Tech Lead Manager (Platform)

DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to decipher it, and run them on the smallest chips we can. We're solving a new, technically hard problem where nothing from other fields works out of the box, and along the way, we've built our own stack from scratch, including entirely new embedding model architectures, custom GPU kernels, and much more.Joining DS means owning major parts of a fast-growing AI research organization, joining a collaborative, talent-dense team with decades of experience in probabilistic ML, accelerated computing, embedded systems, and signal theory, and growing your career in the areas that interest you. You'll fit in if you want to come to work for the problem itself and don't want to choose between technical rigor, business value, and real-world impact. We work with high ownership and trust, and we do it together in the office 5 days/week.The RoleWe are hiring a Tech Lead Manager (Platform) to lead our platform engineering function — building the shared services, data paths, tooling, and technical foundations that directly shape customer experience.This is a staff-level role for someone who is full-stack but systems aware. You write and review real code. You make decisive technical calls. You lead a small, high-ownership team. And you understand enough about how networks, operating systems, and real-world constraints work to build software that behaves reliably when things get hard.Our product operates where software meets the physical world. That means decisions about data paths, pub/sub architecture, map rendering, offline behavior, and networking surface directly in the customer experience. The best person for this role doesn't just work above these constraints — they understand why they exist.What You'll OwnThe architecture and evolution of our platform and shared services layerThe data path from sensor processing through to customer-facing web and Android experiencesTechnical decisions across the stack — from library selection to system design to deploymentTranslating customer deployment learnings into a clear, decisive development planEngineering practices that raise the bar for quality, reliability, and executionA small team of engineers you'll coach, develop, and hire alongsideHow You'll LeadStay deeply involved in system design and technical decision-makingMake decisive calls on the tech — what tools we use, how we build the data path, how we implement pub/sub, what map library we reach forSynthesize feedback from customer deployments into actionable development prioritiesCoach and develop engineers while remaining a strong technical reference pointOwn company goals and drive execution through ambiguityWhat Success Looks LikeA platform that enables faster prototyping and clearer customer feedback loopsSystems that behave predictably under real-world constraintsEngineers who are growing in technical judgment and ownershipTechnical decisions that scale across the organizationAbout YouThink systems, not just frameworksHas strong full-stack engineering experience and can make confident calls across the stackUnderstands how operating systems, memory, and networks affect real software behavior — even if you haven't spent your career writing embedded codeCan take messy customer deployment feedback and turn it into a clear technical planIs comfortable leading through ambiguity and startup-paced changeWants to stay hands-on while growing engineers and influencing the broader orgTechnical BackgroundPython and/or a systems-aware backend language (Go, C++, Rust exposure valued)Typescript/Javascript & React or comparable frontend frameworksLinux-based systemsNetworking fundamentals — DNS, DHCP, pub/sub, data flow, queuesBackend service architecture — APIs, microservices, data pipelinesBuild systems, CI/CD, packaging, and deploymentYou understand: How to design and build reliable data paths through a system. How systems fail under memory or networking pressure. How to make software that doesn't assume constant connectivity. How to evaluate and select libraries, tools, and architectural patterns decisively.This Role is likely not for you If…You've only worked on abstract, cloud-native systems and haven't thought about real-world constraintsYou want to move fully away from hands-on technical workYou prefer narrowly scoped ownership over end-to-end responsibilityYou're uncomfortable making decisive technical calls in ambiguous environmentsYou've never led engineers, regardless of team sizeWho Thrives at Distributed SpectrumFast learners over specific backgrounds – We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you've worked before.Intellectual honesty – The right answer matters more than being right. You challenge assumptions, test ideas, and pivot when needed.Adaptability – We're organized, but sometimes things change quickly. You find a way to make it work and balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals.Ownership of outcomes – You optimize your own time, focus on what matters to deliver quickly, and cut out inefficiencies.Not building in a vacuum – You stay connected to the rest of our teams and our customers to make sure all the pieces fit together.What We OfferAbove-market salary, equity, and benefits package.Early Series A EquityExcellent health, dental, and vision coverage401(k) match - up to 4% of your salaryFlexible PTODaily office lunches in NYCITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.J-18808-Ljbffr