap and prioritize high-impact engineering work.
• Foster a culture and environment that positions HRB as a tech talent magnet in legaltech.

Skills

React

Node.js

JavaScript/TypeScript

Infrastructure design

GCP

DevOps

Leadership

Job description

Role Overview

As our Lead Founding Engineer & Architect, you’ll design and deliver core infrastructure and systems which power features end-to-end. You will help set the technical vision and build out our engineering function. You will be an instrumental part of our formative years, shaping the culture and vision alongside the co-founders. You will also manage and mentor other developers as we grow, influence product strategy, and evolve into a senior leadership role (CTO or Head of SWE).

Key Responsibilities

• Own system design and implementation across core application and integrations
• Lead backend & infra planning and development, leveraging our partnerships with GCP and others
• Lead full-stack feature delivery—from scoping requirements with founders and legal experts through testing, deployment, and monitoring
• Recruit, onboard, and guide junior and mid-level engineers; establish best practices (code reviews, CI/CD, security standards)
• Drive architectural decisions around scalability, performance, and reliability
• Collaborate cross-functionally on product roadmap, prioritizing high-impact engineering work
• Shape us into a tech talent magnet by fostering an environment that is at the forefront of legaltech, with notoriously good vibes

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5–10 years professional software engineering, including leading end-to-end projects and/or managing developers
• Deep expertise with React, Node.js, JavaScript/TypeScript
• Deep expertise designing complex infrastructure and app systems, ideally utilizing GCP
• DevOps exposure
• Proven track record of building and scaling production web applications
• Strong ownership mindset: thrives in ambiguity, rapid iteration, and high-stakes environments
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate between technical and non-technical stakeholders

Nice-to-Have

• Early-stage startup or hyper-growth experience
• Prior work in legal tech or other regulated industries
• Familiarity with enterprise security and compliance (OAuth, SOC 2, GDPR)
• Banter