Engineering Lead - Government

Company Overview

Promise modernizes how government agencies and utilities support people in financial difficulty. We build technology that makes it simple for residents to receive benefits, engage with assistance programs, set up flexible payment plans, and stay on track—while helping agencies increase efficiency, recover revenue, and deliver services with dignity. Our mission is to transform public systems so they work better for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

Our team includes experts from companies like Palantir, Google, Stripe , and esteemed government leaders. We work hard and believe deeply in what we do. We're looking for excellent people to build innovative, resilient technology.

Backed by over $50 million in funding from top investors – such as Reid Hoffman, Howard Schultz, Michael Seibel, Y Combinator, 8VC, The General Partnership, First Round Capital, Kapor Capital, XYZ Ventures, and Bronze Investments – Promise has been recognized as one of Fast Company's "World's Most Innovative Companies of 2022,” “Forbes Next Billion-Dollar Startups 2024,” and Y Combinator’s #1 GovTech startup.

About the Role

At Promise, we’re reimagining how government relief reaches the people who need it most. As an Engineering Lead, you’ll guide the engineering efforts behind our government products—mission-critical systems that help families access support with dignity and speed.

Reporting directly to the CTO, you’ll shape technical strategy, lead a team of engineers, and ensure we’re delivering against both immediate business goals and long-term platform sustainability. This is a role for a builder-leader: someone equally comfortable setting direction, rolling up their sleeves when needed, and inspiring teams to deliver transformative outcomes.

What You’ll Do

• Set strategy & execute: Develop and deliver engineering strategies for Relief and Income Verification products, balancing business priorities with long-term platform scalability.

• Lead & mentor: Grow, guide, and support a high-performing engineering team, fostering innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Drive cross-functional impact: Translate business objectives into scalable, reliable technical solutions in partnership with product, design, and operations.

• Raise the bar: Establish best practices that improve speed, quality, and sustainability of engineering delivery.

• Stay ahead: Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies to enhance performance, reliability, and user outcomes.

What Will Help You Succeed

• Leadership experience: 5+ years managing engineering teams, with a mix of strategic leadership and hands-on management.

• Proven delivery: A track record of successfully aligning technical initiatives with company objectives and shipping meaningful products.

• Adaptability: Experience leading in both startup and established tech environments.

• Mission focus: Passion for building systems that deliver equitable, large-scale impact; government tech experience is a plus.

• People-first leadership: Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to inspire and mobilize diverse teams.

Who Thrives at Promise

You’ll love it here if:

• You are energized by big, complex challenges and the opportunity to solve them.

• You want your work to have a real, measurable impact on people’s lives.

• You take ownership and run toward problems, not away from them.

• You value clear, candid, and constructive communication.

Promise is not for you if:

• You prefer hierarchy and rigid structures. We operate with freedom and responsibility.

• You are uncomfortable with change. We move fast, adapt often, and expect agility.

• You want a typical corporate culture. We are mission-driven, ambitious, and direct.

• You believe efficiency means “doing less.” We believe efficiency means doing better.

Company Benefits

• 100% paid health coverage

• Generous PTO and sick leave

• Lunch, snacks, and coffee provided

• Company retreats

• Opportunities to travel and see the impact of your work

• Hybrid work: we deeply value in-person collaboration and are in-office at least 3 days a week, but are flexible on working from home

Promise is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status. Additionally, the Company complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates. Promise is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, pregnant individuals, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable laws.

Promise engages in US government contracts and restricts hiring to US persons, which includes US citizens and permanent residents (e.g., Green Card holders). Additionally, candidates must reside in the US.