Engineering Leadership
Team scaling, hiring, process improvement, and organizational development for engineering teams.
About - Human Duct Tape for your engineering organization
I'm Mark Thomas, a principal engineer and author who helps early-stage startups and growing companies build exceptional engineering teams and ship thoughtful software.
Whether you need strategic technical leadership, hands-on development, or organizational guidance, I provide the engineering expertise to help your company succeed.
My experience spans from individual contributor to CTO, giving me unique insight into the challenges engineering organizations face at every stage of growth.
- Years of experience
- 15+
- Leadership roles
- Startup
- React in Action
- Author
Experience - Engineering leadership across the full spectrum.
From individual contributor to CTO, I bring deep technical expertise and leadership experience to help your engineering organization thrive.
- Technical Leadership. Engineering management, team building, and technical strategy for early-stage startups and growing companies.
- Full-Stack Development. Hands-on development across modern web technologies, from React and Node.js to cloud infrastructure and APIs.
- Community Building. Share lessons through writing, podcast appearances, and mentoring to support the broader engineering community.
Professional Background
I'm a principal engineer and published author with 15+ years of experience building elegant, impactful software and products. As an engineering manager and entrepreneur, I have a passion for developing exceptional engineering teams.
I've spent my career inside startups, working in principal engineer and leadership roles that span product development, architecture, and team coaching. That mix lets me understand the unique challenges early-stage companies face from both the builder and organizational perspective.
Beyond hands-on work, I share what I learn through writing, talks, and mentoring. I authored React in Action, published by Manning Publications, and regularly publish technical articles and insights on software development and engineering leadership.
My approach is pragmatic and flexible—I believe in being the “Human Duct Tape” that helps engineering organizations solve their most pressing challenges, whether that's technical, organizational, or strategic.
Expertise that spans the engineering spectrum
Whether you need strategic technical leadership or hands-on development, I provide the engineering expertise to help your company succeed.
Startup CTO Services
Fractional CTO support for pre-seed to Series A startups, focusing on 0-1 product development.
Technical Architecture
System design, technology selection, API development, and infrastructure strategy.
Team Development
1:1 coaching, career advancement guidance, and technical mentoring for engineering professionals.
Tell me about your project
- ifelse, LLC
Building in Pasadena, CA
I typically work with only one or two teams at a time so every engagement stays high-touch.