SVP of Engineering
About First Due
First Due’s mission is to prevent first responder injury or death by providing fire and EMS agencies with transformative, end-to-end software solutions that empower them to run safer, smarter, and more effective operations.
Job Title: SVP of Engineering
Location: Remote - US Only
Country: United States
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Chin Kuo
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $275,000
Job Summary:
This is the top engineering executive under the CTO. The SVP of Engineering is accountable for delivery, quality, productivity, and engineering talent as we scale the platform and the team. The right leader brings the systems thinking to strengthen how engineering operates and the delivery credibility to keep the org shipping through the change.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Engineering Delivery
Accountable for product delivery across all engineering teams
Sets delivery commitments with product leadership and ensures they are met
Directs the VP of Engineering, who runs day-to-day team execution
Resolves cross-team dependencies, resourcing conflicts, and escalations
2. Engineering Operating Model
Defines and standardizes how work flows from requirements to development to QA to release
Reduces friction across teams and improves delivery predictability
Builds the operating rhythm (reviews, planning cadences, decision forums) that keeps the org aligned
3. AI PDLC Enablement
Operationalizes AI-enabled development workflows across the engineering org
Integrates structured inputs (EPS, TRD, Task Plan), automation, and validation into the daily flow
Drives AI PDLC repeatable and scalable
Centralizes Cursor rule development and usage standards
4. Quality Engineering
Evolves QA into a structured quality engineering function
Owns test coverage strategy, release confidence, and defect feedback loops
Existing QA team reports into this role, with a focus on long-term capability building
5. DevOps and CI/CD
Assesses and enhances current CI/CD and deployment processes
Builds out a formal DevOps capability over time
Improves deployment efficiency, environment consistency, and observability
Partners with VP Infrastructure on the underlying platform
6. Platform Engineering
Centralizes the currently distributed group of senior platform engineers
Builds platform capability as a force multiplier for product teams
7. Engineering Metrics and Visibility
Defines and implements a consistent set of engineering metrics, including cycle time, throughput, defect trends, and delivery predictability
Creates visibility that supports faster, better decision-making at every level of the org
8. Engineering Talent and Performance
Partners with HR Operations on expectations for engineering roles and signals of strong performance
Builds structured approaches to performance visibility, team effectiveness, and leadership development
Plays an active role in executive hiring, leveling, and succession for the engineering org
9. System-Level Improvements
Identifies recurring friction points across teams and designs solutions at the root cause
Introduces scalable practices, guardrails, and structural changes the org needs as it grows
Qualifications:
Proven executive with experience running engineering at the SVP or CTO level in a growth-stage SaaS company
Has led a world-wide Engineering team (150+), building a scalable skills and staffing model
Strong engineering foundation (ideally started as a high-performing individual contributor) with meaningful time in senior leadership
Has scaled an engineering org through a similar inflection point (roughly 150+ engineers, multiple product areas, growing complexity)
Running both delivery and systems: has held accountability for shipping while also building the underlying operating model
Building and operationalizing AI-enabled development workflows in a production environment
Improving developer productivity, DevOps and CI/CD maturity, and quality engineering
Leading through senior engineering leaders (directors, VPs), not just managing teams directly
Vertical SaaS, regulated industries, or mission-critical software is a strong plus; public safety experience is an advantage
Working effectively with founder-led executive teams
Executive-caliber leader with judgment, presence, and credibility at the ELT level
Systems-oriented thinker who is also execution-focused
Direct communicator who can partner across functions, push back when needed, and build trust quickly
For US-based Roles
All applicants must be authorized to work for any US employer in the United States. Locality Media LLC is unable to sponsor or transition sponsorship ownership of employment visas at this time. Hiring is contingent upon candidates successfully passing a criminal background check. As part of the I-9 verification of authorization to work in the US, Locality Media participates in E-Verify.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
This role is fully remote with minimal travel expectations at this time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified employees and applicants to perform the essential functions as outlined above. If you require an accommodation during the interview process, please reach out to [email protected].
Working at First Due
First Due offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package for eligible employees, including competitive pay, medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA/HSA, 401(k), flexible PTO, a fully remote workplace, a technology stipend, opportunities for advancement, and other benefits and perks that sets our team apart. Visit www.firstdue.com to learn more.
If you are a resident of a state requiring wage transparency, please reach out to [email protected] for a reasonable estimate of annual base compensation and any eligible incentive compensation. The actual compensation offered to successful candidates for roles may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory criteria including but not limited to relevant professional experience, geographic location, knowledge, skills, and abilities. This range will be reviewed on a regular basis.
First Due is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other protected status or class. We are committed to promoting an environment of respect, acceptance, diversity and inclusivity, and equal opportunity. Discrimination and harassment of any type in any form will not be tolerated.
When you apply for a role at Locality Media, LLC d/b/a First Due, we collect personal information such as identifiers (e.g., name, email, phone number), professional and employment information, education information, and information you provide in your application materials. We use this information to evaluate your candidacy, communicate with you, and manage our recruiting process. We may share this information with our service providers who assist with recruiting and background screening. We do not sell or share applicant personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We retain applicant information in accordance with our data retention policies. California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA. For more information, please review our Candidate Privacy here.
