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 people@firstdue.com.

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 people@firstdue.com 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.

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For more information, please review our Candidate Privacy here.