Director of Engineering

About iApartments

iApartments builds intelligent IoT and software platforms that power the next generation of smart apartment living. Our platform connects cloud services, mobile applications, and IoT devices—including thermostats, sensors, and access control systems—to deliver a seamless experience for residents and property operators.

Our platform integrates cloud-native software, mobile applications, and embedded IoT devices deployed across multifamily properties. We are transforming our engineering organization into an AI-first development environment where engineers collaborate with intelligent systems and autonomous coding agents to accelerate software delivery.

Role Overview

The Director of Engineering leads the engineering organization responsible for designing, building, and operating the iApartments platform.

This role combines technical leadership, organizational management, and platform strategy. The Director oversees multiple engineering teams responsible for backend services, IoT infrastructure, web applications, and mobile applications while driving architectural excellence and operational reliability.

A key responsibility is leading the company’s transition toward AI-augmented software development, including adoption of autonomous coding agents capable of planning, generating, testing, and improving production software.

Platform Environment

Our technology platform spans cloud infrastructure, applications, and connected IoT devices.

Cloud Platform

• AWS cloud-native architecture
• Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, Aurora, S3
• SNS/SQS, Step Functions
• ECS / EKS
• AWS IoT Core

Backend & Services

• Serverless backend services in .NET (C#)
• Automation and workflows in Python
• APIs and microservices implemented in Node.js

Applications

• Web applications built with Angular
• Mobile applications built with React Native

Infrastructure & DevOps

• CI/CD automation pipelines
• Infrastructure as Code using AWS CDK, CloudFormation, or Terraform
• Observability and monitoring across distributed systems

Embedded Systems & IoT Devices

• Embedded systems running Linux and FreeRTOS
• Device connectivity supporting Wi-Fi, Cellular, Z-Wave, and BLE
• Z-Wave and BLE smart home devices including:
• Smart locks
• Leak sensors
• Smart switches
• Smart thermostats and environmental monitoring devices
• Edge devices integrating sensor interfaces and wireless communication protocols

Device Ecosystem

The iApartments platform integrates with a wide range of connected devices deployed across multifamily properties.

Environmental & Climate Control

• Smart thermostats
• Temperature and humidity sensors

Safety & Monitoring

• Leak detection sensors
• Motion and occupancy sensors
• Fire prevention and stove auto-shutoff

Access Control

• Smart locks
• Entry access control systems

Automation

• Smart switches
• Smart plugs and automation controls

Devices communicate with the cloud using:

• Z-Wave
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Wi-Fi
• Cellular connectivity

Embedded platforms include:

• Embedded Linux
• FreeRTOS microcontrollers

The engineering organization is responsible for device lifecycle management, telemetry ingestion, OTA firmware updates, and large-scale device orchestration.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead and scale multiple engineering teams responsible for backend services, web applications, mobile applications, and IoT infrastructure.
• Mentor engineering managers, technical leads, and senior engineers.
• Build a high-performing engineering culture focused on innovation and technical excellence.

Architecture & Platform Strategy

• Define and guide architecture of cloud-native systems on AWS.
• Ensure systems follow AWS Well-Architected Framework principles.
• Lead development of scalable distributed systems supporting connected devices.

Delivery & Engineering Operations

• Oversee the full software development lifecycle.
• Implement strong engineering practices including:
• CI/CD pipelines
• Infrastructure as code
• DevOps automation
• Observability and monitoring
• Establish engineering metrics for reliability, performance, and productivity.

AI-First Development

• Integrate AI-powered development tools across the SDLC.
• Implement AI-assisted workflows for:
• architecture design
• code generation
• automated testing
• CI/CD optimization
• operational monitoring
• Lead development of autonomous coding agents capable of planning, generating, testing, debugging, and refining software.

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Partner with the CTO to define the platform roadmap.
• Evaluate emerging technologies across cloud, AI, and IoT.
• Ensure the platform scales with growth in customers and connected devices.

Scope of Responsibility

Engineering Organization

• Lead multiple engineering teams including backend, web, mobile, IoT platform, embedded firmware, and DevOps.
• Manage engineering managers, technical leads, and senior engineers.

Platform Scope

• Cloud-native SaaS platform serving property managers and residents.
• Connected IoT device platform managing large fleets of smart apartment devices.
• Web and mobile applications supporting resident and operator workflows.

Operational Accountability

• Platform reliability and uptime
• Engineering delivery velocity
• System scalability and performance
• Engineering productivity

Engineering Organization Structure

Engineering teams include:

Cloud Platform & Backend

• Microservices and APIs
• Device connectivity platform
• Data ingestion and processing
• Integration with external systems

Web Application Platform

• Administrative dashboards
• Device management interfaces
• Property management tools

Mobile Application Platform

• Resident mobile apps
• Smart lock access workflows
• Device interaction and notifications

IoT Platform & Device Connectivity

• Device onboarding and provisioning
• Telemetry pipelines
• Device health monitoring
• OTA firmware updates

Embedded Device Engineering

• Embedded firmware development
• Hardware integration and sensor calibration
• Device communication stacks
• Power management optimization

DevOps & Platform Reliability

• CI/CD pipelines
• Infrastructure automation
• Cloud monitoring and observability
• Security and operational reliability

AI Productivity Expectations

iApartments is transitioning toward an AI-first engineering organization.

The Director will lead adoption of AI-powered workflows including:

• AI-assisted backlog analysis and planning
• Architecture modeling and validation
• Code generation and refactoring
• Automated test generation
• Intelligent CI/CD optimization
• AI-driven monitoring and anomaly detection

The Director will also lead development and deployment of autonomous coding agents to accelerate engineering productivity.

Required Experience

• 10 years of software engineering experience
• 5 years in engineering leadership roles
• Strong experience building cloud-native systems on AWS
• Hands-on experience with:
• .NET / C#
• Python
• Node.js
• Experience designing distributed systems and microservices
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines
• Experience managing distributed engineering teams
• Strong leadership and communication skills

Preferred Experience

Cloud Platform

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect or DevOps certification
• Experience with DynamoDB, Aurora/RDS, Redshift
• Experience deploying workloads with EKS or ECS
• Experience implementing infrastructure-as-code

AI-First Development

• Experience integrating AI coding assistants (Claude, Copilot, Cursor, Bedrock)
• Experience with AI-driven testing and code review tools
• Familiarity with agentic development frameworks

IoT & Embedded Systems

• Experience designing and deploying IoT devices
• Experience with AWS IoT Core
• Embedded OS experience including Linux and FreeRTOS
• Sensor interfaces and calibration
• Embedded system development
• Embedded C/C programming
• Knowledge of wireless protocols including Z-Wave, Zigbee, LTE, BLE, Wi-Fi, and LoRaWAN

Success Metrics (First 12 Months)

Success will be measured by:

• Scaling the engineering organization
• Improving platform reliability and uptime
• Increasing engineering delivery velocity
• Deploying AI-assisted development workflows
• Delivering platform improvements supporting growth in connected devices and customers

Benefits

• 401(k) match
• Flexible PTO
• Health, Dental, Vision

Perks

• Company events and snacks
• Focus Fridays (no meetings after noon)