Opportunity at
VercelEngineering Manager, CDN
Vercel is seeking an Engineering Manager for its CDN team to oversee the core infrastructure that drives performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency across all customer requests. Vercel…
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About This Role
Vercel is seeking an Engineering Manager for its CDN team to oversee the core infrastructure that drives performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency across all customer requests. Vercel functions as an agentic infrastructure company, helping builders and AI agents take software from concept to production with speed and security. Trusted by millions of developers and organizations such as OpenAI, PayPal, Ramp, and Supreme, the company builds its products in the open. In…
Job Description
Vercel is seeking an Engineering Manager for its CDN team to oversee the core infrastructure that drives performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency across all customer requests. Vercel functions as an agentic infrastructure company, helping builders and AI agents take software from concept to production with speed and security. Trusted by millions of developers and organizations such as OpenAI, PayPal, Ramp, and Supreme, the company builds its products in the open.
In this leadership position, you will direct the team managing the proxy, edge caching, and content delivery network systems. Your core responsibilities include maintaining exceptional operational metrics regarding latency, reliability, and cost of goods sold, while translating high-level business strategy into a structured execution roadmap. This is strictly a management position rather than an individual contributor role, meaning your primary focus is coaching, delegation, and building team alignment, though you may occasionally write code to build prototypes or remove roadblocks.
This opportunity is well-suited for an experienced engineering leader who combines deep technical expertise in distributed systems with strong people management skills. You will foster a culture of high autonomy, trust, and psychological safety, utilizing timely feedback and skilled facilitation during technical disagreements.
Responsibilities
- Manage the team responsible for Vercel content delivery networks, proxy systems, and edge caching
- Ensure high standards for system reliability, latency, and cost efficiency
- Translate broader business goals and product strategies into actionable engineering roadmaps
- Grow team members, establish clear performance expectations, and provide candid feedback
- Facilitate technical discussions, resolve conflicts, and drive alignment across organizations
- Write code selectively when it serves as the highest leverage action for prototyping or unblocking work
Requirements
- At least 8 years of experience building and operating large distributed systems
- At least 3 years of engineering management experience
- Demonstrated background in leading proxy, caching, edge, content delivery networks, or similar high-throughput and low-latency infrastructure
- Proven capability to convert business objectives into technical strategies and align cross-functional teams
- Track record of building psychological safety, trust, and clear expectations while offering candid feedback
- Proficiency in HTTP, TLS, load shedding, capacity planning, caching mechanisms, cost optimization, and observability
Qualifications
- Experience managing other engineering managers
- Familiarity with Node, Lua, or Go at the edge
- Background in facilitating high-signal hiring processes
- Experience collaborating with product management or product marketing on customer-facing narratives
Core Skills
Benefits
- Competitive compensation package including equity
- Inclusive healthcare package
- Learning and growth budget, including event attendance and mentorship
- Flexible time off
- Company-provided work gear and a work-from-home setup budget
- Eligibility for a company bonus or variable pay program depending on the role
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the location and remote status for the Engineering Manager, CDN role?
The source posting states the position is on-site, but does not specify a fixed location beyond mentioning a San Francisco, California base pay range and noting that compensation outside of San Francisco may be adjusted based on employee location.
What is the salary range for this position?
The base pay range for San Francisco, California is $196,000 to $336,000 per year. Actual pay depends on job-related skills, experience, and location, and the total package may also include equity, benefits, and variable pay.
Is this a coding or a management role?
This is a management role rather than a principal individual contributor position. You will code only when it provides the highest leverage, such as building prototypes or unblocking the team, with your default focus resting on coaching, delegation, and strategic alignment.
What are the core experience requirements?
Candidates must have at least 8 years of experience building and operating large-scale distributed systems, along with a minimum of 3 years of engineering management experience and a background in leading CDN, proxy, caching, or similar low-latency infrastructure.
Sample Interview Questions
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