Head of Engineering (Founding Role) – Smart Sail
Location: Remote (U.S. or global)
Commitment: Full-time or part-time leading to full-time
Equity: Yes
Salary: Flexible based on stage and funding
Website: smartsail.ai
**Who We Are**
Smart Sail is a next-generation marine navigation app inspired by the
precision and user experience of aviation tools like ForeFlight. We’re
building a platform that blends real-time weather overlays, AI-powered
routing, and a clean, intuitive UI to change how boaters plan, sail, and
explore.
We’ve already secured early traction, support from pro navigators, and
interest from pre-seed investors — now we’re looking for a technical leader to
help us bring the MVP to life.
**The Role**
As our Head of Engineering, you’ll lead the charge on building and scaling
Smart Sail’s platform. You’ll write code, shape architecture, and direct
third-party developers — all while keeping our user needs and product goals
front and center.
This is a ground-floor opportunity to help design, develop, and grow something
with global reach and real impact on how people interact with the ocean.
**What You’ll Do**
Own technical architecture and development strategy for Smart Sail
Build early MVP features (iOS, cross-platform, or web as appropriate)
Oversee and review code quality from external dev teams
Help integrate APIs (e.g. Windy, NOAA, AIS) and mapping tools
Translate business needs into dev milestones and infrastructure
Make build vs. buy decisions across our product lifecycle
Be a key voice in shaping product direction and company culture
**You Might Be a Fit If You:**
Have experience with mobile app development (Swift, Flutter, .NET MAUI, or
React Native)
Have shipped products — solo or as part of a team — in a startup environment
Know how to manage outsourced teams or freelance devs
Care about clean UX and performance just as much as backend logic
Thrive on autonomy and love owning something from scratch
(Bonus) Have experience with mapping software, marine tech, or GIS data
**Tech Stack (Flexible)**
We’re still early, but expect to work with:
Swift or cross-platform tools (.NET MAUI, Flutter, React Native)
MapLibre, NOAA charts, Windy API, and similar tools
Firebase or a lightweight backend
GitHub + Notion + Figma
**Ideal Qualifications**
Full-stack or mobile-first development experience
(Ideally with Swift or cross-platform frameworks like .NET MAUI, Flutter, or
React Native)
Experience managing outsourced dev teams
(Can evaluate code quality, manage deadlines, and translate business goals to
technical tasks)
Strong product intuition
(Understands MVP mindset, user feedback loops, lean iteration)
Bonus: maritime tech, GIS, or mapping experience
(Not required, but familiarity with APIs like Windy, NOAA, or AIS is a plus)
Comfort with early-stage ambiguity
(This is crucial — the right person needs to love figuring things out, not
waiting for formal processes)
**Compensation & Equity**
This is a founding team role, and we’re looking for someone who shares our
long-term vision. While the starting salary is modest given our early stage,
we’re offering meaningful equity (1.5%) in the company, with standard 4-year
vesting and a 1-year cliff.
As we secure investment, salaries will scale accordingly — but we want someone
who’s in it for more than just a paycheck. If you’re excited by building
something from the ground up and sharing in its success, this is your chance
to get in early and grow with us.
Apply or reach out directly:
📧 [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])