LA tech has no shortage of open positions at the moment. But identifying what exactly a given startup seeks, when there are 40-50 bullet points per page, can be daunting for even the most qualified employee.
Because of this, we decided to ask four local tech companies to explain exactly what they’re looking for in candidates — in plain English. Here’s what they told us:
Headquartered in Playa Vista, ChowNow builds and maintains a suite of custom, online ordering tools and white-label restaurant apps to help mom-and-pop shops thrive in the 21st century. The company is pretty specific about who they’re looking for in the role of principal backend engineer, but Director of Engineering Wojceich Szela was able to provide some additional insight for those wanting a little more.
Open position: Principal back end engineer
Officially, what is ChowNow looking for in a Principal Back End Engineer?
"We want to talk to you if collaboration, learning and teaching are all things as important to you as they are to us,” said Candice Taylor, recruiting manager. “Our team goes beyond writing code. Every individual is empowered to contribute to the design and overall strategy of building products that reach millions. We want to do it right the first time around and that means writing quality code with a group that is built on trust and respect. Our engineers aren’t just solving technical challenges, they’re also solving real business problems like optimizing conversion rates and reducing client churn. Engineers who are willing to share and debate new and existing ideas, as well as mentor others, will fit in with our culture.”
What exactly does that mean?
“We are upending the game for your favorite neighborhood restaurant by giving them the tech tools to grow their business and compete with the giants in the restaurant industry," said Szela. “Our team is looking for a new “code chef” to help us craft our next great recipe. Our “kitchen” runs like a fine French restaurant -- expert developers curating and designing a world-class digital experience for diners across North America.
"Why join our shop? You will be given a chance to craft new recipes (design architecture), stew new systems (write code) and work with cutting-edge new ingredients (use modern and exciting technologies). We want you to share your feedback, teach and mentor junior developers and, in exchange, be part of something really special while paving a great career full of opportunity and growth."
OK, how does someone get this position?
“You know Python and you know it well,” Szela said. “You are a first principles thinker, doing what’s best for the team each step of the way — architecture, design and strategic thinking are your middle names — and you grow by growing others and fostering a collaborative environment.”
Why would someone want to work at ChowNow?
“Working at ChowNow is more than just cold brew on tap to fuel your workday. It’s having a great work-life balance, the inside scoop on the best food and coffee in LA (and beyond) and being surrounded by great colleagues, many of whom happen to be formidable ping pong opponents,” Szela added.
Finding a senior software engineer is high on many a tech company’s to-do list, but that doesn’t make it easy. While most will identify the ideal tech background, Sean Kamkar, software and data engineer at Hollywood-based ZestFinance said that his team’s quest to find the right candidate will not stop because of a promising applicant’s relative lack of experience.
Open position: Senior software engineer
Officially, what is ZestFinance looking for in a principal back end engineer?
“We’re looking for an experienced senior software engineer who is passionate about building amazing enterprise services with cutting-edge technologies in a lean and fast environment,” said Kamkar. “You will join an organization focused on delivering cutting-edge machine learning technologies to large enterprises, where the systems you build allow our customers to capture huge economic benefits. You will be joining a team of more than 30 highly skilled full stack engineers and data scientists and will have the opportunity to improve team efficiency and productivity by setting high-quality engineering standards. This is a hands-on position, and you will have many opportunities to pair with junior and senior developers and data scientists, delivering features while reinforcing engineering best practices.”
What exactly does that mean?
“Mash a keyboard (write some tests), mash more (code to make those tests pass), and finish mashing (run acceptance) for the win,” said Kamkar. “While you mash, you also mentor junior mashers, support mashes (sprint planning) with a fine product tea, and design optimal ways to mash (design & architect new technology). All of this is done while encouraging and supporting the best mashing behavior (culture) within and beyond the software development team.”
OK, how does someone get this position?
“Give us a try, you tired souls who have been looking for a job, and we will re-ignite your passion for being your best self,” said Kamkar. “Seriously, ZestFinance is less impressed with strong track records, but rather, raw talent that demonstrates exceptional passion, aptitude and willingness for learning something new. Show us your potential, and we'll help you exceed it.”
Why would someone want to work at ZestFinance?
“We're smart and accomplished, but value humility and growth significantly more,” said Kamkar. “That's right, Tony the Tiger need not apply. He may have been grrrrrreat in the ’80s, but now he's suffering from diabetes. Did I mention our fully stocked gym? Or bar? Or that the bar is right next to the gym?”
Lumi, which was represented by co-founder and CEO Jesse Genet on “Shark Tank” a few years ago, is looking to add a creative director to its staff. Co-founder Stephan Ango, who will be working closely with the creative director, said the company is asking for someone confident in their abilities as a creative, and also willing to have a little fun.
Open position: Creative director
Officially, what is Lumi looking for in a creative director?
“Our ideal candidate is comfortable in the creation of both visual and written content to support marketing efforts,” said Ango. “You will be expected to create original material and use your creative direction skills to lead others whenever necessary. You will work closely with me in developing the voice of Lumi and managing the photography studio and design systems.
What exactly does that entail?
“Hang out in a warehouse among piles of cardboard, tripods and 12-foot wide seamless backgrounds — dividing your time between building box forts and wrangling a ragtag group of creatives, engineers and logistics experts attempting to turn complex supply chain ideas into understandable copy and non-boring images of boxes,” Ango said. “To be honest, we're not sure if we're doing a good job with this description. We're actually hoping you can help us with that, too.”
OK, how does someone get this position?
“Do you find yourself knolling objects wherever you go?” asked Ango. “Do you obsess about modernism? Do you have strong opinions about what colors definitely don't go together? You'll probably be a good fit. If you spent most of your adult life trying to figure out what kind of designer you want to be, you'll enjoy doing all of the design jobs in this position. If you've ever dreamed of working with your most talented friends — and hiring people more creative than you, that you wish were your friends — this will definitely work out.”
Why would someone want to work at Lumi?
"Work at Lumi or don't,” said Ango. “Ultimately, everything is meaningless."
Santa Monica-based MomentFeed is in the market for a new director of product management. To get to the heart of exactly what the team wants for this position, Tom Kuhr, SVP of marketing, drew parallels between the head of product role and running a hotel, something the company’s customer experience management platform actually is designed to help with.
Name of the position: Director, product management
Officially, what is MomentFeed looking for in a director of product management?
“MomentFeed is looking for a senior, data-driven product manager with a business mindset and strong communication skills, who is excited to become an integral part of a rapidly growing, cutting-edge technology company,” Kuhr said. “You will own the product vision and strategy for one of MomentFeed’s market-leading solutions, responsible for conceiving and shipping impactful software that drives measurable client success and reinforces its own value. More than just defining products and features, you will be responsible for product revenue and promoting your product internally and externally. The ideal candidate is passionate about defining B2B SaaS software that is both innovative and has a consumer-friendly design.”
What exactly does that mean?
“The buck stops with you,” said Kuhr. “At MomentFeed, you'll act just like a general manager at a hotel. You're the one person in charge of making sure the hotel is continuously providing the right services, amenities, is staffed with the right people, and most of all, is always full of guests.
"There are many departments to coordinate with and everyone has to work together to make every guest's experience an excellent one. You need to understand the neighborhood, how to attract new guests and how to leverage your sales team to sell to individuals as well as find enterprise business and cater large events. When a guest complains, they go to you. When a guest has a great experience, they don't say a word. It’s up to you to ensure your hotel is a top rated hotel on TripAdvisor, and you have a feel for what the product does.”
Responses were edited for clarity and length. Images via participating companies.
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