Ladder

Vice President, Engineering

United States

Not SpecifiedCompensation
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
NoVisa
Insurance, Fintech, InsurtechIndustries

Position Overview

  • Location Type: Hybrid or Remote (Palo Alto)
  • Job Type: Full-time
  • Salary: Not Specified

Ladder is revolutionizing the life insurance industry by making it faster, simpler, and more accessible. We leverage AI and real-time underwriting to provide instant decisions and coverage in minutes, transforming a traditionally lengthy and paper-intensive process. We are seeking an experienced and dynamic VP of Engineering to lead our growing team and help us reimagine life insurance. This role requires a blend of strategic leadership and hands-on mentorship, working closely with Product, Design, and Data Science to deliver exceptional user experiences.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; Master's degree preferred
  • 10+ years of professional software development experience
  • 5+ years of experience in a leadership role, managing and mentoring engineering teams
  • Strong technical background, with expertise in full-stack development, cloud infrastructure, and modern software architecture.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, balancing both business priorities and technical challenges.
  • Startup experience, or fintech/insurtech experience is a plus.
  • Familiarity with the challenges of building end-user facing products that require rapid iteration, high cross-functional collaboration, and continual performance optimization.
  • Demonstrable past technical accomplishments and ability to remain hands-on.
  • Ability to easily transition between high-level strategy and day-to-day implementation.
  • Results-oriented, high energy, self-motivated.
  • Track record of inspiring others and driving positive change in solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Set the technical vision and strategy in alignment with the company’s mission and goals, focusing on delivering exceptional end-user experiences.
  • Build and lead high-performing engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Work with the Product organization to analyze customer needs and develop the engineering team’s roadmap based on company goals and user impact.
  • Lead the team through the software development lifecycle of Ladder’s core services, from ideation to deployment, ensuring end-user facing features are delivered on time, within scope, and with the highest quality.
  • Promote a culture of feedback and transparent communication.
  • Establish measurable goals for your team's productivity and impact.
  • Mentor and lead engineers and engineering leaders, helping them grow.
  • Act as an advisor to and collaborate with the executive leadership team to align on business goals and technical priorities.
  • Recruit engineering talent into the organization while ensuring we can retain our top performers.

Company Information

Ladder is a fintech company that has simplified the life insurance application process through innovative technology. We have provided over $74 billion in coverage and are recognized for our user-loved digital experience.

Location Details

This is a remote role based in one of the 23 states Ladder is currently hiring in: AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, KS, MA, MD, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI. Ladder is not currently sponsoring or transferring OPT or H1-B visas.

Skills

Software Engineering
Leadership
Software Development Life Cycle
Product Collaboration
User Experience
Innovation
Mentoring

Ladder

Digital term life insurance provider

About Ladder

Ladder Life provides term life insurance through a digital platform aimed at individuals looking for an easy and efficient way to secure coverage. Customers can apply for up to $3 million in coverage without undergoing medical exams or dealing with extensive paperwork, making the process straightforward and quick. For those seeking higher coverage amounts, a simple at-home health check may be necessary. This digital-first approach not only streamlines the application process but also helps lower costs, making term life insurance more accessible and affordable. Ladder Life stands out from competitors by focusing on term life insurance, which covers a specific period, and by offering tools like a coverage calculator to help customers determine their insurance needs based on their financial responsibilities. The company's goal is to provide hassle-free life insurance solutions that meet the needs of modern consumers.

Palo Alto, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2015Year Founded
$190.7MTotal Funding
SERIES_DCompany Stage
Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries
51-200Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Stock Options
401(k) Company Match
Commuter Benefits
Parental Leave
Home Office Stipend
Phone/Internet Stipend
Company Social Events

Risks

Increased competition from digital-first startups like Modern Life pressures Ladder to innovate.
Shift towards online platforms increases competition, challenging Ladder's market position.
Integration of life insurance in financial planning software may increase competition.

Differentiation

Ladder offers up to $3M coverage without medical exams, simplifying the process.
Real-time underwriting makes Ladder's life insurance accessible and affordable.
Ladder's digital-first approach aligns with the growing trend of online insurance purchases.

Upsides

Partnership with AmeriSave taps into the home mortgage market, boosting customer acquisition.
Integration with Envestnet | MoneyGuide expands reach within the financial advisory community.
Partnership with WEA Member Benefits opens new growth channels in the education sector.

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