Director of Engineering (m/f/d) | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Berlin
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

At Superchat, we're rebuilding how businesses talk to their customers. The phone call, the contact form, the support ticket: all of it is being replaced by messaging and AI. We're building the platform that runs underneath.

Founded in 2020, Superchat has become the platform of choice for 10,000+ businesses worldwide, from globally recognized brands like Allianz, Auto1, Enpal, Danone, and GASAG to the small businesses, dental practices, and one-person startups that need to look bigger than they are. Today, millions of messages flow through Superchat every single day.

We started as a unified inbox: one place for every channel a customer might pick, WhatsApp, email, SMS, Instagram. Then ChatGPT happened, and the second chapter began: AI agents that respond across chat, email, and voice at the quality of the best human teams.

We're 100 people, profitable, and have raised €18M in funding (last round 4.5 years ago, we've been growing on our own money since). Headquartered in Berlin.

We're hiring a Director of Engineering to take operational leadership of our Engineering organization. You'll partner with the CTO on strategy, own people leadership across all engineering squads, and build the structures that let us scale.

Who We Want

Experienced engineering leader.

You bring 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams in B2B SaaS or product-led companies.

Seen scale before.

You have a track record of stewarding a team through a scaling phase and seeing the breakpoints first-hand.

Technically credible.

You come from a strong technical background (former Senior+/Staff level), read code comfortably, and can follow and contribute to technical architecture discussions.

Builder of strong engineering systems.

You have built career frameworks, calibration systems, and performance management processes - and run them with consistency and discipline.

Clear communicator and strategic operator.

You are a strong communicator who turns strategy into clear quarterly objectives and actionable plans for teams.

High standards, low ego.

You combine high standards with a low-ego, builder mentality and lead by example rather than hierarchy.

Structured, calm, and execution-focused.

You know how to scale execution quality and operational discipline without slowing teams dow

Who We Don’t Want

Hands-on architect first.

You still want to spend 30%+ of your time coding or personally owning architecture decisions instead of scaling teams and engineering execution.

Needs a large support structure.

You rely heavily on fully built HR or people operations structures to manage performance, hiring, and team development.

First-time engineering manager.

You are entering engineering leadership for the first time and have not yet experienced scaling teams and organizations firsthand.

Your Day To Day

• You run regular 1:1s with Engineering Managers and select senior engineers to support growth, alignment, and execution
• You lead growth conversations, performance reviews, and calibration sessions across the engineering organization
• You own key parts of the hiring process - from interviewing and org design to closing strong candidates
• You sponsor and prioritize tech debt reduction and long-term architectural investments together with engineering leadership
• You review squad delivery progress, surface blockers early, and maintain a high quality bar across teams
• You work closely with the CTO on org design, hiring strategy, and headcount planning
• You coordinate roadmap priorities and engineering capacity planning together with the CPO

Stakeholders

CTO: Your manager and closest partner on strategy and org design
CPO: Counterpart on the Product side
Engineering Managers: Your direct reports
People Ops: Partner on compensation and hiring processes

Why People Choose Us

Mission that matters. Real impact on small businesses, not abstract metrics

Executive-level ownership. Opportunity to shape and scale the engineering organization during a critical growth phase

Funded with conviction. $16.5M raised with a strong trajectory toward profitability

Modern stack. Kotlin/Quarkus, AWS, TypeScript/React/Next.js, LangGraph for AI - with intentionally low tech debt for our stage

High-impact leadership scope. Influence engineering strategy, org design, execution quality, and cross-functional collaboration end-to-end

Berlin office in Prenzlauer Berg. Hybrid setup with 2 work-from-home days, team events, and fully stocked office

Squad-based organization. Each squad owns its domain end-to-end with strong accountability and autonomy

PMs report to the CPO, not Engineering. Product strategy stays focused, consistent, and clearly prioritized

Engineers own technical decisions. Directors and EMs challenge, support, and sponsor decisions — but do not override engineering judgment

Hybrid by design. Our Berlin office is the center of gravity, with 2 WFH days as the standard setup

Direct feedback culture. Transparent, respectful, and candid communication across all levels of the organization

Two career tracks. Clear long-term growth paths for both ICs (Junior → Staff) and Engineering Managers, with explicit reversibility between tracks

Benefits & Culture

• Choose between an Urban Sports Club/John Reed membership or a public transport/Dance subscription
• Regular company and team events
• Annual personal development budget of €500 for conferences, courses, books, career coaching, and more
• An inclusive and exciting startup culture that enables fast professional and personal growth
• Beautiful office in the heart of Berlin (Prenzlauer Allee 242) with free snacks, drinks, and top-notch equipment

We want to build a community, not just a company.

It’s important to us to create an environment where people genuinely enjoy spending time together - whether that’s through HYROX training, golfing, beer pong tournaments, running clubs, Warhammer, weekend activities, or whatever kind of community you’d like to help build here!

We're looking for people with passion, grit, and integrity. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the description. At Superchat, we welcome diverse perspectives and people who think rigorously.

Relocating to Berlin? We support you with practical relocation help. You'll feel home in no time.

We look forward to your application!

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Expert Career Tips for Director of Engineering (m/f/d) Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Director of Engineering (m/f/d), you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Director of Engineering (m/f/d) requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Berlin and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Berlin, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Director of Engineering (m/f/d) position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.