Job Title: Android Tech Lead
Job Location: Chicago, IL - Hybrid
Job Duration: 6 to 12 Months (Contract to Hire)

About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Android Tech Lead to join our global technology consulting team. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with client engagement responsibilities, requiring you to drive mobile application development excellence while managing distributed teams and stakeholder relationships across multiple time zones.
As a Tech Lead, you will be at the forefront of delivering innovative mobile solutions for our enterprise clients, leading cross-functional teams, and establishing technical standards that ensure scalable, high-quality deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership & Architecture:

• Lead the design and architecture of complex Android applications for enterprise clients
• Define and enforce mobile development standards, coding guidelines, and best practices across projects
• Drive technical decision-making for technology stack selection, architectural patterns, and integration approaches
• Conduct code reviews and provide technical mentorship to development teams
• Stay current with emerging mobile technologies, frameworks, and industry trends

Team Management & Collaboration:

• Manage and mentor distributed development teams across multiple geographies and time zones
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including UX/UI designers, backend engineers, QA specialists, and DevOps teams
• Facilitate agile ceremonies and ensure efficient delivery processes
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on continuous learning and knowledge sharing
• Provide technical guidance and career development support to team members

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for client stakeholders
• Lead technical discussions, solution presentations, and architecture reviews with client leadership
• Translate business requirements into technical specifications and feasible solutions
• Manage client expectations regarding technical deliverables, timelines, and project scope
• Build and maintain strong relationships with client technical teams and decision-makers

Quality & Process Improvement:

• Establish and drive quality assurance processes including automated testing strategies
• Implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines for mobile applications
• Lead initiatives to improve development productivity, code quality, and delivery efficiency
• Drive adoption of industry best practices for mobile security, performance optimization, and accessibility
• Champion engineering excellence through metrics-driven improvement initiatives

Project Delivery:

• Ensure on-time delivery of mobile applications that meet client requirements and quality standards
• Manage technical risks and provide mitigation strategies
• Coordinate release management processes and post-deployment support
• Participate in pre-sales activities and technical proposal development

Required Qualifications:
Technical Expertise:

• 8+ years of mobile application development experience with strong expertise in Android platform
• Proficiency in Kotlin, Java for Android development
• Strong experience in using modern UI frameworks like Jetpack Compose
• Strong understanding of mobile architecture patterns (MVP, MVVM, MVI, Clean Architecture)
• Hands-on experience with mobile testing frameworks and automation tools
• Knowledge of backend integration, RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and microservices architecture
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and mobile-specific services
• Understanding of mobile security best practices, data encryption, and compliance requirements

Leadership & Management:

• 3+ years of experience leading development teams of 5-15 members
• Proven track record of managing distributed and remote teams across different time zones
• Experience with agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and project management tools
• Strong communication and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior and mid-level developers

Client & Business Acumen:

• Direct client-facing experience in a consulting or service-based environment
• Experience working with Fortune 500 clients and understanding enterprise requirements
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and vice versa
• Experience in stakeholder management and building long-term client relationships
• Understanding of software development lifecycle in enterprise environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools (Jenkins, GitLab CI, Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience with mobile analytics, crash reporting, and performance monitoring tools
• Previous experience in digital transformation projects
• Understanding of industry-specific compliance requirements (retail, healthcare, finance, etc.)