Tech lead

Please note that candidates must currently live in the following states; DC, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.

We're looking for a Tech Lead, AI who will build and lead the technical team creating our new suite of AI-powered products for mission-driven organizations around the world.

You'll build and lead the cross-functional, technical team creating these products - managing engineers, data scientists, and designers working together to build Civis' next software solution. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role where you'll be building a team and products from scratch, working at the cutting edge of AI application development, and directly shaping how we bring AI capabilities to the nonprofit sector.

Salary: $140,000

What You'll Do

• Build and manage a cross-functional technical team (engineers, data scientists, design) through rapid hiring, contracting and onboarding
• Create clarity and alignment across fast-moving, interdependent projects where architectural decisions in one product impact the others
• Build team culture and processes from the ground up—you'll define how this team works, ships, and grows
• Create, maintain, and meet an engineering roadmap built in partnership with product and leadership
• Ensure that software meets high standards for quality while facing speed-to-market pressure. Execute sprint planning.
• Communicate goals, risks, and progress to executive leadership with clarity and confidence
• Make hard decisions about hiring, prioritization, and technical approach with incomplete information

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years managing engineering teams, including hiring, performance management, and career development
• Track record of building or scaling teams in high-growth environments (startups, new product lines, or rapid expansion phases)
• Experience managing cross-functional teams (engineering + data science/ML, or engineering + product + design)
• Technical credibility to discuss architecture, technical trade-offs, and feasibility with engineers working in Python, React, and AI frameworks
• Proven ability to deliver complex software projects with aggressive timelines and evolving requirements
• Experience navigating ambiguity—you've built products where the path wasn't clear from day one
• Strong judgment about when to move fast vs. when to slow down and build it right
• Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Work authorization in the US

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing teams working with AI/ML technologies (LLMs, agent frameworks, ML engineering)
• Previous experience in a startup or "startup within a larger company" environment
• Experience building products for non-technical end users in technical domains
• Background managing teams working on data platforms, analytics tools, or SaaS products
• Technical background in Python, modern web frameworks, and/or cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS)
• Experience with hiring across multiple disciplines (engineering, data science, design)

You Should Apply If:

• You thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments where you're building the plane while flying it
• You're energized by building teams and culture from scratch rather than inheriting established processes
• You're excited about AI's potential to make sophisticated technical capabilities accessible to non-experts
• You care deeply about both shipping great products AND growing great people
• You're comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and adjusting as you learn

You Should Not Apply If:

• You prefer managing established teams with well-defined processes and roadmaps
• You're uncomfortable with AI/ML technologies or leading teams working in unfamiliar technical domains
• You need extensive planning and certainty before making decisions
• You want to focus primarily on technical architecture rather than people management
• You're looking for a role with predictable, steady-state execution rather than rapid team building and product development

Civis embraces the individuality of our employees and we celebrate each other's differences. Our products, services, and culture benefit from and thrive on the unique perspectives brought by each person in our Civis community. We're proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, age, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact [email protected]

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

EEO IS THE LAW

EEO Supplement

Pay Transparency

Employee and Applicant Privacy Notice