Head of Developer Experience

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DeepL, Europe's leading AI company since 2017, is dedicated to breaking down language barriers and bringing cultures closer together. Our expertise in AI and neural networks has enabled us to create cutting-edge communication technologies for businesses, including the acclaimed DeepL Translator which offers 30+ languages, and DeepL Write, our AI writing companion. Our core offering includes a suite of products and tools made for businesses to communicate more effectively, both internally and with their customers around the globe.

Our goal is to become the global leader in Language AI and build products that help drive better communication, drive connection, and make real-life impact. To do that, we need talented people, like you, who want to be a part of this exciting journey. If you're ready to work with a dynamic team and build your career in the fast-moving AI space, DeepL is your next destination.

What sets us apart

We are committed to innovation and to a nurturing work environment. Founded by developers and researchers, we spend a lot of time actively reviewing the latest trends in generative AI and software engineering. Known for pioneering AI technologies, we dive deep into cutting-edge research to create not only translations, but advanced language solutions. Combining our use of modern technology, comprehensive employee benefits with our open and welcoming work culture is what sets us apart.

When we tell people about DeepL as an employer, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. Maybe it's because of the products that have helped countless people worldwide, or maybe it's because of our shared goal of improving communication for individuals and businesses worldwide. What we're certain of is this: being part of DeepL means joining a team committed to innovation and the well-being of its employees.

Meet the team behind this journey

We are looking for a technical lead for our DevEx function. Working with a team of around 20 people, you will be responsible for building a strong Developer Experience function within the company.

The teams are the amalgamation of the former core DevEx team, the Web Platform team and the Backend Tooling team, which were recently merged to focus on the overall mission of delivering a world-class developer experience.

You will be working as part of the Olympus Unit which provides production and platform engineering services to the whole engineering organisation.

Your Responsibilities

It all starts with our vision of a strong Developer Experience and enabling teams to work at their best.

You collaborate with the engineering teams across the organisation to understand their needs and come to data-driven decisions on how to improve our engineering department. We want to allow every engineer to perform to the best of their ability. Giving them the right tools and spreading knowledge internally is your mission.

People LeadershipTo lead the DevEx organisation, you're directly responsible for a small number of Engineering Managers and their teams, guiding the EMs in their growth and providing strategic direction.

Managing GrowthWithin the overall operations department, we aim to scale better than the overall growth of the business. You will contribute to this goal by enabling our engineers to deliver more. With our constantly evolving product landscape, you'll never run out of challenges!

Strategic Leadership:Responsibilities include leading the strategic direction of the team's engagements and collaborating with stakeholders. While not directly involved in software delivery, the role necessitates a profound understanding of technical architecture, potential challenges, and aligning the team's work with broader organisational goals.

Qualities we look for

• Significant experience in leading Developer Experience roles, focusing on improving DORA metrics
• Leading leaders: The team currently has two engineering managers who will report to you
• Strong engineering background, bonus points if parts of our stack are included:

• C#/.NET with ASP.NET, C++, Typescript, Python or Go
• Machine learning
• Open source platforms based around Kubernetes
• Observability based on open source Grafana stack or comparable
• Data Science tooling (e.g. batch workload systems, streaming analytics systems etc.)

• Experience of initiating and driving large technical projects involving collaboration with multiple teams across an organisation
• 10+ years of hands-on technical experience as an engineer, including experience in large-scale organisations
• Demonstrated ability to influence and mentor teams and individuals across multiple departments or larger organisational structures
• Proactive and proficient in communicating with stakeholders in English, ensuring clear and effective interactions
• Experience with a wide range of observability practices (SLOs, Dashboards, Alerts,..) for business-critical systems

What we offer

-Diverse and internationally distributed team: joining our team means becoming part of a large, global community with people of more than 90 nationalities. We're more than just colleagues; we're a group of professionals with a shared mission to connect diverse cultures. Our global presence is growing-we've doubled in size nearly every year, with our employees based in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and Japan, and we continue to expand our network.

-Open communication, regular feedback: as a language-focused company, we value the importance of clear, honest communication. We value smooth collaboration, direct and actionable feedback, and believe that leading with empathy makes us better together.

-Remote work, flexible hours: whether you're near or in our hubs in cities like Cologne, Berlin, Amsterdam, London, Austin, or Tokyo, or prefer the comfort of your own home, you decide where your office is. We offer remote opportunities, flexible working hours and trust in your productivity, all in sync with your team's general locations and time zones to foster effective and seamless collaboration. Our aim is to integrate your work with your lifestyle, ensuring a balance that respects both your needs and our operational requirements.

-Regular in-person team events: we bond over vibrant events that are as unique as our team, from local team and business unit gatherings, to new-joiner onboardings and company-wide events that bring us all together-literally.

-Monthly full-day hacking sessions: every month, we have Hack Fridays, where you can spend your time diving into a project you're passionate about and get the opportunity to work with other teams-we value your initiatives, impact, and creativity.

-Comprehensive health insurance: your health comes first. With our comprehensive insurance, we'll make sure you're covered from head to toe.

-30 days of annual leave: we value your peace of mind. With up to 30 days off (excluding public holidays) and access to mental health resources, we make sure you're as strong mentally as you are professionally.
-Annual learning budget: because we never stop learning, we've set up an annual budget for your professional development-pick a learning path which contributes to your career development and we'll back you up.

If this role and our mission resonate with you, but you're hesitant because you don't check all the boxes, don't let that hold you back. At DeepL, it's about the value you bring and the growth we can foster together. Go ahead, apply-let's discover your potential together. We can't wait to meet you!

Please make sure to send your application in English.