Engineering Manager

Esper was founded in 2018 with a mission to empower dynamic and responsive policymaking in government. We align existing data, stakeholders, and public policy goals to streamline the policymaking process at all levels of government. We imagine a world where policymaking is driven by data and insights from all stakeholders, transforming traditional bureaucracy into a dynamic and flexible system that encourages innovation and collaboration.

As a fast-growing GovTech company, Esper is at the intersection of two powerful forces: the modernization of government operations and the transformative potential of data-driven decision-making. Our customer base is expanding rapidly, and we are building the team that will define how public policy is shaped for decades to come.

Esper is looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to help drive this mission forward and lead our eight‑person engineering team and report directly to the CTO.

In this role, you will champion productivity, measurement, and analytics by establishing metrics and overseeing sprint planning and execution in JIRA. You will collaborate closely with product management to shape the roadmap, balance mid‑sprint additions, and identify planning gaps or quality issues. As a hands-on leader, you will mentor and develop our tenured engineers, foster an exciting environment that embraces responsible AI innovation, and partner with sales and other teams to deliver products that align with market and customer needs.

You will help define and influence product strategy while ensuring that engineering efforts remain aligned with Esper’s mission to empower principled, accountable government.

What You'll Do

Lead, coach and grow a high‑performing engineering team of eight, providing regular mentorship, feedback, and career development opportunities Plan, manage, and track sprints in JIRA, balancing workload and ensuring commitments are met while adapting to mid‑sprint changes and removing blockers Define and monitor engineering metrics; measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques to improve productivity and quality Collaborate with product management to understand customer needs, participate in Agile planning, and shape the product roadmap and strategy Work cross‑functionally with design, sales, marketing and operations to ensure alignment on vision and deliver products that meet market needs Drive the safe adoption of AI in our products by incorporating ethical guidelines, prioritizing transparency and explainability, and evaluating systems to prevent bias Facilitate daily Scrum and other rituals; encourage self‑organizing teams and continuous improvement practices Identify and address planning gaps, quality issues, and resource constraints; continuously refine processes and champion modern development practices

What We're Looking For

Technical skills & experience Proven experience managing and mentoring software engineering teams (ideally 6–10 engineers) and driving productivity improvements Deep understanding of Agile/Scrum methodology; able to facilitate sprint planning, daily stand‑ups and retrospectives, and manage work in JIRA Strong analytical skills with expertise in measuring project performance, defining metrics, and using tools to track progress and quality Hands‑on technical background in software engineering, architecture, and cloud technologies, with ability to guide technical design and ensure high‑quality code Experience working closely with product management to translate customer needs into technical roadmaps and deliverables Knowledge of AI/ML principles and ethical considerations; experience incorporating AI features responsibly into products Soft skills Servant‑leader mindset with strong coaching and mentoring skills; ability to inspire, motivate and develop tenured engineers Excellent communication and collaboration skills; adept at bridging engineering, product, sales and other teams to achieve shared outcomes Ability to manage competing priorities, balance workload, and adapt to changing requirements while maintaining focus on long‑term goals Strategic thinker with curiosity about the product and market, capable of aligning engineering efforts with customer needs and business objectives Commitment to ethical and responsible use of AI and technology; advocates for transparency, fairness and ongoing learning Empathy and openness to feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety

Bonus Experience Experience working in early‑stage startups or public‑sector technology companies Familiarity with government policy, regulatory environments or civic tech Exposure to product design or UX, including running user research and beta programs Experience implementing analytics dashboards or developer productivity tools Contributions to AI ethics or participation in industry forums on responsible AI

Perks And Benefits

Being a part of an innovative and collaborative team that will both support and challenge you Significant opportunity for growth and ownership and to shape Esper for the long-term Competitive salary and equity at a growing early-stage company Paid holidays & unlimited PTO Medical, dental, and vision insurance Generous parental & sick leave 401(k) retirement plan with employer match Short/Long term disability & life insurance Flexible spending account (FSA)Work anniversary equity grants Monthly stipend to offset remote work expenses Office equipment allowance Paid Time Off to participate in volunteer/community events