Engineering Director, Backend
This is a pivotal leadership role at one of the world's leading privacy companies, offering the rare chance to manage a large-scale backend team without the constraints of geographic pay benchmarking. It combines deep technical oversight with high-level strategic influence in a profitable, mission-driven environment. Ideal for a veteran leader who values autonomy and wants to build a more private internet.
DuckDuckGo
Paoli, Pennsylvania, United States · Posted 25 April 2026
The role
Overview
The hiring side
About DuckDuckGo
DuckDuckGo is a mid-sized employer working in internet & privacy, based in Paoli, Pennsylvania, United States.
Internet & Privacy
Medium
Paoli, Pennsylvania, United States
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Research DuckDuckGoWhat they need
Requirements & Skills
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and scale a backend engineering department of 30+ people
- Mentor and coach engineering managers to handle increased complexity
- Align technical roadmaps with core company objectives and priorities
- Make critical decisions on complex, cross-team global projects
- Utilize data and machine learning insights to improve product performance
- Foster a culture of ownership, trust, and high accountability
Essential
- Minimum of 10 years of professional software engineering experience
- At least 4 years in a formal engineering leadership capacity
- Proven experience managing other engineering managers (managing managers)
- Expert-level proficiency in backend systems architecture
- Hands-on technical capability with the ability to 'get into the weeds' when necessary
- Experience setting and executing multi-project roadmaps aligned with business goals
- Demonstrated track record of evolving team processes during organizational scaling
- Strong background in driving hiring decisions and talent development
Preferred
- Experience with privacy-centric product development
- Background in search engine technology or advertising systems
- Experience working in a fully remote, distributed environment
- Strong public advocacy for digital privacy rights
Key Skills
Networking
People to Know
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Perks
Benefits & perks
- Identical compensation regardless of geographic location
- Stock options
- Transparent salary tiers across the organization
- Paid parental leave
- Home office setup allowance
- Co-working space allowances
- Remote-first work flexibility
- Professional development support
Next step
Apply now
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