Technical Director

Berkeley, CA
Contract - Hybrid / Contract
smartdept. is searching for a Technical Lead for a creative agency client located in Berkeley, CA. The ideal candidate will come with 4+ years of experience building custom websites and/or digital products. This is a contract-based, hybrid, 6+ month contract opportunity with the possibility of extension or conversion to a long-term role.
As a Technical Lead, you’ll take the reins on technical planning and execution for digital projects, collaborating closely with creative and product teams to deliver standout marketing sites and robust digital products. You’ll own the technical approach from discovery through delivery, ensuring every build is thoughtfully architected, well-scoped, and executed to high standards.
What You’ll Do:
  • Lead technical planning and hands-on execution across a range of digital projects, from marketing websites to interactive platforms
  • Define and document technical architecture and requirements, making informed decisions about frameworks, CMSs, and backend integrations
  • Partner with the Head of Product to scope projects, estimate timelines, and shape actionable development plans
  • Coordinate development workflows, including sprint planning, daily standups, and developer check-ins
  • Create and manage tasks using tools like Asana or Jira, keeping the team aligned and unblocked
  • Mentor and support frontend and full-stack developers, maintaining high standards for code quality and efficiency
  • Build and maintain scalable front-end and full-stack solutions using modern tools and platforms
  • Collaborate with designers to bring creative ideas to life in code that’s beautiful, accessible, and functional
  • Handle technical edge cases, conduct code reviews, and ensure each build meets performance and accessibility standards
  • Continuously improve internal development practices, documentation, and technical collaboration
What You’ll Need:
  • 4+ years of experience building custom websites and/or digital products
  • Strong expertise in React, TypeScript, and Next.js
  • Experience working with headless CMS platforms (e.g., Prismic, Sanity)
  • Familiarity with backend integrations, including GraphQL, Firebase, Supabase, and AWS services
  • Proficiency with Git-based workflows and modern deployment pipelines
  • Hands-on experience deploying sites and applications using Vercel or Netlify
  • Comfort managing tasks and projects with Asana or Jira
  • Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to keep teams aligned and help non-technical collaborators understand key decisions
  • A passion for clean, scalable code and detail-oriented implementation
Nice-to-Have Skills:
  • Experience mentoring or leading development teams
  • Familiarity with additional modern frameworks or cloud services
  • Enthusiasm for creative, design-driven environments
Technical Director
I am interested in this job.