Engineering Manager

About LawVu

LawVu provides an AI-driven operating system tailored for in-house legal departments, integrating legal intake, case management, contracts, expenditure tracking, and reporting into a unified platform. Trusted by numerous global organizations including Discord and Etsy, LawVu transforms legal teams from reactive service units into strategic partners. Headquartered in New Zealand, LawVu serves clients worldwide with backing from prominent venture capital firms.

Role Overview

The Engineering Manager leads and supports multiple delivery squads, overseeing the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). You will cultivate high-performing teams with active coaching, partner with Product, Design, and Technical Leads, and ensure delivery of quality software that benefits LawVu's global customers. Your leadership fosters an environment of accountability and open problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, onboard, and nurture engineering and QA talent with clear performance management and regular coaching.
• Establish a culture emphasizing ownership, communication, and psychological safety, promoting continuous team improvement.
• Address HR matters including resource and staffing planning across squads.
• Ensure steady software delivery by maintaining SDLC adherence, architectural standards, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams.
• Remove obstacles that impact squad productivity and manage communication during technical incidents in support of the Tech Lead.
• Deliver projects meeting criteria for quality, security, release frequency, and defect minimization.
• Guide architectural decisions in alignment with target system design.
• Occasionally contribute to coding efforts, especially as AI innovations evolve.
• Update leadership proactively about project changes and maintain transparency using project management tools.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to communicate progress, risks, and priorities effectively.
• Promote operational excellence via risk identification, managing dependencies, and implementing standard procedures such as deployment protocols and incident management.
• Collaborate in setting technical strategies alongside peers to optimize delivery efficiency.
• Run effective squad processes including estimation, forecasting, capacity balancing, and continuous improvement under Agile methodologies.
• Address technical debt by prioritizing critical issues and enhancing automated QA coverage.
• Lead the adoption and integration of AI tools like GitHub Copilot to boost developer productivity and maintain team learning initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 3 years managing and developing engineering teams.
• At least 8 years building and shipping full stack applications, involving UI, APIs, data layers, cloud infrastructure, CI/CD, object-oriented design, and automated testing.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent expertise.
• Proven hands-on coding experience with the ability to lead technical decisions.
• Track record of incorporating AI-based workflows to enhance development quality and output.
• Strong understanding of Agile practices such as user story breakdown, estimation, sprint planning, and Kanban.
• Demonstrated skills in coaching, performance evaluation, delegation, and communication within teams.
• Ability to make objective, data-driven technical decisions and communicate effectively across technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships and balancing project priorities with confidence.

Employee Benefits

• Monthly wellness allowance usable for activities or services that support personal well-being.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Extended paid parental leave.
• Additional paid day off on birthdays.
• Share options allowing employees to participate in company success.
• Home office setup allowance for remote workers.

Company Culture and Values

LawVu champions flexibility, inclusivity, and diversity to foster an environment where employees can thrive and bring their authentic selves to work. Core values include inspiring and delighting customers, swift execution, deep problem-solving, ownership, mutual support, and a welcoming culture.

Recruitment Process Overview

• Initial candidate screening.
• Informal conversation with leadership to explore role alignment.
• Case study presentation to demonstrate leadership capabilities.
• Final stage salary discussions and offer presentation.

Additional Information

The role is fully remote based in New Zealand. LawVu is committed to equal opportunity employment and supports reasonable adjustments during recruitment to accommodate diverse needs.