Welcome to Tessera

Tessera is a customer-obsessed, real, outcome-driven search firm dedicated to the software engineering community.

We help exceptional, venture-backed startups build world-class engineering teams. Our approach is human-first and we believe boutique is king. This mindset leads to the best possible outcomes for engineers and our partners.

How we work

Human-First
No hard pitch. Relationship-first.

Customer-Obsessed
Dedication to results + good outcomes.

Boutique
Deep specialism, focus and high touch.

Meet our team members

Lewis Fegan
Founder
Tessera

Archie Reynolds
Advisor
CPO, Titan

Emily Man
Advisor
Partner, Primary Ventures

Harry Ledley
Advisor
Engineering, Ramp

Engineers like working with us, look what they have to say

“Lewis stands out from nearly every recruiter I’ve worked with. He genuinely has your best interests at heart and takes the time to deeply understand what you’re looking for in your career. He only represents top-tier companies that he truly believes in, which means that no matter what you’re seeking, he’s likely to have an exciting opportunity that will interest you. Whether you’re actively searching for your next role or simply looking to build your network, Lewis is someone you need to know.”

Allen Horn
Software Engineer
Stripe
“At the beginning of 2025, Lewis helped me find the perfect next job for me. Throughout the process: * Lewis introduced me to more than a dozen companies. All of which were interesting, high-growth, and had a ton of exciting opportunities. I felt like I was talking to the cream of the NYC crop. * Lewis helped me know where to spend my time in prep, what companies were looking for, and helped call out what strengths I should emphasize with each company. * Lewis also acted as a guide and advocate throughout the process. He gave me insights into how companies were thinking, how long the process should take, what to expect, etc. I felt much more confident and knowledgeable because I was working with Lewis. * At the end, when it came time to decide between 3 or 4 offers, Lewis acted as a great sounding board. He listened, adding a few ideas, but mostly helped me feel confident in picking the job that was right for me. After going through the process of finding a job while working with Lewis, I cannot imagine going through it alone. I felt like I always had the info I need and the right opportunities for me. Lewis even took time on the weekends and out of a vacation to make sure I had what I needed. If you are looking for a job, Lewis will help you find a better job more easily. You will not be disappointed!”

Alex Etling
Staff Software Engineer
January
“Finding a new job (in this, and any market) can be a humbling, vulnerable and (hopefully) ultimately, a rewarding experience. In times like these, Lewis shines. He's positive, professional, enthusiastic, detail-oriented, smart, funny and puts you in your zone of excellence. He brings out the best - because he's one of the best. I was lucky enough to work with Lewis in finding my next role and consider him a friend. If you're reading this recommendation and thinking about what your next role could look like, get in touch!”

Abhishek Mahanti
Staff Software Engineer
Alchemy
“If I'm ever looking for another role or starting another company I'll work with Lewis again. In October 2024 Lewis helped me find and land a role as a Staff Software Engineer at a unicorn company that was a perfect match for what I was looking for. From our first call I could tell that Lewis cared about understanding the kind of role and company I was looking for, rather than trying to pitch me on him or any company in particular. He was working with an impressive portfolio of companies and connected me with a few. We spoke every few days as I worked through the interview process - he didn't go dark after making the referral like many recruiters. Any time I had questions or concerns Lewis made himself available and resolved them quickly. I can tell that Lewis really cares about making sure every hire is a win for both parties, as well as treating people right in the process. He has great integrity. Thank you Lewis, looking forward to getting together in January!”

William Pride
Staff Software Engineer
Ramp
“Lewis is a fantastic recruiter, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anybody looking to make a career change. He reached out to me through LinkedIn, and by chance I decided to connect. I quickly learned that Lewis is extraordinarily well-connected in the NYC startup scene and really knows the landscape well. Throughout the process, he carefully took the time to understand what I was looking for, connected me to some excellent founders and recruiters in the area, and talked me through every step of the interview process. Lewis was instrumental in helping me land a job that fit my all of my goals. Definitely take the time to talk to him if you're looking for your next job!”

Kyle Yee
Software Engineer
Numeric
“Highly recommend working with Lewis! I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with Lewis during my most recent career transition. I didn’t realize connectors like him existed in the industry—people who genuinely care about helping you find the right opportunity—not just any open role. Lewis took the time to understand my career journey, what excites me, and what kind of opportunity would truly be a great match. We met for coffee a few times, and those conversations were always candid, energizing, and insightful. His guidance on how to approach the search—and his advice when it came time to make decisions—was invaluable. He brings a thoughtful, human approach to the process, checks in regularly, and is honest about the companies he works with. He’s also extremely well-connected and highly respected in the industry. It was clear that when Lewis recommended a candidate, companies listened. I knew I wanted to join an early-stage startup, but it was hard to navigate the noise. Every company sounds exciting until it’s not. Lewis helped me cut through that—his recommendations were thoughtful, vetted, and spot on. I’ll absolutely work with Lewis again in the future. Can’t recommend him highly enough.”

Vishakha Sehgal
Senior Software Engineer
Adaptive

Let’s Talk

Need help building your engineering team? We'd love to hear from you.