Head of Engineering

About Tolstoy

Tolstoy is transforming how brands engage customers through interactive, shoppable video. Our platform powers global brands like Fenty, Mr. Beast, and The Ordinary, delivering personalized video-driven experiences to hundreds of millions of shoppers each month. We operate with speed and precision, tackling the most complex challenges in e-commerce, AI, and video.

We are an engineering company. Our ability to innovate and execute at the highest technical level will define our success. This is a role for someone who thrives in high-pressure, high-reward environments and wants to work on cutting-edge challenges that directly impact millions of users.

This role is not for those seeking comfort or ease. Tolstoy demands excellence, focus, and relentless execution. If you’re looking for a challenge that will push you to your limits and an opportunity to work on core systems impacting millions of users, this is it.

The Role: Head of Engineering

As Tolstoy’s Head of Engineering, you’ll lead from the front. You’ll architect the systems that scale our platform globally, drive high-stakes technical decisions, and push your team to deliver at a pace that sets a new industry standard. This is not a management-only role. You will challenge engineering timelines, dive into technical details, and ensure the team executes efficiently and effectively.

Your leadership will define the backbone of Tolstoy’s platform as we scale exponentially.

What You’ll Do:

• Technical Strategy & Execution: Own and drive Tolstoy’s engineering roadmap, from architecture to implementation. Make decisions that balance speed, scalability, and technical rigor.
• System Architecture: Design and evolve the platform to support real-time video interactivity, AI-driven personalization, and high-scale e-commerce integrations. Build systems capable of handling exponential growth.
• Hands-On Problem Solving: Get into the codebase when needed. Challenge assumptions, optimize performance, and identify solutions to the most complex technical challenges.
• Build a World-Class Team: Recruit and lead top-tier engineers who thrive in high-intensity environments. Ensure the team operates with focus, clarity, and discipline.
• Speed as a Feature: Push the team to ship faster without compromising quality. Continuously identify ways to optimize processes and systems for velocity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work directly with Product and Design teams to ensure engineering delivers business-critical features on time and at the highest standard.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven Leadership: 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams, preferably in high-growth startups or demanding technical environments.
• Technical Depth: Advanced expertise in React, Node.js, JavaScript, and AWS Cloud architecture. Experience in scaling systems to handle millions of users is essential.
• Execution-Oriented: You don’t just plan—you deliver. You know how to push teams and projects to completion under tight deadlines.
• Architectural Expertise: Deep understanding of building scalable, secure, and high-performance systems. You’ve solved complex problems in distributed systems, real-time interactions, or AI-driven products.
• Relentless Focus: You operate with precision and demand the same from your team. You prioritize what matters, eliminate distractions, and focus on execution.
• Intellectual Rigor: You think critically and challenge assumptions. You expect your team to justify decisions with data and sound reasoning.

Why Tolstoy?

Tolstoy is at the intersection of AI, video, and e-commerce. This is a rare opportunity to lead at a company solving technical challenges that will define the next generation of customer engagement. Your work will directly impact millions of users and help build the systems that power Tolstoy’s future.

If you’re ready to lead in a fast-moving, high-expectation environment and make an outsized impact, we want to hear from you.