Building tech hubs, scaling teams, or navigating transformation.
Independent executive engineering services for companies and professionals.
About
I am Diogo, a Software Engineering executive and technology lover based in Lisbon, helping organizations turn information engineering into measurable business outcomes.
I believe most engineering scaling successes come from the healthy interaction of technical and organizational forces.
Companies with talented engineers only excel when they build or improve the system those engineers work within, especially in the age of agentic AI we live in.
How can I help?
Tech Hub Creation
Full-time dedicated
End-to-end setup and management of high-performing technology hubs, remotely or in Portugal. From location and operating model design to talent strategy and execution governance.
Buildup
- Location Analysis & Setup Strategy
- Operating Model & Organizational Design
- Core Team Talent Acquisition
Scaleup
- Hub Management & Execution Governance
- Engineering Culture & Integration
- Local Leadership Transition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you help me build a fully remote engineering hub?
Yes, I can assist in building a fully remote engineering hub by leveraging the global market of software engineers, ensuring effective communication and collaboration tools, and implementing best practices for remote team management.
How long does it take to build a fully operational hub?
While timelines vary by scale, a typical setup takes 3 to 6 months from initial location analysis and operating model design to onboarding the first core engineering teams and establishing first delivery.
Do you handle legal entity setup and payroll?
I focus on the engineering strategy, operating model, and talent management. For legal, tax, and payroll administration, I partner with legal firms and Employer of Record (EOR) providers to ensure a seamless setup.
How do you ensure the new hub integrates with our existing culture?
I believe a successful hub is a clear extension of your company. I work closely with leadership to design communication structures, align engineering practices, and hire local leaders who champion your core values.
What happens after the hub is established?
The goal is to build a self-sustaining organization. Once the hub reaches stable performance, there's a transition of leadership to a permanent local Site Lead or VP of Engineering, remaining available for strategic advisory if needed.
Why choose Portugal for a new engineering hub?
Portugal offers a strong combination of highly skilled engineering talent, high English proficiency, cultural alignment with European and US teams, and a favorable time zone (WEST/WET) for distributed collaboration.
Fractional CTO
Part-time dedicated
Executive technical leadership on a flexible engagement model, combining operations and strategy to help organizations improve delivery now while building for long-term growth.
Operations
- Process Analysis & Optimization ready for Agentic AI
- System Architecture & Design
- AI Tooling Integration in SDLC
- Project Management and Delivery Oversight
- Career Path Design and Performance Management
- Team Building and Leadership Strategies
- Stakeholder Communication and Alignment Protocols
Strategy
- Digital Transformation Strategy and Implementation
- Technology Roadmapping and Milestones Definition
- Budget Planning and Management
- Business Alignment & OKRs coaching
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the right time to bring in a Fractional CTO?
It is ideal when your company needs executive-level technical strategy, is scaling the engineering team, or facing delivery bottlenecks, but doesn't yet require or have the budget for a full-time executive.
How hands-on are you with the engineering team?
I operate at the executive level, focusing on architecture strategy, process optimization, and mentoring your existing engineering managers or tech leads, participate in system design decision processes, look at code and provide guidance on technical direction.
Can you help us hire a permanent CTO eventually?
Yes. A key part of a fractional engagement is often stabilizing the technology organization, defining the exact profile needed for your permanent CTO, and assisting with the interview and handover process.
How do you align technology decisions with our business goals?
By participating in executive leadership meetings and conversations, understanding your product roadmap and financial constraints, and translating those into a pragmatic technology strategy and clear delivery milestones.
How much time do you dedicate to our company each week?
Engagements are flexible and tailored to your specific needs, typically ranging from 1 to 3 days per week, with full week in peak moments. This ensures you get the strategic focus required while maintaining cost efficiency.
Engineering Leadership Mentorship
Adapted time dedication
A focused mentorship engagement for engineering leaders who need techniques for decision-making, stronger delivery discipline, and clearer leadership execution.
Cycles
- Initial goal-setting session to define priorities and success criteria
- Weekly or bi-weekly 1:1 sessions, depending on urgency and scope
- Practical follow-up actions and accountability between sessions
- Mentorship cycles might run for 6 to 12 weeks
Ad-Hoc sessions
- Flexible 1h sessions based on immediate needs and challenges
- Quick techniques tailored to your current situation, team, or role
- Guidance and critical thinking support on roadmap, stakeholder management, and prioritization
- Coaching for difficult conversations and team performance challenges
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this mentorship designed for?
Engineering Managers, Heads of Engineering, Tech Leads transitioning into management, and technical founders building their engineering teams.
Is this technical mentoring or leadership coaching?
The focus is strictly on engineering leadership, operations, and strategy. We will tackle team performance, stakeholder management, delivery discipline, and organizational design, rather than code-level technical problems (although nerding out on challenges is welcome).
How are the mentorship sessions structured?
Sessions are remote-first and highly practical. For Ad-hoc sessions, we start with a problem contextualization and then go through solution exploration and elimination exercises. Standard session duration is 1 hour but can be extended if possible. For Cycle sessions we start with a goal-setting session, followed by weekly or bi-weekly 1:1s. Every session starts with a review and reflection of previous action items and ends with concrete actions to apply in your day-to-day role.
What is the typical duration of a Cycle engagement?
Mentorship cycles can run for 4 to 12 weeks. This provides enough time to tackle specific leadership challenges, implement changes, and measure the impact on your team's performance. Payment is structured as a fixed-fee cycle, invoiced in EUR, and paid upfront before the cycle begins.
Do I need to be based in Portugal?
Not at all. While Portugal is my home base, I work with engineering leaders and distributed teams globally. Sessions are conducted in English or Portuguese.
Engagement Models
Tech Hub Creation
Tech Hub engagements are typically scoped over 6–18+ months.
Fractional CTO
Fractional CTO engagements typically range from 1–3 days per week, with planned peak moments.
Mentorship
Mentorship cycles are weekly or bi-weekly 1:1 sessions from 6 to 12 weeks, ad-hoc are available upon request and availability.
Case Studies
Scaling a National Book Retail SaaS
Launching an Engineering Hub in Portugal
Scaling into a Multi-Service Engineering Department
Building a Career & Feedback Operating System for Engineering at Scale
Contact
To ensure deep engagement, work is always done with a limited number of clients at any time.
If you want to explore collaboration, reach out through any of the channels below and book a 30-minute discovery call, no commitment required.