At Critical Start, we’re on a mission to make everyone a valued member of a winning team, united by an inspiring purpose: shaping the future of cybersecurity. Since 2012, we’ve been dedicated to safeguarding organizations from cyberattacks, preparing for evolving threats, and earning recognition for our innovative contributions to the industry.

We thrive in an agile, collaborative environment that fosters creativity and action. At Critical Start, innovation drives everything we do. We pioneered the first MOBILESOC app for on-the-go threat detection and response, automated alert resolutions to maximize efficiency, and cut alert investigation time by 99.3% - transforming the way cybersecurity teams work. Our team and customers genuinely value the impact we make every day.

Want to hear more from our team? Watch this video to gain insights into life at Critical Start or check out our Glassdoor reviews for an inside look.

What can we offer you?

• A chance to make an impact every day—whether protecting customers or contributing to a greater mission.
• Collaboration with talented, supportive teammates who value accountability and growth.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, striving for excellence, and breaking past mediocrity.
• A culture of learning, innovation, and inclusivity, where every idea matters.
• Recognition for being at the forefront of the industry—we’ve received accolades that prove we’re doing something right.
• A supportive environment where you belong and your contributions truly matter, as one team member put it: “Every day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth, and the culture is unlike any other.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join the Critical Start Technologies Private Ltd. team, operating under the Critical Start umbrella, for our India operations. This would be in a dual role as VP of Engineering and Site Leader at our Center of Excellence (CoE) in Pune, India. This strategic role provides technical leadership for our End User Experiences and Security Engineering initiatives while overseeing overall site management responsibilities. This role will be reporting to the Sr. VP of Engineering for the technical and engineering aspects, and the Chief Product Officer for site operations. This position will play a key role in advancing our engineering capabilities and fostering operational excellence across our India operations.

Engineering Leadership

• Inspire and guide engineering teams to drive innovation and maintain high performance.
• Translate product vision into actionable strategies through effective planning and execution.
• Champion Agile best practices and contribute to technical engineering designs.
• Oversee technical training programs and uphold high coding standards.
• Develop and track key engineering performance metrics to ensure project success and team growth.
• Lead technical architecture decisions for cloud-based SaaS solutions.
• Collaborate with product architects and engineers to address complex software engineering challenges.

Site Leadership & Operations

• Lead, oversee, and scale the Pune office to 100+ employees across Engineering, Product, Customer Success, Technical Support, Marketing, HR, and IT functions.
• Develop and execute a long-term strategy for the India center.
• Manage day-to-day site operations, including overseeing night shifts for customer support.
• Design and implement organizational structures to support business growth.
• Partner with global leadership to ensure alignment with company-wide strategy.

Strategic Partnership & Collaboration

• Work directly with C-level executives to drive strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the Chief Product Officer, SVP of Engineering, and Chief Customer Officer to shape product strategy.
• Collaborate with the Chief People Officer and Chief Financial Officer on general and administrative (G&A) management.
• Foster strong cross-functional and cross-regional collaboration.
• Ensure seamless integration between India and global operations.

Talent & Culture

• Attract, retain, and develop top talent across all functions.
• Actively engage in recruitment, mentorship, and leadership development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of creativity, agility, and continuous innovation.
• Promote and uphold the company’s values to create an inclusive and collaborative workplace.
• Build and nurture a high-performing, globally integrated team.

Resource Management

• Oversee department goals and ensure timely execution of key initiatives.
• Manage budgets, including training, travel, team engagement, contractor expenses, and compensation.
• Optimize resource allocation to drive efficiency and scalability.
• Continuously improve operational processes for enhanced productivity.

This role provides a unique opportunity to drive the future of our organization by leveraging technical innovation and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical foundation and outstanding leadership skills to foster growth, collaboration, and success across all aspects of our India operations

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• 18+ years of experience leading software engineering teams.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• 5+ years of experience leading teams in cybersecurity.
• 8+ years of experience in building SaaS cloud-based solutions.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams utilizing Agile methodologies.
• Strong full-stack development background (5+ years).
• Proficiency in JavaScript, CSS, and modern UI frameworks such as React, Vue.js, or Angular.
• Experience with Python and AWS.
• In-depth knowledge of software development methodologies.
• Expertise in designing and architecting cloud-based SaaS solutions.
• Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams across multiple functions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to foster collaboration and alignment
• Experience working in multinational organizations, navigating cross-cultural dynamics
• Strategic mindset with strong operational execution capabilities
• Positive and collaborative leadership style, fostering teamwork and innovation
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling organizations for long-term growth

Desired Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field preferred.
• Experience leading engineering teams utilizing SAFe methodologies.

Imagine a dynamic, enjoyable, and rewarding work environment. We are professionals, and the work we do holds immense significance, like saving our customers from potential disasters. However, we believe in not taking ourselves too seriously. 

Prefer a casual dress code every day? No problem, as we find comfort enhances our thinking. 

What does our Compensation and Benefits package entail? 

• Competitive salary  
• Statuary PTO (Paid Time Off) policy 
• Depending on the role, you may work in the office, remotely, or adopt a hybrid work model.  

We prioritize your privacy and security. Please note that Critical Start will never request financial information or sensitive personal data during the interview process. If you encounter any suspicious requests, do not respond and contact us directly at recruiting@criticalstart.com. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and trustworthy hiring experience.

Critical Start welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life. One of our core values is to “Do what’s best for our employees,” and that starts with the hiring process by finding the best candidates and providing an environment that upholds equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants, strictly prohibiting any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

This policy encompasses all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. 

Mental and Physical Requirements 

It's important to note that specific physical and mental requirements may vary depending on the nature of the office job, organization, and individual responsibilities. 

Physical:  

• Stationary position for extended periods of time. 
• Constantly operate a computer.  
• Occasionally you may be required to move equipment or other items up to 20 lbs. 
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. 

Mental:  

• Must be able to apply established protocols in a timely manner. 
• Make timely decisions in the context of workflow. 
• Ability to complete tasks and perform in situations requiring speed deadlines, or productivity quota. 
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in high stress situations. 
• Ability to simultaneously address multiple complex problems. 

How to Apply:  

Interested candidates are invited to visit our career site and apply for the position: https://www.criticalstart.com/careers/