SVP, Head of Engineering (Blockchain)

Job Description

Echo Base is a private holding company pursuing special situation control investments in the digital assets space. Our global crypto team possesses deep experience in both the scaling of new ventures and the restructuring of complex assets with asymmetric risk profiles. Through lateral acquisitions, Echo Base seeks to leverage operational and technical synergies across our portfolio companies.

Job Overview:

Echo Base is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead and oversee multiple engineering teams in delivering high-quality, scalable, and secure solutions. This role requires a strong technical leader with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, implement efficient development processes, and deliver results in fast-paced environments.

In this role, you will collaborate with engineering leads, product managers, and stakeholders to ensure that Echo Base’s platform remains reliable, innovative, and customer-focused. You’ll play a key role in optimizing engineering processes, driving technical excellence, and building a culture of accountability and innovation across the organization.

This position is ideal for someone with experience in building complex systems, especially those involving blockchain, distributed architectures, or high-security environments.

What will you do:

• Lead and manage multiple development teams (Backend, Frontend, Mobile, Blockchain) to deliver innovative and user-friendly solutions.
• Collaborate with engineering leads to align development efforts with the product roadmap and company objectives.
• Oversee development projects requiring secure and scalable architectures, with a focus on user experience and reliability.
• Ensure adherence to Echo Base’s software development lifecycle (SDLC), including agile methodologies, Jira-based workflows, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Drive technical excellence by promoting best practices in architecture, coding, testing, and deployment.
• Work closely with DevOps to ensure infrastructure stability, scalability, and security across AWS, Kubernetes (EKS), and Terraform-managed environments.
• Foster a high-performing team by providing mentorship and building a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Monitor emerging technologies and trends to identify opportunities for enhancing Echo Base’s platform and services.

Who you are:

• Expertise in managing distributed systems, microservices, and scalable software architectures.
• Technical knowledge in blockchain-based systems, including wallet integrations and secure transaction processing.
• Proficiency in designing secure, high-performance systems that prioritize user safety.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and manage diverse, distributed teams.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on time while balancing quality and security.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a focus on achieving long-term goals.
• Experience with fraud detection, transaction monitoring, or risk management systems.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements in the cryptocurrency industry, such as AML/KYC standards.
• Hands-on experience with blockchain frameworks and libraries (e.g., Solana’s Anchor, Ethereum’s Web3.js).
• Familiarity with DeFi protocols or self-custody wallet designs, even if indirectly.
• Strong understanding of monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, Elastic Stack).
• Contributions to technical communities, open-source projects, or thought leadership in blockchain or fintech.

Interpersonal and Leadership skills:

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for collaborating with cross-functional teams and explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Leadership experience, including the ability to guide, mentor, and motivate junior developers.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to tackle complex issues and provide guidance to the team.
• Experience working in Agile development environments, participating in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Adaptability and a continuous learning mindset to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends, tools, and technologies.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback during code reviews and promote best practices and coding standards within the team.
• Empathy and patience to understand the challenges faced by junior developers and provide the necessary support and guidance for their growth and development.

What we are looking for:

• 8+ years of professional experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of managing large cross-functional engineering teams  in dynamic environments.
• Experience with blockchain technologies, including wallet systems, transaction processing, and secure architecture design.
• Proficiency in Echo Base’s core tech stack:
• Backend: PHP 7.4 (monolith), Python, Go, Java (microservices).
• Frontend: React & Laravel / Blade.
• Mobile Development: Native Android and iOS apps.
• Blockchain: Familiarity with UTXOs, multi-signature wallets, Lightning Network, and other blockchain-related technologies.
• Strong understanding of cloud-based infrastructure and tools (AWS, Kubernetes/EKS, Terraform, Vault).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and source code management using GitLab (self-hosted).
• Deep knowledge of secure software development practices, particularly in finance or blockchain systems.