📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Engineering Manager (Database)
Company: Materialize
Location: New York, NY, USA
Job Type: Hybrid (3 days in office)
Category: Engineering Management
Date Posted: June 18, 2025
Experience Level: 2-5 years of experience

🚀 Role Summary

Lead and grow a high-performing team of 4-8 database engineers.
Collaborate with product leadership to translate product strategy into clear engineering outcomes.
Develop technical roadmaps for core areas of the database with senior engineers.
Foster a culture of trust, inclusivity, and collaboration within the team.
Manage and refine essential processes to ensure consistent and sustainable delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of strong technical acumen, leadership skills, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, cross-functional environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing high-performing teams and driving technical projects to completion.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Team Management & Growth: Manage, coach, and grow a team of 4-8 database engineers. Foster a culture of trust, inclusivity, and excellence.
Project Planning & Execution: Own the planning, execution, and timely delivery of your team’s commitments. Ensure projects are delivered on time and meet quality standards.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with product leadership to understand product strategy and customer needs. Collaborate with senior engineers to develop technical roadmaps.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with other teams, such as go-to-market teams, to deliver large, cross-cutting projects.
Process Refinement: Refine and improve essential processes to ensure your team consistently delivers high-quality work.
Recruitment & Hiring: Partner with recruiting to hire and build a remarkable team.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on both technical leadership and team management. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating evolving priorities and organizational changes while driving their team to deliver exceptional results.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant graduate degrees are a plus.

Experience: 2+ years of experience managing a team of distributed systems, database, or infrastructure engineers. Substantial hands-on experience with one or more of the following: distributed systems, databases, and data infrastructure.

Required Skills:

Proven experience in managing and building a strong culture across a distributed team.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with varied audiences.
Strong organizational skills, effectively managing priorities, timelines, and resources.
Passion for coaching and developing high-performing teams.
Comfortable navigating dynamic environments and evolving priorities.

Preferred Skills:

Experience with real-time databases or stream processing systems.
Familiarity with SQL and database management systems.
Knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).
Experience with Agile methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the required skills focus on management and communication, the preferred skills highlight the technical depth expected for this role. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in databases and distributed systems.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your experience managing and growing high-performing teams in a database or infrastructure context.
Showcase your ability to deliver large, cross-cutting projects with a focus on technical excellence and stakeholder collaboration.
Highlight your experience refining and improving processes to ensure consistent, sustainable delivery.

Technical Documentation:

Provide examples of technical roadmaps you've developed with senior engineers.
Share case studies demonstrating your ability to deliver complex database projects on time and within budget.
Include testimonials or references from colleagues who can speak to your management and leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role focuses on management and leadership, the portfolio should emphasize your ability to grow and lead high-performing teams, deliver large projects, and refine processes. Technical depth in databases and distributed systems is expected but not the primary focus.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $195,000 - $225,000 USD per year, plus equity.

Benefits:

Equity in Materialize, a real-time data platform trusted by industry leaders.
A dynamic, collaborative work environment with a team spanning the US, Canada, and EMEA.
The opportunity to shape one of the most ambitious database products and technologies in the industry.

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in the NYC office near Astor Place).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a guideline and may vary based on individual qualifications and market demands. The equity component of the compensation package offers the opportunity to share in the success of Materialize as it grows and scales.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Materialize is a real-time data platform that enables up-to-date, trustworthy views into any aspect of your business using just SQL. It's trusted by industry leaders such as General Mills, Ryder, and Fubo.tv to solve their most pressing real-time data challenges.

Company Size: Materialize is a well-funded startup with a team spanning the US, Canada, and EMEA. It has raised investment from leading venture capital firms such as Kleiner Perkins, Redpoint Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.

Founded: Materialize was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in New York, NY, USA.

Team Structure:

The Database team sits at the heart of Materialize's product and engineering efforts and is growing to support its ambitious technical vision.
The Engineering Manager (Database) role will partner with the existing leadership to scale and support this highly technical group.

Development Methodology:

Materialize follows Agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous integration, delivery, and improvement.
The company values transparency, collaboration, and working in the open to foster a culture of innovation and excellence.

