BuildOps Career Growth & Development

What makes your role now a dream job? What do you get to do that you didn’t at other companies? 

Working at BuildOps is fascinating because of the diverse range of companies we engage with — from small local businesses to large enterprises managing projects across multiple states. This variety keeps our work dynamic and impactful. 

What sets BuildOps apart is our clear mission and the tangible impact we see from our efforts. Knowing that our work directly improves the daily lives of real people keeps us grounded and motivated as we grow. One of the most significant benefits here is the company’s commitment to investing in its employees and culture. Since the pandemic, I’ve experienced more in-person interaction at BuildOps than at any other company. There’s strong support from leadership to bring the right people together, regardless of logistical challenges. This emphasis on collaboration has greatly enhanced our culture and team cohesion across different countries and time zones.

What do you think helped you land the job? Were you able to bring any special expertise or project experience that BuildOps found valuable?

My tenure at previous startups was a significant factor in securing the director of engineering role at BuildOps. I have been part of multiple startups that underwent rapid growth phases, going from seed funding to Series D over three to four years. In that time, I was able to see not only what choices were made during the growth phase to help the company scale, but also the long term outcomes and consequences of those choices. 

As the scope of your role and potential impact grows, being able to “close the loop” on decisions you’ve made becomes invaluable. Staying with a company long enough to observe how decisions play out helps you understand what works and what doesn’t during rapid growth stages.

What do you think helps engineers move up quickly or be the top pick for a competitive employer? What should engineers seek out if they hope to move up or be hired by their "dream" company?

Engineers must invest in their ability to clearly articulate their ideas to a range of audiences including fellow engineers, product management and customer facing teams like marketing or customer success. It's not enough to develop strong solutions in isolation; the true value lies in effectively communicating these solutions to various stakeholders, securing their buy-in, and generating the momentum needed for successful cross-team implementation. Whether pursuing an Individual Contributor or Management track in their career, being able to orient diverse teams around a solution and keep that alignment through delivery of the solution is a key ability.