Director of Engineering, Analytics Platform & Products

About the Role

The role entails leading through Engineering Managers and partnering with Principal Engineers to set technical direction and support key architectural decisions. You will be responsible for guiding the roadmap across instrumentation, data foundations, and data products, strengthening the architecture that supports multiple deployment models, and helping scale the organization as Gitlab continues to invest in new analytics capabilities.

As the leader of the Analytics engineering organization, you will have broad scope across data platforms, product analytics, and distributed systems, with clear ownership for team health, technical direction, and delivery. Your success will be measured through roadmap delivery, service reliability, and organizational effectiveness, making this a challenging yet rewarding role for the right candidate.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Analytics engineering organization with accountability for strategy, architecture, execution, and team health.
• Guide Engineering Managers and partner with Principal Engineers to set technical direction and support key architectural decisions.
• Define the roadmap for analytics capabilities across instrumentation, data foundations, and customer-facing data products.
• Oversee the design and operation of end-to-end data pipelines, including instrumentation, ingestion, transformation, storage, serving, and product integration.
• Drive platform and architecture decisions that support Gitlab's SaaS, self-managed, and regulated or isolated deployment environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Product, Data, and AI to ensure alignment and effective delivery of analytics capabilities.
• Develop and manage the engineering budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning within the engineering team.
• Ensure the highest levels of service reliability, data quality, freshness, latency, and security.

What We Are Looking For

• A seasoned engineering leader with experience in managing large-scale data platforms and analytics ecosystems.
• Strong technical background in software development, data engineering, or a related field, with the ability to dive deep into technical issues.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing engineering teams, with a focus on talent development and growth.
• Experience with cloud-based technologies and distributed systems, particularly in a SaaS environment.
• Strong understanding of data governance, security, and compliance, with the ability to ensure high standards across the analytics platform.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies and version control systems such as Git.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues and develop creative solutions.

Nice to Have

• Experience with machine learning or artificial intelligence, particularly in the context of software development and analytics.
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and the ability to integrate security into the development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2, and experience in ensuring compliance in a cloud-based environment.
• Experience with containers and container orchestration using Kubernetes.
• Certification in data engineering, software development, or a related field.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and equity package.
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Flexible PTO policy, allowing you to take the time you need to recharge.
• Remote work stipend to support your home office setup.
• Access to the latest technologies and tools, with a budget for professional development.
• Opportunity to work with a talented team of professionals who are passionate about innovation and software development.
• Participation in Gitlab's employee stock purchase plan.
• Access to mental health support and resources.
• Paid parental leave and family care benefits.

• Tip: Highlight your experience with cloud-based technologies and distributed systems, particularly in a SaaS environment, as this is a key aspect of the role.
• To stand out, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you have led high-performing engineering teams and driven technical direction in previous roles.
• Ensure your resume and online profiles (such as LinkedIn) are up-to-date and highlight relevant skills and experiences, such as data governance and compliance.
• Prepare to back your claims with data: Be ready to provide specific metrics on how you've improved service reliability, data quality, or team performance in previous positions.
• Research Gitlab's culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your own values and approach to leadership align with theirs.
• Consider reaching out to current or former Gitlab employees for insights into the company culture and what makes a successful candidate.