Apply To This Job
First Due’s mission is to prevent first responder injury or death by providing fire and EMS agencies with transformative, end-to-end software solutions that empower them to run safer, smarter, and more effective operations.
Job Title: SVP of Engineering
Location: Remote - US Only
Country: United States
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Chin Kuo
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $275,000
Job Summary:
This is the top engineering executive under the CTO. The SVP of Engineering is accountable for delivery, quality, productivity, and engineering talent as we scale the platform and the team. The right leader brings the systems thinking to strengthen how engineering operates and the delivery credibility to keep the org shipping through the change.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Engineering Delivery
Accountable for product delivery across all engineering teams
Sets delivery commitments with product leadership and ensures they are met
Directs the VP of Engineering, who runs day-to-day team execution
Resolves cross-team dependencies, resourcing conflicts, and escalations
2. Engineering Operating Model
Defines and standardizes how work flows from requirements to development to QA to release
Reduces friction across teams and improves delivery predictability
Builds the operating rhythm (reviews, planning cadences, decision forums) that keeps the org aligned
3. AI PDLC Enablement
Operationalizes AI-enabled development workflows across the engineering org
Integrates structured inputs (EPS, TRD, Task Plan), automation, and validation into the daily flow
Drives AI PDLC repeatable and scalable
Centralizes Cursor rule development and usage standards
4. Quality Engineering
Evolves QA into a structured quality engineering function
Owns test coverage strategy, release confidence, and defect feedback loops
Existing QA team reports into this role, with a focus on long-term capability building
5. DevOps and CI/CD
Assesses and enhances current CI/CD and deployment processes
Builds out a formal DevOps capability over time
Improves deployment efficiency, environment consistency, and observability
Partners with VP Infrastructure on the underlying platform
6. Platform Engineering
Centralizes the currently distributed group of senior platform engineers
Builds platform capability as a force multiplier for product teams
7. Engineering Metrics and Visibility
Defines and implements a consistent set of engineering metrics, including cycle time, throughput, defect trends, and delivery predictability
Creates visibility that supports faster, better decision-making at every level of the org
8. Engineering Talent and Performance
Partners with HR Operations on expectations for engineering roles and signals of strong performance
Builds structured approaches to performance visibility, team effectiveness, and leadership development
Plays an active role in executive hiring, leveling, and succession for the engineering org
9. System-Level Improvements
Identifies recurring friction points across teams and designs solutions at the root cause
Introduces scalable practices, guardrails, and structural changes the org needs as it grows
Qualifications:
Proven executive with experience running engineering at the SVP or CTO level in a growth-stage SaaS company
Has led a world-wide Engineering team (150+), building a scalable skills and staffing model
Strong engineering foundation (ideally started as a high-performing individual contributor) with meaningful time in senior leadership
Has scaled an engineering org through a similar inflection point (roughly 150+ engineers, multiple product areas, growing complexity)
Running both delivery and systems: has held accountability for shipping while also building the underlying operating model
Building and operationalizing AI-enabled development workflows in a production environment
Improving developer productivity, DevOps and CI/CD maturity, and quality engineering
Leading through senior engineering leaders (directors, VPs), not just managing teams directly
Vertical SaaS, regulated industries, or mission-critical software is a strong plus; public safety experience is an advantage
Working effectively with founder-led executive teams
Executive-caliber leader with judgment, presence, and credibility at the ELT level
Systems-oriented thinker who is also execution-focused
Direct communicator who can partner across functions, push back when needed, and build trust quickly
For US-based Roles
All applicants must be authorized to work for any US employer in the United States. Locality Media LLC is unable to sponsor or transition sponsorship ownership of employment visas at this time. Hiring is contingent upon candidates successfully passing a criminal background check. As part of the I-9 verification of authorization to work in the US, Locality Media participates in E-Verify.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
This role is fully remote with minimal travel expectations at this time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified employees and applicants to perform the essential functions as outlined above. If you require an accommodation during the interview process, please reach out to [email protected].
Working at First Due
First Due offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package for eligible employees, including competitive pay, medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA/HSA, 401(k), flexible PTO, a fully remote workplace, a technology stipend, opportunities for advancement, and other benefits and perks that sets our team apart. Visit www.firstdue.com to learn more.
If you are a resident of a state requiring wage transparency, please reach out to [email protected] for a reasonable estimate of annual base compensation and any eligible incentive compensation. The actual compensation offered to successful candidates for roles may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory criteria including but not limited to relevant professional experience, geographic location, knowledge, skills, and abilities. This range will be reviewed on a regular basis.
First Due is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other protected status or class. We are committed to promoting an environment of respect, acceptance, diversity and inclusivity, and equal opportunity. Discrimination and harassment of any type in any form will not be tolerated.
When you apply for a role at Locality Media, LLC d/b/a First Due, we collect personal information such as identifiers (e.g., name, email, phone number), professional and employment information, education information, and information you provide in your application materials. We use this information to evaluate your candidacy, communicate with you, and manage our recruiting process. We may share this information with our service providers who assist with recruiting and background screening. We do not sell or share applicant personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising. We retain applicant information in accordance with our data retention policies. California residents have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA. For more information, please review our Candidate Privacy here.
Apply To This Job