What You’ll Be Doing
You’re not just looking to manage a team. You want to build something that matters, with your own hands and with people who care. As our Head of Engineering, you’ll lead the development of the core platform while still being in the trenches: shipping features, debugging workflows, and turning rough ideas into resilient systems.We’re a Seed-stage startup, so this role is both strategic and operational. You’ll shape our engineering culture and long-term tech direction, but also write code every week, pair with the team, and remove blockers wherever they show up.
Tasks
The three biggest challenges in the first year:
1. Build and Lead Our Engineering Org
Hire and mentor the founding engineering team. Set the bar for code quality, speed, and ownership by leading with example.
2. Scale Our Core Infrastructure
Translate fast no-code/low-code prototypes into scalable, reliable systems. Lay the foundation for how we build as we grow.
3. Make Engineering a Multiplier
Partner with Product, Ops, and Sales to ensure engineering is a growth engine, not a bottleneck. Leverage AI-native workflows to ship faster and smarter.
Here’s what you’ll dive into:
- Write code and ship features – You're still hands-on. You’ll work alongside the team on critical features, architecture decisions, and bug fixes
- Define our technical strategy and roadmap – Drive the evolution of our systems from prototype to production-ready, balancing speed, flexibility, and long-term thinking
- Own the transition from MVP to platform – Help us move from high-leverage hacks to well-designed systems that are ready to scale
- Recruit and mentor a high-performing team – You’ll hire smart engineers and coach them to build fast and well in a startup environment
- Work with AI-assisted dev tools – Use Cursor, Lovable, and agents to accelerate our development cycles
- Collaborate across functions – Build tools that solve real problems for Sales, Marketing, and Operations (fast, reliable, and user-centric)Shape our stack and engineering standards – Define how we test, deploy, monitor, and document. Clean slate. No legacy :)
Requirements
- 8+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, including 2+ years in a leadership or founding role
- Strong full-stack skills – you’re confident across modern frontend frameworks, backend APIs, and data modeling
- You still love to code and problem-solve, not just plan and delegate
- Experience building in fast-moving environments (early-stage startups, side projects, or rapid prototyping)
- Excited by AI-native workflows, automation, and choosing the right tool for the job (open towards no-code/low-code where it makes sense)
- Strong communicator who brings clarity and momentum across teams
- You’ve either built a team before or are hungry to do it now
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package: We will offer you a mix of cash and stock options based on your appetite for upside
- ️Be part of our core-team, building in a super-hot phase of an early-stage climate-tech startup
- Make an impact at VARM: Shape our culture and the way we work and collaborate together. Nothing is set in stone – you have a direct impact, while we are growing and building together
- Make an impact on the earth: Do you want to make a difference in the fight against climate change? Become part of the solution and actively shape the energy transition
- Onsite first, but hybrid work keeps us flexible: We believe that in-person collaboration is an integral part of working together, but offer flexibility for remote working
- Grow with us: We take your personal development seriously, which includes being mentored and challenged in regular founder feedback sessions
- Start–up culture: We offer you hybrid work, training, team events, and a great office setup in the heart of Kreuzberg
- Discounted fitness programs
- Diversity & Inclusion: We value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds
Why Now?
Buildings are the largest energy consumers in Europe, making them CO₂ monsters. They account for 40% of our energy usage, causing 36% of all EU CO₂ emissions. That's why the decarbonization of buildings is essential for a sustainable future.
Why Us?
At VARM, we are pushing insulation forward. We help our customers save up to 50% on their heating costs and decrease their CO₂ emissions. To scale insulation, we just closed a strong Seed Round with top-tier investors. Join our mission now to change an entire industry for good.
Our Goal?
Becoming Europe’s insulation champion and insulate 1 million houses over the next 10 years! Now is your chance to be part of our vision. Join us in building a market-leading company in the climate sector. Unf*ck the planet with us and actively contribute to slashing CO₂ emissions from buildings.
