VP of Engineering | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

About Crystal

Crystal Intelligence is a blockchain analytics and compliance intelligence company serving exchanges, financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement across 100+ blockchains. Our customers depend on us for low-latency, high-availability risk and transaction intelligence that powers operational decisions.

Crystal is entering the most consequential platform shift in its history: a full migration from our current data architecture to a new, AI-native data pipeline that will define the company's next decade of scale, speed, and product capability. This is the role that owns it.

Role summary

Crystal's engineering organization has grown organically. The current architecture serves a large and loyal customer base, but it is reaching the limits of what feature-driven growth can sustain. In parallel, we have built a new data pipeline architecture led by a dedicated platform team.

The strategic priority for 2026 is to migrate Crystal end-to-end from the legacy stack to the new pipeline - without disrupting customer SLAs, while continuing to ship the product roadmap, and while rebuilding engineering management discipline. The VP of Engineering will own this migration.

The mission is concrete: deliver the new pipeline into production behind every Crystal product, restore platform-grade latency and reliability, and convert the existing organization into one that ships predictably and uses AI as a productivity multiplier.

What You’ll Do

Own the platform migration end-to-end

• Lead the integration of the new data pipeline into all Crystal products: Crystal Expert, Crystal Foresight, Monitor, Risk Check API, Data Intelligence, and Crystal Light

• Sequence the migration to preserve revenue and customer trust: no SLA regressions, no rollback drama, no surprise downtime

• Drive the architectural decisions and trade-offs that the legacy-to-new transition requires, including data model alignment, service-by-service cutover, and parallel-run validation

• Hold engineering, product, and customer success aligned on a single migration roadmap with clear customer-impact gates

Restore platform foundations

• Bring API and core platform latency back to target: 1,000 RPS at sub-two-second latency, scaling toward 10k RPS

• Reduce database load, fix stability regressions exposed by recent releases, raise release velocity to multiple deployments per week

• Lead the multi-chain platform with discipline across 100+ chains: predictable integration timelines, accountable squad ownership, clear SLAs to commercial partners

Rebuild the engineering management layer

• Partner with the existing engineering leadership to establish clear accountability across squad leads, engineering managers, and platform teams

• Set the standard for what good engineering management looks like at Crystal: predictable delivery, transparent planning, technical depth, people development

• Make the hiring, performance, and structural decisions required to bring the organization to the level the platform demands

Drive AI into engineering as a productivity lever

• Build shared infrastructure for AI-assisted engineering: code generation, automated testing, agent-based migration tooling, internal knowledge systems

• Move Crystal from individual AI tool usage to organization-wide AI productivity, with measurable impact on delivery throughput

• Reduce OpEx-to-revenue through architectural improvements, automation, and reduction of manual operational load

Partner with the business

• Work directly with product, GTM, customer success, and finance to translate engineering investments into customer outcomes and revenue

• Communicate trade-offs, risks, and progress clearly to the executive team and board

• Own the engineering budget, hiring plan, and vendor decisions

What Success Looks Like (12 Months)

• New data pipeline architecture is in production powering Crystal's core products

• Customer SLAs are met or exceeded throughout the migration; no customer churn attributable to platform instability

• Latency restored and improved; release cadence shifted from monthly to weekly or faster

• Engineering management layer operating with clear accountability and predictable delivery

• AI-assisted engineering infrastructure deployed and measurable productivity gains realized

• OpEx-to-revenue ratio meaningfully reduced toward target

Requirements

• 10+ years engineering experience, with 5+ years leading platform, data, or infrastructure organizations as VP Engineering, Head of Engineering, or equivalent

• Led at least one major platform migration or large-scale rebuild, with continuous customer service maintained throughout

• Operated low-latency, high-availability distributed systems with multi-tenant SaaS workloads at production scale

• Production experience integrating AI into engineering workflows, including agent-assisted development and AI-driven automation

• Strong product partnership instincts - you have shaped what gets built and how it ships

• Track record of building accountable, high-ownership engineering organizations

• Direct experience in one or more relevant domains: blockchain or crypto, fintech, payments, fraud or risk platforms, regulatory technology, or large-scale data platforms

Expert Career Tips for VP of Engineering Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a VP of Engineering, 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 VP of Engineering 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 Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, 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 VP of Engineering 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.