Job description

ABOUT SLATE At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. Who we are looking for: Slate is looking for a Software Development Manager to lead the engineering team building our Commerce experiences. We’re building a direct-to-consumer EV brand from the ground up, and this role will help shape how customers discover, customize, purchase, and receive products from Slate. You’ll lead the team responsible for building and evolving the systems that power Slate Commerce, spanning product discovery, vehicle and accessory configuration, cart and checkout, payments, order management, and fulfillment. You’ll partner closely with Product, Design, and engineering leaders across Slate to translate customer and business needs into clear technical direction and effective execution. This is a people-leadership role with strong technical depth. You’ll hire, develop, and retain engineers while setting engineering standards, guiding technical decisions, and driving execution. You’ll engage deeply in architecture and technical tradeoffs, particularly on complex or high-impact initiatives, while building a team capable of independently delivering high-quality software. You thrive in environments where the path is not always defined. You enjoy solving complex problems, making thoughtful decisions with incomplete information, and balancing speed with long-term technical excellence. At Slate, there is no distance between what you build and the impact it creates - your work will help define how customers experience an entirely new automotive brand. What you get to do: You lead the definition, design, architecture, development, and delivery of Slate’s Commerce software. You build and develop a high-performing engineering team, providing clear direction, coaching, feedback, and career development. You lead technical strategy and decision-making for Commerce, balancing customer experience, business priorities, engineering velocity, and long-term technical excellence. You relentlessly simplify, demonstrating significant innovation, creativity, and judgment when solving challenging technical and business problems. You collaborate with UX and Product teams to build and invent new solutions that put customers first. You are a trusted technical leader who drives alignment across engineering and business teams and is sought out for difficult technical and organizational decisions. You drive awareness of the business impact and consequences of technical decisions, balancing technical leadership with strong business judgment to make the right decisions for Slate. You establish and maintain a high bar for engineering quality, reliability, performance, and operational excellence. What you bring to the team: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience. 10 years of experience building and delivering customer-facing software, with 5 years leading and developing software engineering teams. Strong technical leadership experience, including architecture, complex technical trade-offs, and driving engineering decisions across teams. Experience designing and operating reliable, scalable distributed systems, including web services, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and modern software development practices. Experience with modern ecommerce architectures and integrations across product catalog, cart/checkout, payments, order management, and fulfillment systems. Familiarity with marketplace or multi-vendor commerce models and the technical challenges they introduce. Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, simplify complex problems, and deliver high-quality solutions in fast-paced environments. Experience partnering closely with Product, UX, and Program Management teams to deliver customer-driven software products. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders at all levels. WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE? At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles. Safety First Delight Customers One Team Relentless Improvement Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy Respectful Collaboration Positive Legacy WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE. Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at slate-talent_acquisition slate.auto.

Requirements

Must-haves

You lead the definition, design, architecture, development, and delivery of Slate’s Commerce software.
You build and develop a high-performing engineering team, providing clear direction, coaching, feedback, and career development.
You lead technical strategy and decision-making for Commerce, balancing customer experience, business priorities, engineering velocity, and long-term technical excellence.
You relentlessly simplify, demonstrating significant innovation, creativity, and judgment when solving challenging technical and business problems.
You collaborate with UX and Product teams to build and invent new solutions that put customers first.
You are a trusted technical leader who drives alignment across engineering and business teams and is sought out for difficult technical and organizational decisions.
You drive awareness of the business impact and consequences of technical decisions, balancing technical leadership with strong business judgment to make the right decisions for Slate.
You establish and maintain a high bar for engineering quality, reliability, performance, and operational excellence.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.
10 years of experience building and delivering customer-facing software, with 5 years leading and developing software engineering teams.
Strong technical leadership experience, including architecture, complex technical trade-offs, and driving engineering decisions across teams.
Experience designing and operating reliable, scalable distributed systems, including web services, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and modern software development practices.
Experience with modern ecommerce architectures and integrations across product catalog, cart/checkout, payments, order management, and fulfillment systems.
Familiarity with marketplace or multi-vendor commerce models and the technical challenges they introduce.
Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, simplify complex problems, and deliver high-quality solutions in fast-paced environments.
Experience partnering closely with Product, UX, and Program Management teams to deliver customer-driven software products.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders at all levels.
WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?
Safety First
Delight Customers
Relentless Improvement
Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
Respectful Collaboration
Positive Legacy

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: workday
Effort: long