Overview
We are seeking a visionary and results-driven Head of Engineering to lead and scale our high-performing engineering organization. This is a critical leadership role that goes beyond management; you will be the driving force behind our technical vision, fostering a culture of innovation, and aligning our engineering roadmap directly with our business strategy. You will be a key member of the leadership team, working at the nexus of technology, product, and business to build a best-in-class engineering function that defines the future of our platform and accelerates our company's growth.
About grape: Our entrepreneurial spirit drives us in what we do and what we are passionate about. We aim to revolutionize the employee insurance industry by reducing monotonous work for employees, doctors, HR & payroll managers and putting employees first.
What you’ll do
* Leadership, Engineering Strategy & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Define and drive the company’s technical vision and roadmap in alignment with overall business objectives.
* Strategically balance short-term priorities with long-term initiatives to support sustainable growth and innovation.
* Represent the engineering organization within the leadership team, ensuring technical perspectives are integrated into company-wide decision-making.
* Foster cross-functional collaboration with product, design, marketing, and other departments to align on priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
* Support autonomous teams in designing scalable, secure, and high-quality software architectures.
* Product-first mindset: Oversee every stage of development, from brainstorming and prototyping to validation, testing and final production.
* Manage budgets and own the engineering team budget.
* Product Development & Delivery: Drive agile product delivery, helping teams to deliver incremental value to customers frequently.
* Collaborate with the product team and other (external) stakeholders to define the product strategy & roadmap.
* Support engineering teams with translating product roadmap into technical solutions.
* Team Management & Growth: Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration & personal growth.
* Drive efficiency, evaluate and refine existing workflows, tools and processes to boost productivity.
* Set clear, measurable goals, create engineering career development plans, and manage growth (performance & development).
* Proactively address performance challenges and resolve conflicts when necessary.
* Security & Compliance: Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (DSG) and ISO 27001 for the product and team’s processes; implement best practices in data protection, operational security, and risk management.
What you’ll need
* 8+ years of engineering experience, with at least 4+ years in leadership or team management within a scaleup environment.
* Proven track record of scaling engineering teams from 30 to 60+ engineers and beyond, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and high performance.
* A strategic mindset balancing short-term tactical needs with long-term innovation goals.
* Strong technical expertise in backend systems, architecture, and design; ability to oversee robust, scalable solutions.
* Deep understanding of agile methodologies and modern software delivery practices; demonstrated ability to drive high-velocity teams delivering continuous value.
* Product-first mindset with the ability to align engineering initiatives with product and business strategy.
* Adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic scaling tech company.
* Nice to have: Expertise in security and compliance, with hands-on experience implementing data privacy regulations (e.g., DSG, GDPR) and standards (ISO 27001, SOC 2).
* You are an ideal candidate if: You are a builder who scales technology from lean startup to mature, high-performing function; you solve real-world problems with technology to improve health and well-being; you communicate a technical vision to engineers and non-technical stakeholders; you empower your teams; you value quality, security, and operational excellence; you thrive in a dynamic environment and are ready to impact the business and customers.
What we offer in return
* Empowering workplace: Ownership, tools, and support to make decisions and take initiative; we grow and build innovative solutions together.
* Hybrid Setup: Flexible work schedule with remote or Zurich office option; team day on Thursdays in Zurich.
* Home Office Stipend: One-off CHF 200 budget to set up your home workspace.
* Internet Allowance: Monthly allowance to cover home internet costs.
* Flexible Working Time: Distribute your working hours as you prefer.
* Learning Budget: CHF 1,500 annual budget for skill development.
* Well-being: Mental health support and wellness discounts.
* Team Events & Retreats: Monthly events and biannual team retreats.
* Travel & Commute: SBB half-fare card coverage to support office visits.
* Paid Vacation: 5 weeks (25 days) plus 2 additional days for canton holidays and related occasions (27 days total).
* Wellness Budget: Flexible wellness budget.
* Parental & Adoptive Leave: Additional time off for family needs.
* Digital Nomad: For every 3 years of employment, option to work remotely from anywhere (subject to review).
Recruitment Process
We evaluate candidates across professional/technical skills, mindset, and values through the following steps:
* Step 1 — Your Motivation: 30-minute motivational interview with our Talent Acquisition Team.
* Step 2 — Technical Depth & Collaboration: Interview to assess technical depth and collaboration with engineering teams.
* Step 3 — Role Fit: Assessment of qualifications and role alignment with the Hiring Manager.
* Step 4 — Leadership: Evaluation of leadership skills, strategic vision, and fit for the role.
* Step 5 — Culture Connect: Insights into company culture and alignment with our ways of working; final interview explores broader fit and vision.
Our diverse experiences, perspectives, and voices make us the company we are, and we would love to learn more about you!
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