Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of Platform Engineering
at Overstory
🏢 About Overstory
Overstory uses real-time satellite data to combat climate change by reducing wildfire risk and improving grid reliability. This mission-driven company offers the rare opportunity to apply technical leadership directly to environmental protection. Their focus on satellite data for actionable insights makes them unique in the climate tech space.
About This Role
As Director of Platform Engineering at Overstory, you'll own the platform strategy across Platform, MLOps, and SRE functions, ensuring alignment with the company's climate mission. You'll define the platform vision while overseeing MLOps systems that support critical wildfire prediction models in production. This role directly impacts the reliability of systems that protect communities and infrastructure from climate disasters.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start your day reviewing platform metrics and incident reports from satellite data ingestion systems, then meet with ML teams to discuss model deployment needs for new wildfire prediction features. Afternoon could involve coaching platform managers on reliability standards and collaborating with security on compliance requirements for grid monitoring systems.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Overstory Is Looking For
- Has 10+ years leading platform/infrastructure teams in scaling startups, with specific experience in climate tech or data-intensive environments
- Possesses deep expertise in GCP, Kubernetes, and modern DevOps practices, with proven experience supporting ML systems in production (model deployment, monitoring, lifecycle management)
- Demonstrates excellent people leadership skills including coaching managers and building inclusive teams in remote environments
- Understands how to balance platform reliability with the rapid iteration needs of ML teams working on time-sensitive climate solutions
📝 Tips for Applying to Overstory
Highlight specific experience with satellite data, geospatial platforms, or climate-related technologies in your resume
Demonstrate how you've scaled platform teams in mission-driven startups, not just any tech company
Prepare concrete examples of ML systems you've supported in production, especially related to environmental data or predictive modeling
Show your understanding of GCP's ML and geospatial services (like Earth Engine, Vertex AI) rather than generic cloud experience
Emphasize cross-functional collaboration experience with ML, data, and product teams in remote settings
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for applying technical leadership to climate change solutions', 'Specific examples of scaling platform teams in mission-driven environments', 'Experience with ML systems in production, particularly for environmental or predictive applications', "How you've partnered cross-functionally to align platform strategy with product goals in remote settings"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Overstory's specific wildfire prediction and grid monitoring products and how they use satellite data
- → The company's recent funding rounds and growth trajectory in the climate tech space
- → Their technology stack mentions in blog posts or tech talks (look for GCP, Kubernetes, ML tooling specifics)
- → Their leadership team's background and public statements about climate mission and technical approach
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on generic platform experience without connecting it to ML systems or climate applications
- Presenting yourself as purely technical without demonstrating people leadership and cross-functional partnership skills
- Showing limited understanding of how platform reliability directly impacts Overstory's mission to prevent wildfires and improve grid reliability
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!