EXCEL CONSULTANTS

Compensation

Full Description

Lead Open Source Engineer (Node.js, TypeScript) Location: Los Angeles (onsite preferred) | Remote considered Comp: $220K–$260K base Seniority: 8–10+ years INDUSTRY: AI, Devtools, Enterprise, API SDK, B2B - Client builds the embedded integration infrastructure that powers customer-facing integrations for hundreds of B2B SaaS products. They help engineering teams build integrations 7x faster than in-house across dozens of categories. Role Snapshot This is a Lead Open Source Engineer role where you''ll shape client''s open-source strategy from the ground up and have significant influence over technical direction and long-term platform decisions. Senior‑level technical leader to own open‑source readiness, strategy, and commercialization for a high‑scale integrations platform used by Zendesk, Postman, and Pipedrive (billions of requests/month). This role is 70% hands‑on IC / 30% strategy. You’ll help shape what becomes open source, how it’s released, and how it’s commercialized. Reports directly to the CTO. What You’ll Own • Guide core platform components toward open‑source readiness • Define standards for code quality, docs, testing, releases • Own API/SDK design, versioning, compatibility, and migrations • Design OSS contribution, governance, and review models • Define boundaries between open‑source vs. enterprise features • Act as internal expert on open‑source strategy & tradeoffs • Represent the company externally via writing, talks, and technical content Must‑Have Experience (Non‑Negotiable) • 8–10+ years senior software engineering experience • Deep production experience with Node.js + TypeScript • Worked at a company that built and commercially distributed open source • or maintained a widely‑used OSS project • Built platforms, frameworks, or developer tooling • Strong experience with API / SDK design and long‑term compatibility • Excellent written and verbal communication • Public technical presence (writing, talks, OSS visibility) Strong Signals • Titles such as Staff, Principal, Lead, Director of Open Source • Experience commercializing OSS and building community around it • Opinionated but pragmatic about open‑source strategy • Comfortable setting direction in 0→1, ambiguous environments • Strong self‑starter; asks the right questions without hand‑holding Seniority 6+ years of experience as a senior-​level software engineer with hands-​on experience building or maintaining open source projects.​ Work experience Has worked at a company that builds and distributes open source software (ideally commercially),​ or has independently maintained a widely-​used open source project.​ Has had hands-​on experience building platforms,​ frameworks,​ or dev tooling.​ Has held a position as a senior,​ principal,​ director,​ or staff-​level engineer.​ Hard skills Deep production experience with Node.​js / TypeScript.​ Strong experience with API/SDK design,​ versioning,​ and compatibility.​ Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documentation and public-​facing content.​ Has a public technical presence (writing,​ talks,​ conference speaking).​ Hard No’s (Not Qualified) • OSS consumers only (no ownership or stewardship) • Customer Success / non‑engineering OSS roles • Job hopping (multiple roles <14 months) • Low‑communication or poor public presence • Uncomfortable with ambiguity or strategic ownership • Uncomfortable defining strategy in ambiguous,​ zero-​to-​one environments.​ Interview Process (Fast) • Quick, informal Teams meeting with Excel • Screen call • Two technical interviews • Take‑home exercise • Onsite meeting Can be completed in ~4 days Submission Rule We can only submit candidates with direct OSS ownership + commercialization exposure and strong communication skills.