Hire deeply vetted VPs of engineering

Hiring a VP of engineering for your business can be a weighty task. As an executive professional who oversees and takes charge of the company's engineering projects, it requires varying levels of expertise. It may be one of the most in-demand skills in the market at present, but finding a top professional is not as easy as it may seem.

A vice president of engineering takes up the responsibility of leading the organization's engineering processes. This can involve hiring and training engineers to form an engineering team, setting production goals for engineering projects, and adjusting procedures according to their observed progress. They can also delegate tasks to team members and oversee the daily engineering operations to ensure that all processes run smoothly and goals are met.

Notwithstanding the industry and domain, companies across the globe are looking for expert engineering leaders to deliver on the responsibilities. We're here to assist all employers who choose to recruit a VP of engineering on their own as it would require a fair amount of software engineering experience in general. However, if you're a non-technical manager interested in learning more about the hiring process of a VP of engineering, we've put up an excellent resource for you.

At a high level, engineering VPs should have the following skills in their arsenal:

A clear vision steers organizations in the right direction. As a result, technology leaders must be visionaries. Anticipating a firm's technological requirements, utilizing accessible data, and reacting to the environment and economy as needed can keep the organization relevant and competitive. A successful VP of engineering should be comfortable in making adjustments regarding industry developments and, ideally, have a natural capacity to envision the future for the company and encourage others to work toward the same and achieve great feats.

Most engineering leaders and top management claim to have excellent communication abilities, but what exactly does that imply? When working with engineering teams and developers, a VP of engineering will often need to discuss plans or designs with others. The ability to communicate clearly is essential to collaborative work. It is imperative when working with non-engineers, as the leader must take technical information and convey it clearly to those without advanced technical knowledge. This way, progress, and options are understood by the team and everyone involved. A vice president of engineering can also benefit from having excellent communication skills that can help them give directions clearly and maintain effective communication with other senior-level department heads.

A VP of engineering and other leaders alike are often responsible for the team and will usually own up to the team's shortcomings and avoid blaming others for missed deadlines or mistakes. When a deadline is missed or a deliverable is faulty, fixing the problem takes precedence over pointing fingers. To work in a field where precision is important, such as engineering, an individual must have strong attention to detail. Small errors in the drafting or execution of technical plans can result in financial losses and potentially dangerous situations. While hiring, you should look out for applicants who can demonstrate their ability to capture small, important details.

To be an effective leader, a VP of engineering needs to communicate project requirements and product expectations clearly and in detail. This requires a thorough grounding in engineering, ideally with a focus on the specific tech stack for the company. Endeavor to look out for candidates with strong technical skills, such as programming and a track record of working with mobile or online systems, as well as security concepts and shell scripts. A VP of engineering should come to the table with vast experience in hands-on engineering. A review of his or her professional background should reveal proven technical and interpersonal skills, both of which have supported advancement through the ranks.

One of the most important skills for a VP of engineering to have is leadership abilities, as much of their job involves delegating responsibilities to team members and offering support when needed. An engineer is often placed in a position of leadership, even when not formally in a management position or tasked with working with other departments to execute plans. An engineer with the ability to motivate others is an especially valuable member of any staff and is an exciting prospect for any employer.

This is one of the most important talents a VP of engineering needs to have. Leaders must be able to multitask effectively as they are responsible for multiple tasks and people. Engineering projects can be challenging, so a candidate needs to be reliable under stress. This is why you need a strong engineering VP who can manage multiple projects at the same time while still meeting deadlines and delivering innovative products or services. So, when selecting a proficient VP of engineering, look for someone who has a demonstrated ability to deliver in difficult situations and is committed to improving decision-making and organizing skills to help the team manage workload properly.

Creating a hiring funnel will provide you with numerous benefits, like assisting you in selecting the top skills and identifying a VP of engineering who will fit into your company's culture.

Recruiters associated with the tech industry are aware of the importance of sourcing exceptional talent. To get an overview of the candidate’s practical architectural skills and gauge the level of proficiency, here are lists of possible questions to ask while hiring a VP of engineering.