About MetaCTO
At MetaCTO, we specialize in helping startups and growing companies build exceptional digital products through mobile and web app development and fractional CTO services. As Engineering Manager, you’ll serve as a trusted technical partner to our clients — designing solutions, guiding delivery, and ensuring every product we build exceeds expectations.
Job Overview
We’re seeking an Engineering Manager who combines deep technical expertise with a talent for building strong client relationships. You’re the kind of engineer who can sit in a discovery call, understand a client’s business problem, and translate it into a clear technical plan — then lead a team to execute it.
You’ll own the full lifecycle from solution design through delivery, acting as the primary technical point of contact for your clients. You’ll also champion AI-assisted development practices, leveraging advanced AI tools to deliver faster and smarter. This is an opportunity to shape how we partner with clients and deliver products — while being at the forefront of the AI development revolution.
Responsibilities
Client Partnership & Solution Design
- Serve as the primary technical partner for clients — build trust, understand their business goals, and translate them into actionable technical strategies
- Lead discovery sessions and technical consultations to scope new projects, identify constraints, and recommend the right architecture and approach
- Design solutions that balance client needs, timeline, budget, and technical excellence
- Communicate proactively with clients on progress, risks, and tradeoffs — no surprises
- Turn ambiguous client requirements into clear engineering plans that your team can execute with confidence
Delivery & Execution
- Lead an engineering team through the full project lifecycle — from kickoff through launch and beyond
- Own delivery outcomes for your projects — set priorities, remove blockers, and keep the team shipping on cadence
- Step in as a hands-on technical contributor when needed — unblock architecture decisions, debug production issues, drive technical direction
- Keep process lightweight and outcome-focused — stand-ups, retros, and planning should serve the team, not the other way around
- Spot risks early, communicate them clearly, and course-correct before they become problems
AI-First Engineering Culture
- Drive adoption of AI development tools and workflows to accelerate how your team builds, tests, and ships
- Bring AI-first thinking into solution design — recommend AI-powered features and integrations that add real value for clients
- Stay hands-on with emerging AI tooling and bring practical, high-impact applications back to your team
Requirements
- 5+ years of software engineering experience with 1+ years in engineering management, team lead, or client-facing technical roles
- Strong technical background in modern web and mobile development (React, React Native, Node.js, Python, AWS/GCP, or similar)
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships — you’re comfortable leading technical conversations with non-technical stakeholders
- Experience designing technical solutions from business requirements — translating “what we need” into “how we’ll build it”
- Track record of leading teams that ship quality products on time and within scope
- Excellent communication skills — you can explain complex technical concepts clearly and earn trust quickly
- Understanding of AI development tools and their practical application to accelerate engineering workflows
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, client-services environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in an agency, consultancy, or client-services environment where you managed both delivery and relationships
- Background in mobile app development with iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) experience
- Hands-on experience with AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or Claude Code
- Understanding of AI/ML product development, including RAG systems, LLMs, or agent orchestration
- Experience running discovery workshops, writing technical proposals, or scoping projects for clients
- Familiarity with modern DevOps practices, infrastructure-as-code, and cloud-native architectures
Position Details
- Type: Full-Time
- Location: 100% Remote (US time zones preferred for client collaboration)
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000
At MetaCTO, we believe that great work starts with a great workplace. We offer a competitive total rewards package that supports your well-being, growth, and financial security.
Our benefits include:
- 100% remote work with flexibility to manage your schedule
- Unlimited paid vacation to recharge and maintain work-life balance
- 401(k) plan with a 400% company match on the first 6% deferred
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
- Group term life insurance, plus additional coverage options