Head of Engineering

We’re Sharp Performance

Sharp Performance is transforming mental wellness for those in high-stress and demanding professions—starting with public safety. Through our mobile platform, we connect frontline professionals like law enforcement officers and firefighters with elite performance and development coaches.

Our approach is grounded in cognitive performance methods adapted from the U.S. Special Operations community. We focus on helping individuals manage stress, build resilience, and perform at their best—without the stigma that often comes with traditional mental health solutions.

We're backed by top-tier investors behind companies like Uber, Airbnb, PayPal, and Palantir. With new partnerships forming weekly and a rapidly expanding user base, we’re delivering life-changing support to those who need it most. If you're driven, mission-oriented, and want to be part of something that truly matters, we’d love to meet.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a hands-on Head of Engineering with a deep backend engineering background to lead our technical vision and help us build the best wellness product in the world. You’ll own the technical roadmap, guide critical architectural decisions, and contribute directly to the backend codebase while growing and mentoring a high-performing engineering team. This is a true player-coach role for someone who thrives in backend development, loves solving complex scaling challenges, and wants to help shape both the product and the team. As Sharp grows, this role offers the opportunity to step into greater levels of leadership, with a clear trajectory toward a VP of Engineering or CTO role.

How you’ll make an impact

• Lead from the front. Actively contribute to the backend codebase, setting the technical bar by doing, not just directing, while mentoring our team.

• Build and scale a high-performing team. Recruit, hire, and retain top engineering talent, creating a culture people want to join and stay in.

• Own the technical vision. Design and maintain a scalable, secure, and fast platform, with a strong focus on backend architecture, system performance, and data modeling.

• Move fast, learn faster. Ship quickly (weekly when possible), gather real-world feedback, and iterate relentlessly. You’re comfortable making decisions with imperfect information.

• Raise the bar for engineering excellence. Champion clean code, testing, documentation, and observability as second nature.

• Collaborate cross-functionally. Work closely with Product and Design to translate user needs into elegant, shippable solutions that drive impact.

The skillset you’ll need to succeed

• 10+ years of software engineering experience, with 2–5 years in technical leadership roles.

• Deep backend engineering expertise with proficiency in PHP and experience designing and scaling complex systems. Fluency in TypeScript for frontend work is also required, but a core strength and passion for backend development.

• Experience building marketplace platforms or two-sided ecosystems, with strong knowledge of system architecture, performance optimization, and data modeling.

• Player-coach mentality. You love building alongside your team while mentoring, coaching, and leveling up those around you.

• Startup or high-growth experience. Comfortable operating in ambiguity, prioritizing for impact, and balancing speed with technical debt.

• Talent magnet. Proven success recruiting, hiring, and inspiring high-performing engineers while building scalable, healthy teams and cultures.

• Strong communicator, capable of explaining technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders in cross-functional environments.

• Leadership trajectory. Ready to grow into a VP of Engineering or CTO role.

Why you’ll love working here

At Sharp Performance, we’re a passionate, driven team committed to making a real impact. As a fast-growing startup, we know our success begins with our people. That’s why we offer a benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and professional growth:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you and your family covered.

• Flexible PTO to help you recharge and perform at your best.

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills, experience, and contributions.

• 401(k) with company match to secure your financial future.

• Opportunities to grow with a scaling company and tackle meaningful challenges.

• A collaborative, mission-driven culture where your voice matters.

Sharp Performance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.