At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the migration to a new data pipeline while ensuring customer satisfaction and product delivery.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on innovation and engineering excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of engineering.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on accountability, innovation, and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact by transforming engineering practices and integrating AI into workflows.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering with leadership experience in platform or data organisations.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Requirements
- 10+ years engineering experience, with 5+ years leading platform, data, or infrastructure organizations as VP Engineering, Head of Engineering, or equivalent
- Led at least one major platform migration or large-scale rebuild, with continuous customer service maintained throughout
- Operated low-latency, high-availability distributed systems with multi-tenant SaaS workloads at production scale
- Production experience integrating AI into engineering workflows, including agent-assisted development and AI-driven automation
- Strong product partnership instincts - you have shaped what gets built and how it ships
- Track record of building accountable, high-ownership engineering organizations
- Direct experience in one or more relevant domains: blockchain or crypto, fintech, payments, fraud or risk platforms, regulatory technology, or large-scale data platforms
What the job involves
Crystal's engineering organization has grown organically. The current architecture serves a large and loyal customer base, but it is reaching the limits of what feature-driven growth can sustain. In parallel, we have built a new data pipeline architecture led by a dedicated platform team. The strategic priority for 2026 is to migrate Crystal end-to-end from the legacy stack to the new pipeline - without disrupting customer SLAs, while continuing to ship the product roadmap, and while rebuilding engineering management discipline. The VP of Engineering will own this migration. The mission is concrete: deliver the new pipeline into production behind every Crystal product, restore platform-grade latency and reliability, and convert the existing organization into one that ships predictably and uses AI as a productivity multiplier.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the platform migration end-to-end
- Lead the integration of the new data pipeline into all Crystal products: Crystal Expert, Crystal Foresight, Monitor, Risk Check API, Data Intelligence, and Crystal Light
- Sequence the migration to preserve revenue and customer trust: no SLA regressions, no rollback drama, no surprise downtime
- Drive the architectural decisions and trade-offs that the legacy-to-new transition requires, including data model alignment, service-by-service cutover, and parallel-run validation
- Hold engineering, product, and customer success aligned on a single migration roadmap with clear customer-impact gates
- Restore platform foundations
- Bring API and core platform latency back to target: 1,000 RPS at sub-two-second latency, scaling toward 10k RPS
- Reduce database load, fix stability regressions exposed by recent releases, raise release velocity to multiple deployments per week
- Lead the multi-chain platform with discipline across 100+ chains: predictable integration timelines, accountable squad ownership, clear SLAs to commercial partners
- Rebuild the engineering management layer
- Partner with the existing engineering leadership to establish clear accountability across squad leads, engineering managers, and platform teams
- Set the standard for what good engineering management looks like at Crystal: predictable delivery, transparent planning, technical depth, people development
- Make the hiring, performance, and structural decisions required to bring the organization to the level the platform demands
- Drive AI into engineering as a productivity lever
- Build shared infrastructure for AI-assisted engineering: code generation, automated testing, agent-based migration tooling, internal knowledge systems
- Move Crystal from individual AI tool usage to organization-wide AI productivity, with measurable impact on delivery throughput
- Reduce OpEx-to-revenue through architectural improvements, automation, and reduction of manual operational load
- Partner with the business
- Work directly with product, GTM, customer success, and finance to translate engineering investments into customer outcomes and revenue
- Communicate trade-offs, risks, and progress clearly to the executive team and board
- Own the engineering budget, hiring plan, and vendor decisions
What Success Looks Like (12 Months)
- New data pipeline architecture is in production powering Crystal's core products
- Customer SLAs are met or exceeded throughout the migration; no customer churn attributable to platform instability
- Latency restored and improved; release cadence shifted from monthly to weekly or faster
- Engineering management layer operating with clear accountability and predictable delivery
- AI-assisted engineering infrastructure deployed and measurable productivity gains realised
- OpEx-to-revenue ratio meaningfully reduced toward target
Vice President of Engineering employer: Crystal Blockchain Analytics
At Crystal, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and accountability. As the Vice President of Engineering, you will lead a talented team through a critical platform migration while enjoying a collaborative work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on integrating cutting-edge AI technologies and a commitment to maintaining high customer satisfaction, Crystal offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the fintech space.
Contact Details:
Crystal Blockchain Analytics Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President of Engineering
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Vice President of Engineering role you’re after at Crystal Blockchain Analytics.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Crystal Blockchain Analytics a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Crystal Blockchain Analytics.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Vice President of Engineering at Crystal Blockchain Analytics, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Vice President of Engineering, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Crystal Blockchain Analytics a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Crystal Blockchain Analytics specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Crystal Blockchain Analytics
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Crystal Blockchain Analytics, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Crystal Blockchain Analytics want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
