Head of Engineering

Our client runs a technology\-enabled errands and delivery service built primarily around WhatsApp, designed to function effectively within Nigeria’s challenging operating landscape. They are seeking to hire Head of Engineering in Lagos. This role is not about building perfect systems, experimenting endlessly, or running process theatre. It exists to ship a working, stable MVP, impose execution discipline, and own delivery end\-to\-end.

Job Summary

The Head of Engineering exists to:

● Own technical execution from idea to production

● Convert ambiguous product intent into shippable systems

● Drive delivery discipline, predictability, and accountability

● Build systems that work reliably in real Nigerian operating conditions

● Remove the engineering execution load from the CEO entirely

Key Responsibilities

1. Engineering Execution & Delivery (Primary Accountability)

● Own what ships, when it ships, and why

● Break product scope into realistic, testable, shippable units

● Enforce delivery timelines and sprint commitments

● Eliminate “almost done” culture

● Identify execution risks early and resolve or escalate immediately

● Establish a culture where missed deadlines are explained, not excused

2. System Architecture & Technical Direction

Design and maintain pragmatic architecture for:

● WhatsApp Business API integrations

● Dispatch, assignment, and order lifecycle logic

● Wallets, payments, commissions, and settlements

● Admin, ops, and internal management tools

● Notifications, logging, and monitoring, etc

Guiding principles:

● Simplicity over elegance

● Reliability over novelty

● Speed over perfection

● All trade\-offs must be explicit and documented

3. Engineering Leadership & Accountability

● Lead, coach, and performance\-manage engineers

● Set and enforce standards for:

○ Code quality

○ Documentation

○ Ownership

○ Testing discipline

● Identify underperformance early and act decisively

● Build a culture of responsibility, not heroics

4. Cross\-Functional & Founder Partnership

● Partner closely with the Product Manager on scope and feasibility

● Push back firmly on:

○ Vague requirements

○ Scope creep

○ Unrealistic timelines

● Translate founder intent into executable technical plans

● Act as an execution buffer between the CEO and the engineering team

● Own delivery dependencies, sequencing, and escalation

Technical Stack & Competency Expectations

You will work primarily with the existing stack, improving only where it materially affects delivery or stability.

Expected exposure (fluency required, mastery in all not mandatory):

● Backend: Node.js and/or Python (API\-driven systems)

● Frontend: React or similar (admin dashboards, internal tools)

● Databases: PostgreSQL / MySQL / NoSQL

● Integrations:

○ WhatsApp Business API

○ Payment gateways and wallet systems

○ Mapping and geolocation services

● Cloud: Azure, AWS, GCP, or equivalent

● DevOps: CI/CD pipelines, version control, deployments

Tool choice matters less than delivery competence.

Required Experience 

● 8+ years of professional software engineering experience

● 3+ years leading engineering teams (5–15 engineers)

● Proven record of shipping at least one messy, real MVP

● Prior experience in one or more of:

○ Marketplaces

○ Logistics

○ Fintech

○ Payments

● Strong system\-level thinking

● Calm, decisive leadership 

● Comfortable saying “no” to the CEO with logic and data

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