About the Role
We're standing up a new team that pairs human engineers with AI coding agents to migrate our PIM (Production Information Management) system into purpose-built, full-stack applications for end-user data management. As Tech Lead, you'll set the technical direction for this effort—defining architecture, agent workflows, and quality standards—while keeping the team shipping at a high pace. As a Lead Software Engineer (Software Engineer IV) you will develop applications that align with a strategic vision. In addition to coaching engineers, you will partner with key stakeholders including Product Managers and Architecture. You will embrace curiosity to ensure a deep understanding of the business requirements that drive the analysis and physical design of technical solutions. You will leverage the latest and greatest patterns in agentic software development by collaborating with agents to design, write, and ship software. Chicago, IL is the preferred location with a hybrid work environment (2 days per week in the Merchandise Mart office). We will also consider assistance with relocation and will consider highly qualified remote candidates who are willing to travel to Chicago for onboarding and occasional team meetings. Onsite onboarding will be required.
You Will
Lead engineer on a team responsible for the application and delivery of high-quality, maintainable software for highly complex applications
Lead data migration strategy-schema mapping, validation pipelines, and phased cutover plans.
Set engineering standards for CI/CD, testing (including AI-generated code testing), observability, and code review.
Design the agent-collaboration workflow: how work is decomposed for agents, how output is reviewed, how quality is enforced at scale.
Contribute to continuous learning on your team culture by leading knowledge sharing sessions with latest technological features and engineering practices
Maintain software in production with demonstrated ability to triage and resolve issues
Mentor developers, conduct code reviews, and participate in pair programming
Communicate technical roadmap, trade-offs, and risk to product managers and stakeholders
You Have
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in computer science or similar; or equivalent experience required
5+ years experience as a Software Engineer; with experience in modern software engineering; designing; devloping, testing and deploying scalable software applications within a variety of technologies and environments. required
Demonstrated experience with AI coding agents in a production or team setting-designing workflows, establishing guardrails, and scaling agent-assisted development.
Deep understanding of data migration, ETL patterns, and working with complex domain data models (PIM/MDM experience is a plus).
Track record of leading small teams through ambiguous, greenfield projects.
Demonstrated knowledge of distributed system design and integration patterns
Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies and Dev Ops Practices
Experience with analyzing, interpreting and communicating complex problems and practices