DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to decipher it, and run them on the smallest chips we can. We’re solving a new, technically hard problem where nothing from other fields works out of the box, and along the way, we’ve built our own stack from scratch, including entirely new embedding model architectures, custom GPU kernels, and much more.

Joining DS means owning major parts of a fast-growing AI research organization, joining a collaborative, talent-dense team with decades of experience in probabilistic ML, accelerated computing, embedded systems, and signal theory, and growing your career in the areas that interest you. You’ll fit in if you want to come to work for the problem itself and don’t want to choose between technical rigor, business value, and real-world impact.

We work with high ownership and trust, and we do it together in the office 5 days/week.

The Role

We are hiring a Tech Lead Manager (Platform) to lead our platform engineering function —
building the shared services, data paths, tooling, and technical foundations that directly shape
customer experience.

This is a staff-level role for someone who is full-stack but systems aware . You write and review real code. You make decisive technical calls. You lead a small, high-ownership team. And you understand enough about how networks, operating systems, and real-world constraints work to build software that behaves reliably when things get hard.

Our product operates where software meets the physical world. That means decisions about data paths, pub/sub architecture, map rendering, offline behavior, and networking surface directly in the customer experience. The best person for this role doesn't just work above these constraints — they understand why they exist.

What You'll Own

The architecture and evolution of our platform and shared services layer
The data path from sensor processing through to customer-facing web and Android
experiences
Technical decisions across the stack — from library selection to system design to deployment
Translating customer deployment learnings into a clear, decisive development plan
Engineering practices that raise the bar for quality, reliability, and execution
A small team of engineers you'll coach, develop, and hire alongside

How You'll Lead - This is an engineer-first, people leader-second role.

Stay deeply involved in system design and technical decision-making
Make decisive calls on the tech — what tools we use, how we build the data path, how we
implement pub/sub, what map library we reach for
Synthesize feedback from customer deployments into actionable development priorities
Coach and develop engineers while remaining a strong technical reference point
Own company goals and drive execution through ambiguity

What Success Looks Like

A platform that enables faster prototyping and clearer customer feedback loops
Systems that behave predictably under real-world constraints
Engineers who are growing in technical judgment and ownership
Technical decisions that scale across the organization

About You

You are someone who:

Thinks in systems, not just frameworks
Has strong full-stack engineering experience and can make confident calls across the stack
Understands how operating systems, memory, and networks affect real software behavior— even if you haven't spent your career writing embedded code
Can take messy customer deployment feedback and turn it into a clear technical plan
Is comfortable leading through ambiguity and startup-paced change
Wants to stay hands-on while growing engineers and influencing the broader org

Technical Background

You've worked meaningfully with:

Python and/or a systems-aware backend language (Go, C++, Rust exposure valued)
Typescript/Javascript & React or comparable frontend frameworks
Linux-based systems
Networking fundamentals — DNS, DHCP, pub/sub, data flow, queues
Backend service architecture — APIs, microservices, data pipelines
Build systems, CI/CD, packaging, and deployment

You understand:

How to design and build reliable data paths through a system
How systems fail under memory or networking pressure
How to make software that doesn't assume constant connectivity
How to evaluate and select libraries, tools, and architectural patterns decisively

This Role is Likely Not For You If...

You've only worked on abstract, cloud-native systems and haven't thought about real-world constraints
You want to move fully away from hands-on technical work
You prefer narrowly scoped ownership over end-to-end responsibility
You're uncomfortable making decisive technical calls in ambiguous environments
You've never led engineers, regardless of team size

Who Thrives at Distributed Spectrum

Fast learners over specific backgrounds – We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you’ve worked before.
Intellectual honesty – The right answer matters more than being right. You challenge assumptions, test ideas, and pivot when needed.
Adaptability – We’re organized, but sometimes things change quickly. You find a way to make it work and balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals.
Ownership of outcomes – You optimize your own time, focus on what matters to deliver quickly, and cut out inefficiencies.
Not building in a vacuum – You stay connected to the rest of our teams and our customers to make sure all the pieces fit together.

What We Offer

Above-market salary, equity, and benefits package.
Early Series A Equity
Excellent health, dental, and vision coverage
401(k) match - up to 4% of your salary
Flexible PTO
Daily office lunches in NYC

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.