Director of Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

Overview:

Nerdy is looking for an innovative and AI-native Director of Software Engineering to lead our engineering team. As the Director of Software Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in driving forward our mission of helping people learn by leading a dynamic team of software engineers who support our institutional business. You will be responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of cutting-edge educational technology solutions that enable schools and districts to provide high-quality, personalized learning experiences for students.

About Nerdy:

At Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY) - the company behind Varsity Tutors - we're redrawing the blueprint of learning. Our Live + AI™ platform fuses real-time human expertise with proprietary generative-AI systems, setting a new bar for measurable academic impact at global scale.

We recruit the kind of technologists and operators you'd bet on as solo founders - people who turn ambiguous problems into shipping code, iterate faster than markets move, and compound their advantage with every data point. In an era where great employees can deliver 10-times the leverage of the merely good, we back those who play to win.

Fortune favors the bold. Join us.

How we compete:

• AI-Native at every level From the CEO to day-one hires, everyone builds and ships with generative AI. If you're not wielding AI, you're not done.
• Entrepreneurial velocity Move at founder speed, prototype in hours, and measure in real user outcomes. Slow teams die.
• Free-market rigor Ideas rise or fall on merit and results - no committees, no politics, no cap on upside.
• Full-stack ownership You design, build, and run what you ship; accountability is a feature, not a bug.
• Reward for contribution Pay rises with impact, not years. Outstanding results earn outsized rewards. We evaluate both what you achieve and how you achieve it: living our leadership principles and using AI effectively are formally measured and rewarded.
• Relentless exploration Push the frontier of generative AI in live learning and - because only the paranoid survive - questioning every legacy assumption along the way.
• Is Apolitical You stay focused on mission-aligned outcomes, not distractions or unrelated causes.

If you're a technically minded builder who thrives on open competition, personal responsibility, and the chance to redefine how the world learns - while continually stretching the limits of what generative AI can do - come do the most ambitious and rewarding work of your career here. Learn more at nerdy.com.

• Q1-2025 Shareholder Letter
• Q4-2024 Shareholder Letter
• Q3-2024 Shareholder Letter

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience (8+ years) in software engineering leadership roles.
• Strong background in educational technology or related industries.
• Exceptional technical expertise in software development and architecture.
• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and modern development tools.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to manage teams and projects effectively.
• Visionary thinking with a focus on innovation.
• Experienced with AI-native tools that enhance productivity and speed (Cursor, Make.com, Supabase, Netlify, Claude Code, n8n, Firecrawl, ChatGPT, Grok, Bolt, Vercel, etc).

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic technical leadership, guiding the software engineering team in the design, development, and delivery of innovative learning technology solutions.
• Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of software engineers, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support needed to excel.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, and quality assurance, to drive the development and enhancement of our educational technology products.
• Develop and execute a technology roadmap that aligns with the company's vision, staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Establish and maintain high standards of software quality, overseeing testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and scalability of our products.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders,both internally and externally, to understand their needs and continuously improve our solutions.
• Drive a culture of innovation within the engineering team, encouraging the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance our products.

Unleash Your Potential at Nerdy:

At Nerdy, you'll earn your success through meritocracy and exceptional outcomes. Our benefits reward performance and initiative:

• Competitive Compensation & Advancement: Market-leading salary paired with clear promotion pathways and equity (RSUs) - become an owner in our success.

• Retirement Made Simple: 401(k) plan with company match and immediate vesting.

• A Remote-First Culture: We embrace flexibility across time zones and working styles to attract top talent and meet learners where they are.

• Flexible Time Off: Recharge on your terms, ensuring maximum productivity.

• Continuous Learning: Access an all-inclusive learning membership for you and your household, including 1:1 tutoring hours, unlimited on-demand classes, and our full suite of learning products and services.

• Supercharge with AI: Leverage cutting-edge AI tools to accelerate your workflow.

• You're Covered: Medical, dental, vision, life, STD & LTD plans plus strong maternity, paternity, and adoption leaves - numerous options for you and your family.

The Bottom Line:

If you're driven by impact, energized by ownership, and excited to help shape what's next, you'll thrive here. We move fast, think big, and reward those who deliver. This isn't a traditional corporate environment - it's a place to do the most meaningful work of your career.