Deputy Head of Engineering (Node.js / Next.js)

About us Ruby Labs is a leading tech company that creates and operates innovative consumer products. We offer a diverse range of opportunities across the health, education, and entertainment industries. Our innovative teams are driving the future of consumer-led products, and we're always looking for passionate individuals to join us. Learn more about our story at: https://rubylabs.com/about-us/ About the role We are looking for a Deputy Head of Engineering who will act as a technical guardian and a right hand to the Head of Engineering. You won't just be managing people; you will be the key person responsible for the architectural integrity, security, and technical excellence of our projects. Your role is to bridge the gap between high-level engineering strategy and day-to-day execution. Our Tech Stack: • Core: Node.js, Next.js, TypeScript. • Infrastructure: Cloudflare, AWS (RDS, compute, networking). • Databases & ORM: Postgres, Supabase, Drizzle, Prisma. • Analytics & Growth: Growthbook (A/B testing), Mixpanel, Google Analytics, GTM. • Innovation: AI integration & MCP (Model Context Protocol). Key Responsibilities • Architectural Guardrails: Ensuring all projects strictly follow the established company architecture. You will be the one to approve architectural changes and ensure long-term scalability. • Rigorous Code Review: Maintaining a high bar for code quality across teams. You will identify bottlenecks, potential bugs, and ensure that every PR aligns with our best practices. • Project Bootstrapping: Hands-on involvement in the deployment and configuration of new projects, ensuring they are set up correctly from Day 1 (CI/CD, environment variables, hosting). • Security & Compliance: Implementing and overseeing security measures at both the code level and hosting level (WAF configuration, secure headers, data encryption). • Innovation & AI Adoption: Leading the implementation of new technologies, specifically focusing on AI-driven workflows and MCP to enhance developer productivity. • Growth Engineering: Managing technical aspects of A/B testing via Growthbook and ensuring accurate data tracking through Mixpanel and GTM. • Technical Leadership & Hiring: Conducting technical interviews to scale the team and mentoring developers to help them meet company standards. • Continuous Improvement: Proactively identifying outdated practices and replacing them with modern, more efficient workflows. Qualifications • Node.js & Next.js Expert: 3+ years of intensive experience with the stack. You should be able to solve complex SSR/ISR issues and optimize performance. • Proven Leadership: 3+ years of experience managing engineering teams. You know how to motivate, give feedback, and handle conflicts. • Infrastructure & DevOps: Solid experience with AWS and Cloudflare. You understand how to configure CI/CD pipelines and manage cloud resources efficiently. • Database Mastery: Deep understanding of Postgres and experience with modern ORMs like Drizzle or Prisma (migrations, query optimization). • Analytical Mindset: Proficiency in setting up and interpreting data from Mixpanel and Google Analytics; experience running systematic A/B tests. • Security First: Strong knowledge of web security principles (OWASP, WAF, hosting-level protection). • Communication & Resilience: Ability to communicate clearly with both technical teams and stakeholders while maintaining focus in a fast-paced environment. Nice to have • MCP Knowledge: Practical experience with Model Context Protocol to build or optimize AI-assisted development tools. • Performance Tuning: Experience in fine-tuning Web Vitals and optimizing backend latency for high-traffic applications. • Advanced AI Integration: Experience building custom AI agents or complex RAG systems. Location Ruby Labs operates within the CET (Central European Time) zone. Applicants from any country are welcome to apply for the position as long as they are located within approximately ± 4 hours of CET. This ensures optimal collaboration and communication during working hours. Benefits Discover the perks of being part of our vibrant team! We offer: • Remote Work Environment: Embrace the freedom to work from anywhere, anytime, promoting a healthy work-life balance. • Unlimited PTO: Enjoy unlimited paid time off to recharge and prioritize your well-being, without counting days. • Paid National Holidays: Celebrate and relax on national holidays with paid time off to unwind and recharge. • Company-provided MacBook: Experience seamless productivity with top-notch Apple MacBooks provided to all employees who need them. • Flexible Independent Contractor Agreement: Unlock the benefits of flexibility, autonomy, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Benefit from tax advantages, networking opportunities, reduced employment obligations, and the freedom to work from anywhere. Read more about it here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tzxGX4Uu7Ts_HCLFXESKLnKaaBfVCPf1