roles
Head of Engineering
Primary Role:
Top engineering leader (often in startup)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Final say on technical direction
Stratigic Planning
Owns engineering strategy
Team Management:
Manages EMs/Directors
Meeting Involvment:
Executive team member
Project Management:
Oversees full engineering roadmap
Communication:
Board/investor communication
Professional Development:
→ VP / CTO
Principal Architect / Software Architect
Primary Role:
Defines large-scale system architecture and standards
Reporting Relations:
Reports to Director/VP
Decision Making Authority:
Sets architectural patterns and standards
Stratigic Planning
Long-term platform planning
Team Management:
None
Meeting Involvment:
Architecture councils + exec reviews
Project Management:
Oversees platform evolution
Communication:
Senior technical communication
Professional Development:
→ Distinguished Engineer
Startup Chief of Staff
Primary Role:
Strategic partner and advisor, aligning and executing organizational goals
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO, with a broader reporting structure
Decision Making Authority:
Significant, delegated authority for executive decisions
Stratigic Planning
Active in development and execution of strategic plans
Team Management:
Manages cross-functional teams and projects
Meeting Involvment:
Actively participating, presenting, and driving decisions
Project Management:
Oversees large, complex projects impacting the organization
Communication:
Represents the executive internally and externally
Professional Development:
Broadens strategic leadership and management skills