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Technical Architect & Engineering Lead

Summary

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Description

Bridgeport Crew is committed to building innovative, scalable, and user-focused digital solutions that create real impact. We combine strategic vision with innovative technology, and we're looking for a Lead Architect to guide our teams in delivering exceptional results.
Location: Kitchener, Ontario
Pay range: Based on experience ($70,000 - $100,000)
This is an on-site role; remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available

Position Overview
We're a growing startup developing a next-generation platform from the ground up - and we're seeking a Technical Architect & Engineering Lead to be our first senior technical hire. This role is critical in shaping both our technology strategy and engineering culture.

As a key member of the leadership team, you will:

• Design and build the product architecture.
• Manage and scale infrastructure.
• Lead, mentor, and grow the engineering team.
• Ensure execution is efficient, sustainable, and aligned with business goals.

This position is broader than a traditional architect or tech lead. You'll contribute as a hands-on full-stack developer, engineering manager, systems architect, DevOps lead, and product partner.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Technical Strategy

• Define and implement the overall architecture for a scalable, cloud-native web platform.
• Make critical decisions around system design, microservices, API strategy, data modeling, and security architecture.
• Ensure the platform is designed for scalability, reliability, maintainability, and cost-efficiency.

Hands-on Engineering

• Write clean, robust code across the entire stack - from cloud infrastructure and backend services to frontend user interfaces.
• Set up the initial CI/CD pipelines, cloud infrastructure, monitoring, and logging.
• Lead technical implementation of core features, integrations, and infrastructure from scratch.

DevOps & Cloud Infrastructure

• Own and manage infrastructure using AWS or Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, etc.
• Implement DevOps best practices including CI/CD, automated testing, infrastructure-as-code, and observability.
• Ensure high availability, system security, and production-readiness from day one.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical leadership to a small team of mid-to-junior developers.
• Establish engineering standards, code quality guidelines, and agile workflows.
• Mentor team members to support their growth and build a strong development culture.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with product, design, and business stakeholders to shape the roadmap and translate business goals into technical execution.
• Provide clear input on feasibility, trade-offs, timelines, and technical risks.

Technology Evaluation

• Stay current with industry trends and evaluate tools, frameworks, and platforms.
• Drive smart adoption of open-source and emerging technologies when they offer real value.

Our Current & Target Tech Stack

You don't need experience with every tool listed - but should be comfortable ramping up quickly where needed.

• Frontend: React, Next.js, Vue.js, TypeScript, TailwindCSS, Vite, Component Libraries
• Backend: Node.js, TypeScript, Python, Go, REST APIs, GraphQL, Websockets
• Infrastructure & DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS (preferred) or Azure, Terraform/CDK, GitHub Actions, CI/CD
• Database & Data: PostgreSQL, Redis, Supabase, NoSQL, Object stores, ORM tools, Caching strategies
• Authentication: OAuth, JWT, RBAC/ABAC, Identity Providers
• Monitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, Loki, CloudWatch, Sentry, OpenTelemetry
• Testing: Unit, integration, and E2E testing frameworks (Jest, Playwright, Cypress)
• Other: API design (OpenAPI/Swagger), Event-driven architecture, Pub/Sub

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of full-stack software development experience, with at least 3+ years in a senior technical leadership or architect role.
• Proven experience designing, building, and scaling modern web applications and distributed systems.
• Deep understanding of cloud-native architectures, containerization, and microservices.
• Strong expertise in DevOps, infrastructure-as-code, and cloud automation.
• Solid background in system design, data modeling, API design, and performance optimization.
• Hands-on experience with both frontend and backend development.
• Passion for clean, maintainable, well-tested code and modern software engineering practices.
• Strong communicator - able to clearly articulate technical decisions, mentor others, and collaborate with non-technical stakeholders.
• Startup-ready mindset: resourceful, self-directed, thrives in ambiguity, and focused on outcomes over process.

Bonus Experience (Nice to Have)

• Experience with Supabase, Firebase, or backend-as-a-service tools.
• Familiarity with analytics, event streaming, or real-time data pipelines (e.g. Kafka, WebSockets).
• Exposure to ML/AI integration or interest in emerging AI tooling.
• Strong eye for UI/UX, accessibility, and design system implementation.
• Past experience as a founding engineer or technical co-founder in an early-stage startup.

Why Join Us?

• Founding team member - help define the company's technical direction and long-term product vision.
• Take full technical ownership and build something from scratch the right way.
• Influence the company's roadmap, culture, and engineering org from the ground up.
• Build and scale a modern platform using the tools and technologies you believe in.
• Competitive salary and long-term leadership opportunities.

While we thank all applicants that apply, only qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. 
BridgeportCrew is committed to a culture of equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. We are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations for persons with disabilities required during the recruitment process are available upon request.
Your application will be reviewed by our HR team. We do not use AI or automated systems to screen, assess, or make hiring decisions.

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