Lead Full Stack Engineer

Work Type/Locations: Hybrid in either Jersey City, NJ/Clarksburg, MD/Fairfax, VA, Phoenix, AZ/Panama City, FL About goTenna goTenna is the world's leading mobile mesh networking company, providing off-grid connectivity solutions for smartphones and other devices, as well as augmenting traditional communications networks. This technology enables mobile, long-range connectivity without cell, Wi-Fi, or satellite connectivity. goTenna's products are currently in use by law enforcement, military, and public safety agencies worldwide. goTenna is a wholly owned subsidiary of Forterra, a leading provider of ground autonomy solutions for the US Department of Defense and other organizations. About the role: The Lead Full Stack Engineer will lead the execution, delivery, and technical direction of our Portal Engineering team. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who still enjoys building software daily while also leading a small team through delivery planning, technical execution, and engineering growth. The Team Lead role balances:Hands-on engineering (80–90%)Technical leadershipDelivery ownershipTeam mentorship and coordination You will work closely with Product, QA, DevSecOps, and Platform Engineering teams to evolve and modernize the portal platform while delivering customer-facing functionality on predictable timelines. This is not an architect-only or management-only role. We are looking for a pragmatic technical leader who can:Write clean, maintainable production codeGuide engineers through complex problemsImprove systems incrementallyBalance delivery speed with technical qualityBuild trust through execution Primary Responsibilities: Hands-On Full Stack DevelopmentDesign, develop, and maintain full-stack web applications and APIsBuild and evolve services using PHP/Laravel, Vue.js, and MySQLImplement scalable APIs and backend services supporting device management, workflows, and operational toolingContribute directly to frontend and backend architecture decisionsTroubleshoot and resolve production issues across the stackMaintain strong engineering practices including testing, observability, and code quality Team Delivery OwnershipOwn team execution across sprints and releasesTranslate roadmap initiatives into executable engineering workHelp scope, estimate, and prioritize engineering effortsMaintain visibility into delivery risks, blockers, and dependenciesEnsure engineering work meets reliability, security, and operational standardsSupport quarterly planning and sprint execution processes Technical LeadershipGuide engineers through implementation and debugging challengesReview designs, pull requests, and major technical decisionsBalance pragmatic delivery with long-term maintainabilityHelp modernize and evolve the portal architecture incrementallyMaintain alignment with broader platform architecture and operational goals Team Leadership & CollaborationMentor and support engineers on the teamFoster accountability, ownership, and collaborationParticipating in hiring, onboarding, and team developmentCoordinate closely with Product, QA, DevSecOps, and adjacent engineering teamsPromote strong communication and healthy engineering culture Required Experience: 7+ years of professional software engineering experienceStrong hands-on backend engineering experience with PHP and LaravelStrong SQL and relational database experience (MySQL preferred)Experience building and maintaining RESTful APIs and backend servicesExperience working across frontend and backend systemsExperience with Vue.js, React, or modern JavaScript frameworksExperience leading projects or mentoring engineers in a technical capacityStrong debugging and production troubleshooting skillsExperience working in Agile/Scrum development environmentsStrong communication and collaboration skills Preferred Experience: Experience leading small engineering teamsExperience modernizing legacy or monolithic systemsExperience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud infrastructureExperience working in startup or fast-moving product environmentsExperience with AI-assisted workflows or developer toolingExperience with distributed systems, edge computing, or device management platformsFamiliarity with DevSecOps and operational best practices ITAR: U.S. Citizen or Green Card Required CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position may require eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. For more information about U.S. Security Clearances: https://www.state.gov/security-clearances#:~:text=Security%20clearances%20only%20apply%20to,behalf%20of%20the%20federal%20government..    Placement at the appropriate job level (entry, senior, etc) will be determined by a combination of years of experience, demonstration of proficiency in this field, and other qualifications. goTenna is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.   goTenna Benefits: Equity401(k) planUnlimited PTOParental Leave with PayHoliday pay (including December recess)Medical, Dental, Vision and life insurancePre-tax benefitsShort- and Long-term disability plansProfessional Development Stipend Locations: Phoenix, AZ