Director of Engineering (AI-Native) (South America)
Overview:
Nerdy is looking for an innovative and AI-native Director of Software Engineering (Full Time Contractor) based in South America to lead our engineering team. As the Director of Software Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in driving forward our mission of helping people learn by leading a dynamic team of software engineers who support our institutional business. You will be responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of cutting-edge educational technology solutions that enable schools and districts to provide high-quality, personalized learning experiences for students.
About Nerdy:
At Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY) - the company behind Varsity Tutors - we’re redrawing the blueprint of learning. Our Live + AI™ platform fuses real-time human expertise with proprietary generative-AI systems, setting a new bar for measurable academic impact at global scale.
We recruit the kind of technologists and operators you’d bet on as solo founders - people who turn ambiguous problems into shipping code, iterate faster than markets move, and compound their advantage with every data point. In an era where great employees can deliver 10-times the leverage of the merely good, we back those who play to win.
Fortune favors the bold. Join us.
How we compete:
AI-Native at every level
From the CEO to day-one hires, everyone builds and ships with generative AI. If you’re not wielding AI, you’re not done.Entrepreneurial velocity
Move at founder speed, prototype in hours, and measure in real user outcomes. Slow teams die.Free-market rigor
Ideas rise or fall on merit and results - no committees, no politics, no cap on upside.Full-stack ownership
You design, build, and run what you ship; accountability is a feature, not a bug.Reward for contribution
Pay rises with impact, not years. Outstanding results earn outsized rewards. We evaluate both what you achieve and how you achieve it: living our leadership principles and using AI effectively are formally measured and rewarded.Relentless exploration
Push the frontier of generative AI in live learning and - because only the paranoid survive - questioning every legacy assumption along the way.Is Apolitical
You stay focused on mission-aligned outcomes, not distractions or unrelated causes.
If you’re a technically minded builder who thrives on open competition, personal responsibility, and the chance to redefine how the world learns - while continually stretching the limits of what generative AI can do - come do the most ambitious and rewarding work of your career here. Learn more at nerdy.com.
Nerdy’s shareholder letters below explain our latest products and strategy:
Qualifications:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
Proven experience (8+ years) in software engineering leadership roles.
Strong background in educational technology or related industries.
Exceptional technical expertise in software development and architecture.
Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and modern development tools.
Strong communication and leadership skills.
Proven ability to manage teams and projects effectively.
Visionary thinking with a focus on innovation.
Experienced with AI-native tools that enhance productivity and speed (Cursor, Make.com, Supabase, Netlify, Claude Code, n8n, Firecrawl, ChatGPT, Grok, Bolt, Vercel, etc).
Responsibilities:
Provide strategic technical leadership, guiding the software engineering team in the design, development, and delivery of innovative learning technology solutions.
Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing team of software engineers, ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support needed to excel.
Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, and quality assurance, to drive the development and enhancement of our educational technology products.
Develop and execute a technology roadmap that aligns with the company's vision, staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
Establish and maintain high standards of software quality, overseeing testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and scalability of our products.
Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule and within budget.
Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders,both internally and externally, to understand their needs and continuously improve our solutions.
Drive a culture of innovation within the engineering team, encouraging the exploration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance our products.
Unlock Your Full Potential at Nerdy:
Join our worldwide team—work from home, get great pay, and help shape the future of learning. Here’s what you get:
Competitive USD Compensation: Enjoy a market-leading rate paid in U.S. dollars.
100% Remote (Home Country Only): Work from anywhere in your home country—no relocation required, no borders crossed.
Flexible Time Off: Our flexible PTO lets you recharge on your own terms and when you need it the most.
Local Holiday Pay: We honor your nation’s official holidays with paid time off—celebrate what matters to you.
Continuous Learning: Get a free, all-inclusive learning membership for you and your household—including 1-on-1 tutoring hours, unlimited on-demand classes, and access to our full suite of learning products and services.
Supercharge with AI: Gain exclusive access to cutting-edge AI tools that boost your productivity, making you feel almost super-human (cape not included).
Feedback-Rich, Collaborative Culture: Tap into regular training, peer reviews, and a team that treats every team member as a vital collaborator and owner in our success.
Make a Global Impact: Your expertise fuels an innovative platform used by learners around the world—be part of something transformative.
The Bottom Line:
If you're driven by impact, energized by ownership, and excited to help shape what’s next, you’ll thrive here. We move fast, think big, and reward those who deliver. This isn’t a traditional corporate environment - it’s a place to do the most meaningful work of your career.