Company Website: Materialize

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's culture values transparency, collaboration, and working in the open. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, cross-functional environment and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Engineering Manager (Database) is a mid-level management role focused on leading and growing a high-performing team of database engineers. It offers significant opportunities for technical and leadership growth within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Engineering Manager (Database) will report to the VP of Engineering and collaborate closely with product leadership and senior engineers to deliver on the team's commitments.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on Materialize's core product and engineering efforts. The Engineering Manager (Database) will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's evolution to sustainably support its bold technical vision.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: Deepen your expertise in real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure. Explore opportunities to contribute to Materialize's open-source projects and engage with the broader technical community.
Leadership Growth: Develop your leadership skills by managing and growing a high-performing team. Seek mentorship opportunities from Materialize's experienced leadership team to accelerate your professional development.
Architecture & Design: Contribute to the architectural design of Materialize's database and infrastructure. Collaborate with senior engineers to define the technical roadmaps for core areas of the database.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize offers significant opportunities for technical and leadership growth within its Engineering Manager (Database) role. The ideal candidate will be eager to take on new challenges and contribute to the company's ambitious technical vision.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Materialize's NYC headquarters is a modern, collaborative workspace near Astor Place, designed to foster innovation and teamwork.

Office Location(s): Materialize has offices in New York, NY, USA, and remote team members across North America and EMEA.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: Materialize's offices are designed to encourage collaboration and teamwork, with open-plan workspaces and dedicated team areas.
Technology & Tools: The company provides modern hardware, software, and development tools to support its engineers' productivity and creativity.
Cross-Functional Interaction: Materialize's teams work closely together, with regular check-ins and stand-ups to ensure alignment and progress.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (3 days in the NYC office). Materialize offers flexible working hours and remote work options to support work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and work-life balance. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic, cross-functional team setting and be comfortable working in a hybrid or remote environment.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Screening: A brief phone or video call to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications.
Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive technical interview focused on your experience managing database and distributed systems teams, as well as your understanding of Materialize's product and technology stack.
Leadership & Collaboration: A behavioral interview to evaluate your leadership skills, communication style, and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Final Decision: A discussion with the hiring manager and other stakeholders to make a final decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Highlight your experience managing and growing high-performing teams in a database or infrastructure context.
Showcase your ability to deliver large, cross-cutting projects with a focus on technical excellence and stakeholder collaboration.
Include testimonials or references from colleagues who can speak to your management and leadership skills.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush up on your knowledge of real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure.
Familiarize yourself with Materialize's product and technology stack, as well as its competition and market position.
Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your leadership skills, communication style, and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

ATS Keywords: Engineering Management, Database, Distributed Systems, Infrastructure, Team Building, Technical Roadmaps, Collaboration, Coaching, Communication, Project Management, Organizational Skills, Dynamic Environments, Trust, Inclusivity, Transparency, Feedback, Real-Time Databases, Stream Processing, Data Infrastructure, Cloud Platforms, SQL, Agile Methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's interview process focuses on assessing the candidate's technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating a dynamic, cross-functional environment and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Database Technologies:

Materialize's core product is a real-time data platform built on a breakthrough in incremental computation, enabling up-to-date, trustworthy views into any aspect of your business using just SQL.
The Engineering Manager (Database) will work closely with the team responsible for developing and maintaining this cutting-edge database technology.

Server Technologies:

Materialize's infrastructure is built on cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, and Azure.
The Engineering Manager (Database) will collaborate with infrastructure teams to ensure the database's scalability, availability, and performance.

Development & DevOps Tools:

