Engineering Manager, Rulesets

The Engineering Manager position at Cloudflare involves leading a dedicated team responsible for the rulesets system. This includes prioritizing both short and long-term tasks, supporting the career growth of team members, hiring new talent, ensuring engineering quality, and overseeing incident management processes. You will play a critical role in building relationships with other departments to support their product development needs.

Candidates for the Engineering Manager role at Cloudflare should have at least 2 years of experience in engineering management, coupled with significant hands-on engineering experience. It's essential to have a proven track record of planning, executing projects, and managing diverse teams. Ideal candidates will also possess strong communication skills to maintain clear lines of communication within the organization.

While not mandatory, candidates applying for the Engineering Manager role at Cloudflare will benefit from experience in operating high-performance, large-scale software systems. Additional preferred skills include customer-focused experience and the ability to manage challenging conversations with clients effectively.

At Cloudflare, the growth and development of our Engineering Managers is prioritized through structured support and resources. You will mentor your team members, helping them on their career paths, and you will also have access to a network of professionals to share strategies and insights. We believe in fostering a culture of learning and development, which includes ongoing training and skill enhancement opportunities.

The Engineering Manager position at Cloudflare is unique due to its combination of technical oversight and team leadership within a mission-driven organization. You'll make crucial decisions that affect millions of requests each day while leading a diverse and empathetic team committed to developing their skills and shaping the future of the Internet.

To effectively prioritize tasks, it's crucial to maintain a balance between immediate project needs and long-term strategic goals. Assess the impact of tasks on team performance and customer satisfaction. Use frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into urgent and important categories, ensuring you address critical needs without losing sight of future commitments.

Building and developing a cohesive team requires an understanding of individual strengths and areas for growth. Regular one-on-ones can help you connect with team members, allowing you to offer tailored support. Encourage collaboration and create a culture of feedback to foster learning and development opportunities.

To ensure quality engineering, I promote a thorough review process, including code reviews and testing protocols. Setting clear expectations and metrics for success along with encouraging a culture of accountability will drive performance. It’s also critical to provide ongoing training opportunities to keep the team updated on best practices.

Managing conflicts involves active listening and empathy. I ensure that each team member feels heard and respected by encouraging open communication. Facilitating a discussion to find common ground often helps resolve issues while setting up frameworks for constructive feedback to prevent future conflicts.

Success can be measured through various metrics, including project delivery timelines, team cohesion, and individual growth milestones. Additionally, soliciting feedback from stakeholders and team members provides insight into team performance and can highlight areas for continuous improvement.

When faced with competing priorities, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of each project's impact. I assess each task's urgency and importance, communicate transparently with all stakeholders, and adjust timelines accordingly. Prioritizing tasks effectively often comes down to aligning them with the company's strategic goals.

Facilitating communication can involve setting up regular team meetings and using collaboration tools like Slack or Jira for real-time updates. Encouraging an open-door policy is essential for fostering an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas.

When hiring, I focus on evaluating not just technical skills but cultural fit within the team. I conduct thorough interviews that assess both soft skills and technical aspects. It's essential to ensure that new hires share our values of inclusiveness and collaboration, as these traits contribute to a positive team environment.

Staying updated with industry trends involves subscribing to tech journals, attending conferences, and participating in webinars. Networking with peers in the industry also provides rich insights into emerging technologies and methodologies that could be beneficial for the team.

The most essential quality of an Engineering Manager is the ability to inspire and motivate the team. A great manager fosters a positive work environment, encourages innovation, and provides support for professional development, ultimately driving the team toward achieving both individual and collective goals.