Lead Open Source Engineer (Node.js, TypeScript)

Dice is the leading career destination for tech experts at every stage of their careers. Our client, EXCEL CONSULTANTS, is seeking the following. Apply via Dice today! Lead Open Source Engineer (Node.js, TypeScript) Location: Los Angeles (onsite preferred) | Remote considered Comp: $220K–$260K base Seniority: 8–10+ years INDUSTRY: AI, Devtools, Enterprise, API SDK, B2B - Client builds the embedded integration infrastructure that powers customer-facing integrations for hundreds of B2B SaaS products. They help engineering teams build integrations 7x faster than in-house across dozens of categories. Role Snapshot This is a Lead Open Source Engineer role where you''ll shape client''s open-source strategy from the ground up and have significant influence over technical direction and long-term platform decisions. Senior‑level technical leader to own open‑source readiness, strategy, and commercialization for a high‑scale integrations platform used by Zendesk, Postman, and Pipedrive (billions of requests/month). This role is 70% hands‑on IC / 30% strategy. You’ll help shape what becomes open source, how it’s released, and how it’s commercialized. Reports directly to the CTO. What You’ll Own • Guide core platform components toward open‑source readiness • Define standards for code quality, docs, testing, releases • Own API/SDK design, versioning, compatibility, and migrations • Design OSS contribution, governance, and review models • Define boundaries between open‑source vs. enterprise features • Act as internal expert on open‑source strategy & tradeoffs • Represent the company externally via writing, talks, and technical content Must‑Have Experience (Non‑Negotiable) • 8–10+ years senior software engineering experience • Deep production experience with Node.js + TypeScript • Worked at a company that built and commercially distributed open source • or maintained a widely‑used OSS project • Built platforms, frameworks, or developer tooling • Strong experience with API / SDK design and long‑term compatibility • Excellent written and verbal communication • Public technical presence (writing, talks, OSS visibility) Strong Signals • Titles such as Staff, Principal, Lead, Director of Open Source • Experience commercializing OSS and building community around it • Opinionated but pragmatic about open‑source strategy • Comfortable setting direction in 0→1, ambiguous environments • Strong self‑starter; asks the right questions without hand‑holding Seniority 6+ years of experience as a senior- level software engineer with hands- on experience building or maintaining open source projects. Work Experience Has worked at a company that builds and distributes open source software (ideally commercially), or has independently maintained a widely- used open source project. Has had hands- on experience building platforms, frameworks, or dev tooling. Has held a position as a senior, principal, director, or staff- level engineer. Hard Skills Deep production experience with Node. js / TypeScript. Strong experience with API/SDK design, versioning, and compatibility. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documentation and public- facing content. Has a public technical presence (writing, talks, conference speaking). Hard No’s (Not Qualified) • OSS consumers only (no ownership or stewardship) • Customer Success / non‑engineering OSS rolesJob hopping (multiple roles • Low‑communication or poor public presence • Uncomfortable with ambiguity or strategic ownership • Uncomfortable defining strategy in ambiguous, zero- to- one environments. Interview Process (Fast) • Quick, informal Teams meeting with Excel • Screen call • Two technical interviews • Take‑home exercise • Onsite meeting Can be completed in ~4 days Submission Rule We can only submit candidates with direct OSS ownership + commercialization exposure and strong communication skills.