Job Summary:
Duolingo is on a mission to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. As a Creative Technology Manager, you will manage a team of Creative Technologists while leading the prototyping of new ideas and creating interactive, production-ready experiences that enhance learning for millions of users.
Responsibilities:
• Act as the technical lead for cross-functional partners (product designers, product managers, and engineers) to unblock bold ideas and drive them from concept through delivery
• Develop your team’s skills and careers, giving clear, actionable feedback and coaching toward greater scope and impact
• Create and evolve complex animated UI using Rive or similar technologies for high-visibility features across the app
• Collaborate directly with iOS and Android engineers to design asset functionality, troubleshoot, and optimize performance
• Shape our design and animation ecosystem (Rive, Figma, Unity, internal tools) by developing tools, automations, and systems that scale high-quality output
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years in roles adjacent to creative technology (e.g., technical animation, gameplay scripting, CG supervision, pipeline/TD work) with proven people management or leadership experience.
• A portfolio or demo reel that demonstrates: High-quality visuals delivered within real-world performance constraints, Reducing complexity while achieving product goals, Systems thinking (e.g., reusable animation or interaction systems), Tooling that meaningfully improves team workflows, Prototyping savvy and end-to-end problem solving.
• Strong programming or scripting skills (e.g., Python, C++, or similar).
• Excellent communication skills, including fluency in design-to-engineering handoffs, and communicating technical constraints to non-technical partners.
• Experience operating in highly ambiguous environments and independently driving projects with cross-functional dependencies.
• Ability to work from or relocate to Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY.
Preferred:
• Experience creating interactive animation for mobile products at scale.
• Proficiency with Rive for building UI and designing complex user interactions.
• A strong motion and design sensibility across 3D or 2D animation pipelines (Maya, Blender, Houdini, or Toon Boom, etc.).
• Understanding of game design principles, especially for learning contexts.
• A passion for the craft and a care for their people.
Company:
Duolingo is a language-learning education platform that offers 98 total courses across nearly 40 distinct languages. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, USA, with a team of 501-1000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.