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Lead Engineer

Roots
Full-time
On-site
Atlanta, GA

Who We Are

Roots is redefining real estate investing with a never before seen resident-centric model. We’re totally reshaping the tenant-landlord relationship by offering residents the chance to not just rent but partner in the property they live in. This is not rent-to-own; this is the first ever own-while-you-rent program! Our innovative “Live In It Like You Own It®” program is about more than just providing a place to live; it’s about fostering a sense of community and financial empowerment. By intertwining investment opportunities and resident engagement we have proven that this model truly does do good by the residents, and performs quite well for our Investors. Roots is committed to making a positive impact and helping millions of people build wealth through real estate. We believe that a win-win ecosystem is the only type worth building!

Our Why

We fundamentally believe that everyone should have an opportunity to build wealth. This belief is what guides our mission of giving everyone the opportunity to build wealth and secure their financial future through investment in real estate.

In pursuit of our mission we will help 1 Million people grow wealth by breaking down the barriers to real estate investment for the masses, and making real estate as easy to invest in as the stock market.

Why We Need You

We’re looking for a Lead Engineer to amplify our team’s impact by bridging product vision with technical execution. In this pivotal role, you’ll partner closely with Product to craft solutions that deliver value quickly and sustainably while setting the standard for technical excellence.

You’ll lead by example—taking ownership of critical projects, contributing hands-on, and ensuring high-quality execution. Your ability to navigate ambiguity, challenge assumptions, and manage expectations at all levels will drive meaningful results. By fostering a culture of ownership, growth, and high standards, you’ll help the team thrive in a fast-paced, startup environment where innovation and execution go hand in hand.

What You’ll Do

  • Hands-On Contribution: Take an active role in the codebase, contributing directly to feature development, debugging, and addressing critical issues. Lead by example with high-quality code and thoughtful problem-solving.
  • Own Delivery: Drive projects to completion by taking ownership of the full development lifecycle, from scoping and design to implementation and release. Roll up your sleeves to ensure critical initiatives get across the finish line.
  • Bridge Vision and Execution: Collaborate with Product to translate ideas into actionable, scalable, and reliable technical solutions. Actively participate in technical discussions, architecture reviews, and roadmap planning.
  • Raise the Bar: Implement and enforce best practices for code quality, testing, and deployment. Identify and address technical debt, ensuring the platform’s long-term scalability and performance.
  • Communicate Effectively: Keep stakeholders aligned through clear and concise communication, managing expectations across leadership, Product, and the team. Advocate for technical priorities and needs.
  • Support & Mentor: While not managing a team, you will provide technical guidance and mentorship, fostering a culture of collaboration, ownership, and continuous growth.

Who You Are

  • Independent Contributor & Leader: You take ownership of your work, driving projects forward without needing formal direct reports.
  • Empowering Mentor: You elevate those around you through coaching, constructive feedback, and knowledge-sharing.
  • Collaborative Partner: You work effectively with cross-functional teams, especially Product, to align on priorities and deliver impactful solutions.
  • Adaptable Problem-Solver: You thrive in ambiguity, using it as an opportunity to innovate and shape clear paths forward.
  • Driven & Impact-Oriented: You excel in fast-paced environments, balancing hustle with thoughtful execution to achieve meaningful results.
  • Strong Communicator: You articulate complex ideas clearly and build alignment up, down, and across the organization.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 2 years in a lead role.
  • Experience building software in FinTech, PropTech, or investment-focused domains.
  • Proficiency with Ruby on Rails, TailwindCSS, Turbo, and Stimulus.
  • Familiarity with systems of record and general ledger methodologies.
  • Strong background in system architecture, cloud infrastructure, and scalable software development.
  • Previous experience working in a startup or high-growth environment.

Our Values

  • Accountability: We take our responsibilities seriously and always stay transparent.
  • Student Mentality: Continuous learning and growth are at our core.
  • Driven: We strive to exceed expectations. We aim for excellence in everything we do.
  • Fairness: We’re committed to equitable treatment for everyone.
  • Great Stewards: We manage our resources and relationships with care and responsibility.
  • Fun and Fearless: We face challenges with a positive and bold spirit. We challenge each other, the status quo, and “how it’s always been done”.

At Roots, we're committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We firmly believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, enhancing the quality of our work and the strength of our team. Join us and be part of an inclusive environment where every perspective is valued.