Erika Rice Scherpelz
About Erika Rice Scherpelz
Erika Rice Scherpelz is the Head of Engineering at Sourcegraph, with a diverse background in software engineering and management across several prominent companies, including Google and Flexport. She holds degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College and the University of Washington, and is actively involved in promoting systems thinking.
Current Role at Sourcegraph
Erika Rice Scherpelz currently serves as the Head of Engineering at Sourcegraph, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing engineering operations and driving technical initiatives within the company. Her leadership focuses on fostering collaboration among teams and enhancing the overall engineering strategy.
Previous Experience at Flexport
Prior to her current role, Erika worked at Flexport as the Director of Data Platform Engineering from 2022 to 2023. During her tenure, she managed data engineering projects and contributed to the development of data platforms that supported the company's logistics operations. Her experience at Flexport added to her extensive background in data management and engineering.
Career at Google
Erika has a significant history with Google, where she held multiple roles over several years. She served as a Senior Software Engineering Manager and Staff Software Engineer for Google Maps from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, she worked as a Software Engineer focused on Data Analysis Tools from 2007 to 2010 and as a Technology Lead Manager for Google+ Social Graph from 2011 to 2016. Her roles involved leading teams and managing large-scale projects.
Educational Background
Erika earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College, where she studied from 2000 to 2004. She then pursued a Master of Science degree in Computer Science at the University of Washington, completing her studies from 2004 to 2006. Her education laid the foundation for her career in engineering and technology.
Involvement in Community and Interests
Erika is a member of FLUX, a group focused on making systems thinking accessible to a wider audience. She has a strong interest in complexity and systems, particularly their intersection with human systems. Additionally, her office features a wall dedicated to board games, reflecting her passion for strategic thinking and collaboration.