Materialize uses modern development tools, version control systems, and CI/CD pipelines to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
The Engineering Manager (Database) will work closely with development and DevOps teams to refine and improve processes, ensuring consistent and sustainable delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's technology stack emphasizes real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in these areas and be eager to contribute to the company's ambitious technical vision.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Minimum Viable Process: Materialize values a lightweight, flexible approach to process development. People join startups to avoid heavyweight processes common at larger companies, and Materialize strives to introduce processes only when there is a demonstrated need.
Transparency: Materialize highly values transparency across the organization. It defaults to working in the open, both on its codebase and within the company, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
Candid, Continuous Feedback: Materialize provides candid (and kind) feedback as quickly as possible. It doesn't wait for 1-1s or big emergencies to happen, encouraging a culture of continuous improvement.
Servant Leadership: Engineering leadership at Materialize is about being of service to your team. While managers have a lot of input into what engineers do on a daily basis, this must be tempered with the engineers’ preferences, career goals, life/work balance, and growth goals.
Sound Technical Judgment: Materialize expects engineering managers to exercise good engineering judgment while leaving core technical decisions to the experts on the team. Engineering managers’ technical judgment contributes to evaluating engineering trade-offs, helping engineers grow, influencing roadmaps, and contributing to design discussions.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Materialize's teams work closely together, with regular check-ins and stand-ups to ensure alignment and progress.
Code Review Culture: Materialize values a culture of code review, with peer programming practices that foster knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Knowledge Sharing: Materialize encourages a culture of knowledge sharing, with regular team meetings, brown bag sessions, and technical deep dives to help engineers stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's culture values transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic, cross-functional team setting and contributing to a culture of innovation and excellence.

💡 Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Real-Time Database Complexities: Materialize's real-time data platform presents unique challenges in terms of scalability, availability, and performance. The Engineering Manager (Database) will need to navigate these complexities and ensure the database's long-term sustainability.
Stream Processing Systems: Materialize's platform integrates with various stream processing systems, requiring the Engineering Manager (Database) to understand and manage these complex, evolving technologies.
Data Infrastructure Optimization: As Materialize's customer base grows, the Engineering Manager (Database) will need to optimize the platform's data infrastructure to ensure its continued performance and reliability.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Deep Dive: The Engineering Manager (Database) will have the opportunity to deepen their expertise in real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure by working on Materialize's cutting-edge technology stack.
Leadership Development: Materialize offers mentorship opportunities from its experienced leadership team to help the Engineering Manager (Database) accelerate their professional development and refine their leadership skills.
Architecture & Design: The Engineering Manager (Database) will collaborate with senior engineers to define the technical roadmaps for core areas of the database, contributing to Materialize's architectural design and long-term vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize presents unique technical challenges and growth opportunities for the Engineering Manager (Database) role. The ideal candidate will be eager to take on these challenges and contribute to the company's ambitious technical vision.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Database & Infrastructure: Prepare for questions about your experience managing database and distributed systems teams, as well as your understanding of real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure.
Leadership & Collaboration: Brush up on your leadership skills, communication style, and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your ability to manage and grow high-performing teams.
Technical Deep Dive: Familiarize yourself with Materialize's product and technology stack, as well as its competition and market position. Prepare for technical questions that assess your understanding of the company's technology and its application to real-world business challenges.

Company & Culture Questions:

Research Materialize's company culture, values, and mission. Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the company's goals and your alignment with its culture.
Familiarize yourself with Materialize's industry and competition. Prepare questions that showcase your understanding of the company's market position and your ideas for driving its continued success.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Highlight your experience managing and growing high-performing teams in a database or infrastructure context.
Showcase your ability to deliver large, cross-cutting projects with a focus on technical excellence and stakeholder collaboration.
Include testimonials or references from colleagues who can speak to your management and leadership skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: Materialize's interview process focuses on assessing the candidate's technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural fit. The ideal candidate will be comfortable navigating a dynamic, cross-functional environment and contributing to a culture of continuous improvement.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Engineering Manager (Database) position at Materialize:

Submit your application: Follow the application link provided in the job description.
Prepare your portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience managing and growing high-performing teams in a database or infrastructure context. Include testimonials or references from colleagues who can speak to your management and leadership skills.
Optimize your resume: Highlight your relevant project experience, technical skills, and management accomplishments. Tailor your resume to emphasize your qualifications for this role and the specific requirements outlined in the job description.
Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on your knowledge of real-time databases, stream processing systems, and data infrastructure. Familiarize yourself with Materialize's product and technology stack, as well as its competition and market position. Prepare for technical challenges and behavioral questions that assess your leadership skills, communication style, and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Research the company: Familiarize yourself with Materialize's company culture, values, and mission. Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the company's goals and your alignment with its culture. Research Materialize's industry and competition to showcase your understanding of the company's market position and your ideas for driving its continued success.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Engineering Manager (Database)