Engineering Manager - Backend Python Team

ABOUT BESTOW

Life insurance is one of the world's most important products. It's also one of the hardest to build, distribute, and modernize. Bestow exists to change that.

Bestow is a leading vertical technology platform serving some of the largest and most innovative life insurers. Our platform unifies the fragmented, legacy value chain, enabling carriers to launch products in weeks instead of years. Carriers choose us to scale and operate at unprecedented speed, powered by AI and automation.

Bestow isn't selling policies. We're building the infrastructure that helps an entire industry move faster, reach more people, and deliver on its promise.

Backed by leading investors (Goldman Sachs, Hedosophia, NEA, Valar, 8VC) and trusted by major carriers, Bestow is powered by a team that moves with precision, purpose, and heart. If you want to help reimagine a centuries-old industry with lasting impact, join us.

Bestow offers flexible remote/hybrid work, meaningful benefits, equity, and substantial growth opportunities.

Bestow participates in the E-Verify Program.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Engineering team is responsible for all technology for Bestow and the Bestow Platform. We serve employees, consumers, and enterprise customers. In addition to building software, we integrate and manage many third-party products used by employees and as part of the platform. Our major functional teams are product engineering, infrastructure, IT, data & analytics, and program management. Engineering works closely with product management and design to define and prioritize the product roadmap.

As an Engineering Manager for the Origination Group Team, you will lead an engineering team working closely with the Enrollment Product Managers, Underwriters, and our external partners to develop and support solutions to power our digital life insurance enrollment experience. You will also collaborate with teams across Bestow to plan and execute the product roadmap. Our system is composed of several modular services written in Python, Java, and Go. The Origination Group services are written in Python, Java, and Go and integrate with other services using gRPC, REST, and async messaging patterns. Our services run on Kubernetes in Google Cloud Platform, and you will share responsibility for operating our workloads on these platforms.

This role is open to remote candidates. #LI-Remote

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• This is a player / coach role that will have FTE and contractor direct reports with 20% of your time spent contributing to the production level code.

  • All Eng leaders at Bestow remains hands-on in the code and actively participating in system design and architecture decisions

• Regularly reviews pull requests, providing thoughtful feedback that elevates code quality

• Partners with engineers on complex technical challenges, offering guidance without micromanaging

• Willing to drive large initiatives

Team Development

• Orchestrates effective engineering ceremonies that promote collaboration and continuous improvement

• Creates personalized growth plans for each team member, identifying strengths and development areas

• Provides regular, constructive feedback and creates opportunities for engineers to expand their skills

Strategic Vision

• Balances technical excellence with business objectives

• Demonstrates sound judgment when making technical trade-offs

• Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

The ideal candidate embraces being both a technical contributor and a people leader, finding fulfillment in writing code while helping others grow into their full potential.

WHO YOU ARE

An Engineering Manager at Bestow is a highly technical leader who thrives at the intersection of people and technology. Combines deep technical expertise with exceptional leadership skills to drive engineering excellence while developing talent.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required

• 8+ years professional experience in the software industry, with at least 1 years of management experience while keeping your coding skills strong.

  • Professional experience with Python or Java is preferred

  • Comfortable using Docker for local software development

  • Familiar with modern, scalable system architectures (load balancing, horizontal scaling, etc.)

  • Experience with PostgreSQL or other relational databases (comfortable writing ANSI SQL)

  • Familiar with API design tools/languages (Protocol Buffers, Swagger, OpenAPI, etc.)

  • Cloud computing & Kubernetes (or similar container orchestration) preferred

• Deep understanding of the entire software development lifecycle, including feature inception, system maintenance, continuous integration and release strategies, and GenAI developer tooling.

• Ability to track key metrics and consistently meet established Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

• Ability to understand complex technical problems and identify areas of risk.

• Ability to ‘go deep’ technically when necessary. You should be able to contribute changes to the team’s codebases at any time.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

• Proven track record of building and retaining high-performing teams

TOTAL REWARDS

At Bestow, we’re proud to be awarded for our team members, innovative products, and culture. Our standard benefits include:

• Competitive salary and equity based on role

• Policies and managers that support work/life balance, like our flexible paid time off and parental leave programs

• 100% paid-premium option for medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Lifestyle stipend to support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing

• Flexible work-from-home policy and open to remote

• Remote and WFH options, as well as a beautiful, state-of-the-art office in Dallas’ Deep Ellum, for those who prefer an office setting

• Employee-led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

Recent Employer Awards include:

• Best Place for Working Parents 2023 + 2024 + 2025

• Great Place to Work Certified, 2022 + 2023 + 2024 + 2025

• Built In Best Places to Work, 2022 + 2023 + 2025

• Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Texas 2022 + 2023

• Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance 2022 + 2023 + 2024

We value diversity at Bestow. The company will hire, recruit, and promote regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We understand the importance of creating a safe and comfortable work environment and encourage individualism and authenticity in every team member.

Thanks for considering a job at Bestow!