Pod Lead

Overview

We are seeking a Pod Lead to provide hands-on technical leadership and end-to-end delivery ownership for a cross-functional engineering pod. This role serves as the technical anchor for the pod, driving the design, development, and release of scalable, cloud-native solutions across frontend, backend, DevOps, QA, and AI-enabled capabilities. The Pod Lead partners closely with product, UX, and architecture teams to translate business needs into secure, reliable, and high-quality solutions that align with enterprise standards and engineering best practices.

Primary Location: Across Canada or USA

Work Model: Fully Remote

Employment Type: Contractor

Vacancy Status: New

Responsibilities

* Provide hands-on technical leadership across frontend, backend, DevOps, and QA within the pod

* Define and govern solution architecture using Azure cloud, microservices, and cloud-native design patterns

* Lead design and implementation using .NET / C#, Blazor, Python, Azure DevOps, and relational and NoSQL databases

* Guide development of chatbot and GenAI-enabled applications including conversational workflows and integration patterns

* Review and approve technical designs, API contracts, and system integration approaches

* Ensure alignment with security, performance, scalability, and reliability best practices

* Own end-to-end delivery of pod scope including planning, execution, and release readiness

* Break down product requirements into technical workstreams and sprint deliverables

* Lead technical planning, estimation, and backlog refinement activities

* Track delivery progress, manage risks, and proactively resolve technical blockers

* Ensure timely delivery while maintaining high engineering quality standards

* Provide technical direction, coaching, and mentorship to engineers across disciplines

* Conduct code reviews and enforce coding standards and best practices

* Act as the primary technical liaison between product, UX, architecture, and engineering teams

* Collaborate with platform and enterprise architecture teams to ensure solution alignment

* Oversee implementation of automated testing, performance validation, and quality assurance strategies

* Guide CI/CD implementation and DevSecOps practices

* Promote continuous improvement in engineering processes and delivery workflows

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

* Strong hands-on experience designing and building enterprise-scale applications

* Proven expertise in .NET / C# for backend service development

* Experience with Blazor Server and Blazor WebAssembly for frontend development

* Proficiency in Python for automation, AI, or data processing use cases

* Solid experience with Azure cloud services and cloud-native architectures

* Experience implementing microservices and API-based integration patterns

* Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or similar platforms

* Experience with both relational and NoSQL database technologies

* Demonstrated ability to lead technical design and delivery in agile environments

* Strong understanding of secure software development and DevSecOps principles

* Ability to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions

* Excellent collaboration and communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders

NICE TO HAVE

* Experience delivering GenAI or conversational AI solutions in enterprise environments

* Exposure to AI integration patterns and modern data pipelines

* Experience with performance testing and large-scale system optimization

* Background working within regulated or highly governed environments

* Experience leading or scaling high-performing engineering teams

About Adastra

Adastra is a global leader in AI and data-driven transformation, helping organizations lead with artificial intelligence—responsibly, strategically, and at scale. With over 25 years of experience, Adastra empowers enterprise clients to unlock business value through data innovation, operational excellence, and smart customer engagement.

Trusted by some of the world’s most prominent brands, Adastra delivers end-to-end solutions grounded in thoughtful strategy, robust governance, and deep technical expertise. From defining vision to ensuring execution, Adastra guides organizations through every stage of their AI, data and cloud journey—building future-ready capabilities and delivering measurable, lasting impact.

Adastra serves clients across key industries including financial services, automotive, manufacturing, technology, media and telecom (TMT), healthcare, retail, and professional services. The company employs more than 2,000 professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia.

What We Offer

* Opportunity for advancement and career progression

* Competitive compensation

* Successful referral program

* The opportunity to work with one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies

* Satisfaction of working for a reputable company

* A flexible, dynamic, and diverse workplace

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In our commitment to promote fair and equitable treatment of all employees and applicants, Adastra Corporation provides equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other ground as described in the Ontario Human Rights Code. In addition, accommodation will be provided during the hiring process. Adastra Corporation’s implementation and support of employment initiatives, encourage diversified labour force participation and equal access to opportunities based on merit and performance.

AI Usage - Our hiring process includes the use of AI-enabled tools to screen applications (e.g., keyword matching, qualification ranking). A human recruiter reviews all AI-generated shortlists to make informed hiring decisions.

There has been an increased instance of fraudulent job offers coming from people posing as Adastra HR employees. Please note that Adastra will never request fees as part of our recruiting process and any emails sent to you that are not from ‘@adastragrp.com’ or ‘@talent.icims.com’ are fraudulent. All employment offers are sent via DocuSign and if you receive an employment offer from a suspicious email and not via DocuSign, it is fraudulent.

Contact [email protected] to inquire about jobs at Adastra, to report a suspicious request for money or personal information from external websites or suspicious employment offers