True Edge Tuesday with Jake Rutter

Share
True edge tuesday (28)

Jake thrives on teamwork and fast-moving challenges. He turns complex problems into clear solutions, leading his team to achieve big results, including a major platform migration in just 30 days. 

Meet Jake!

Jake Rutter has over 20 years of experience in digital and web development, including UX/UI design, web architecture, software engineering, and e-commerce. He is Senior Director of DTC Engineering at SharkNinja, where he leads a collaborative team delivering scalable solutions on the Salesforce platform. 

Known for his positive, solution-oriented approach, he brings a design mindset to engineering, helping teams break down complex challenges while keeping the consumer in focus. 

Outrageously Extraordinary in Action

Just six weeks into his time at SharkNinja, Jake was tasked with leading a major technology project that involved moving critical systems to a new platform in under 30 days.

Undeterred, he assembled a small but mighty cross-functional team including security, infrastructure, ops, and engineering and partnered with external experts. From the start, Jake dove in to understand the full scope of the project, mapping out existing systems, asking insightful questions, and creating clarity for the team. His efforts built a strong foundation that kept the project moving smoothly and efficiently.

Along the way, the team encountered unexpected user behavior. Through focused collaboration, careful investigation, and creative problem-solving, Jake identified the root cause and implemented a quick solution, turning a potential challenge into a breakthrough.

What made this project truly outrageously extraordinary was not just completing it in 28 days, far ahead of schedule, but that Jake stepped outside his usual role, worked tirelessly, and led with both humor and humility.

Hear from Jake

What does it mean to be Outrageously Extraordinary (OE)? 

To me, being Outrageously Extraordinary means showing up with a positive, can-do mindset and pushing yourself and others to go beyond what’s comfortable. It’s about staying focused on the consumer, collaborating closely with others toward a shared goal, and creating the path forward when it doesn’t yet exist. I thrive in high-pressure moments, where teams dig in together, find that “fifth gear,” and deliver their best work. 

 

True Edge is described as “a key principle of the OE mindset, combining vigilance, innovative insight, and strategic solutions to create a competitive advantage that is exceptionally hard to replicate.”    

What’s your True Edge, or what are you working to build? 

What I’m working to build is a team of thinkers and doers, who are curious, collaborative types who dig in, solve problems, and move with purpose. We combine strategic thinking with execution by breaking complex challenges into focused solutions, asking “why,” and constantly learning.  

At the heart of it all is the consumer, especially in e-commerce, where every decision should help remove friction, improve the experience, and drive conversion. I believe in building a culture of experimentation, where small tests lead can bring learnings, and curiosity is celebrated because the technology and customer expectations evolve every day. Just as important, I want to create a team others love working with, one that brings a positive attitude, a sense of calm to complexity, and a spirit of fun in everything we do. 

 

Can you share examples of how you live OE?   

I live OE by constantly pushing myself to grow, both at work and in life. My mind is always going: reading, learning, thinking ahead, and finding ways to challenge and support others. I try to approach each day with a positive attitude and a calm, solution-oriented mindset. I believe communication is one of the biggest barriers to getting things done, I invest time into creating alignment between teams through meetings, whiteboarding, plans to continually ensure we’re aligned on the real problem before jumping to solutions. 

 

 What makes working at SharkNinja special?  

What makes SharkNinja special to me is the energy — it’s fast-paced, forward-moving, and filled with people who want to jump in and solve real problems. That vibe really aligns with how I like to work. I show up every day ready to go, with a good attitude and a smile, because I genuinely love the momentum here. There’s always something new to take on, and the team-first, hands-on culture makes even the toughest challenges feel possible. It’s the kind of environment that pushes you, supports you, and keeps things exciting. 

The variety of challenges and opportunities that land in my lap keep things fresh, and no two days are ever the same. I love looking back at the end of a week and realizing how much we’ve accomplished. There’s room to lead, room to learn, and a shared sense of momentum that makes it exciting to come to work every day. 

Please join us in congratulating Jake for being this week's True Edge Tuesday!

About True Edge Tuesday 

At SharkNinja, we strive for the outrageously extraordinary in everything we do, driven by our True Edge – the super skills that set us apart. This cornerstone of the outrageously extraordinary (OE) mindset harnesses innovative insight and strategic solutions to create a competitive advantage, empowering us to positively impact people’s lives every day.   

True Edge Tuesday celebrates team members who go above and beyond, showcasing what it means to reject the status quo and embrace the extraordinary.