Experienced Technical Lead II, Backend - Live Chat Development at blithequark

Are you a seasoned software engineer with a passion for leading high-performing teams and driving technical innovation? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can make a significant impact on the development of cutting-edge products? If so, we invite you to join blithequark's Live Chat Backend team as a Technical Lead II, where you'll have the opportunity to shape the future of customer support and collaboration. About the Live Chat Team at blithequark The Live Chat Team at blithequark is a dynamic and ambitious group of engineers, designers, and product managers working together to build a first-class product that empowers support teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences through real-time conversations. Our product is designed to scale, supporting millions of messages with high performance and reliability. We're committed to expanding our system to provide a holistic service that goes beyond chat capabilities, and we're looking for talented individuals to and help us achieve this vision. Key Responsibilities As a Technical Lead II on our Live Chat Backend team, you'll be responsible for: * Leading a small team of software engineers and providing technical guidance, product direction, and coaching to help them grow and develop their skills * Participating in the technical execution and delivery of new features to improve time to value and enhance the overall customer experience * Unifying separate systems into a cohesive chat experience that meets the needs of our customers and support teams * Exploring generative AI opportunities to help our customers move fast and achieve their goals * Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Product, Design, and other Tech Leads, to establish relevant, compelling, and challenging goals * Actively working with other Tech Leads to address and resolve cross-team issues and ensure the overall quality and reliability of our product * Taking proactive ownership of the team's on-call health, product reliability, and overall quality * Serving as an active member of the team's leadership triad, helping to co-set the team's direction and make key decisions * Fostering an environment that encourages autonomy, psychological safety, and continuous learning and growth * Regularly evaluating team members' performance and providing necessary coaching, guidance, and learning opportunities to support their career growth Essential Qualifications To be successful in this role, you'll need: * A strong background in software engineering, with a focus on backend development and a passion for writing code and reading code * Experience leading small teams and providing technical guidance, product direction, and coaching to help team members grow and develop their skills * A proven track record of delivering high-quality products and features on time and within budget * Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders * A strong understanding of software development principles, including design patterns, testing, and continuous integration and delivery * Experience with Java 11, RESTful APIs, and Dropwizard framework is a plus * Familiarity with Kafka and microservices architecture is a plus Preferred Qualifications While not required, the following qualifications would be a plus: * Experience with generative AI and its applications in customer support and collaboration * Familiarity with industry-leading 3rd party tools and robust home-grown infrastructure * Experience with data infrastructure and data engineering * Strong understanding of cloud computing and containerization * Experience with DevOps practices and tools, such as Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes Skills and Competencies To succeed in this role, you'll need to possess: * Strong technical skills, with a focus on backend development and a passion for writing code and reading code * Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire team members * Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and resolve complex technical issues * Excellent collaboration and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders * Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand and prioritize business needs and goals * Strong understanding of software development principles, including design patterns, testing, and continuous integration and delivery Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits At blithequark, we're committed to helping our employees grow and develop their skills and careers. As a Technical Lead II, you'll have access to: * Regular training and development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and online courses * Mentorship and coaching from experienced leaders and engineers * Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and contribute to the development of cutting-edge products * A dynamic and supportive team environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning and growth Work Environment and Company Culture At blithequark, we're committed to creating a work environment that's inclusive, diverse, and supportive of all employees. Our company culture is grounded in four commitments: * Solve for the Customer: We're committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and meeting the needs of our customers and support teams. * Be Bold: We're a bold and ambitious company that's always looking for new and innovative ways to solve complex problems and achieve our goals. * Learn Fast: We're committed to continuous learning and growth, with a focus on staying up-to-date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices. * Align, Adapt & Go!: We're a fast-paced and agile company that's always adapting to changing circumstances and priorities. Compensation, Perks, and Benefits As a Technical Lead II at blithequark, you'll receive: * A competitive salary range of $191,100 - $305,800 per year * A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as 401(k) matching and paid time off * A dynamic and supportive team environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning and growth * Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and contribute to the development of cutting-edge products * A flexible and remote-friendly work environment that allows you to work from anywhere and maintain a healthy work-life balance Conclusion If you're a seasoned software engineer with a passion for leading high-performing teams and driving technical innovation, we invite you to join blithequark's Live Chat Backend team as a Technical Lead II. We're a bold and ambitious company that's always looking for new and innovative ways to solve complex problems and achieve our goals. We're committed to creating a work environment that's inclusive, diverse, and supportive of all employees, and we're excited to welcome talented individuals like you to our team. If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, please including your resume and a cover letter that highlights your relevant experience and qualifications. We can't wait to hear from you!