Senior Engineering Manager, Core Product

As a Senior Engineering Manager at Discord, your primary responsibilities will include collaborating with cross-functional teams to shape the roadmap and vision of products, overseeing team performance, and making key product decisions that align with strategic goals. You'll also mentor engineers, ensure high-quality product delivery, and actively engage in discussions around resourcing and team dynamics.

To qualify for the Senior Engineering Manager position at Discord, candidates should have over 5 years of engineering experience across the stack and at least 3 years in a managerial role leading teams of 8 or more. A solid understanding of consumer products, familiarity with Discord, and strong leadership skills are equally important.

Discord is committed to fostering an environment that supports professional growth for Senior Engineering Managers through mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities for skill development. Managers are encouraged to take an active role in their team's success while also being hands-on when necessary, promoting a culture of continuous learning.

Candidates interviewing for the Senior Engineering Manager role at Discord can expect a structured process that assesses both technical and managerial expertise. Interviews may involve discussions around previous projects, leadership experiences, and problem-solving scenarios relevant to product management, as well as a cultural fit with Discord's workplace philosophy.

Discord offers a unique work environment by placing a strong emphasis on community and connection among users, especially within the gaming sphere. As a Senior Engineering Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of communication and engage in innovative projects that affect millions of users, all while working with a talented and passionate team.

Prioritizing tasks involves assessing the impact and urgency of work items. I consider business goals, team capacity, and user feedback, using frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks. I ensure regular communication with stakeholders to align on priorities.

I have led diverse engineering teams, focusing on fostering collaboration and communication. I adapt my leadership style to fit team dynamics, encouraging empowerment and ownership while providing guidance and mentorship to ensure the team meets its objectives.

I employ strategies like setting clear goals, recognizing achievements, and fostering an inclusive environment. Regular one-on-ones help me understand team members' motivations and challenges, allowing me to tailor my support to enhance their engagement.

Ensuring product quality starts with a robust development process, including thorough testing and code reviews. I advocate for automated testing and continuous integration practices, and I regularly solicit user feedback to validate features throughout the development cycle.

My mentoring approach focuses on building relationships and providing constructive feedback. I encourage engineers to set personal development goals, provide resources, and create opportunities for them to take on new challenges that foster growth.

I address conflicts by promoting open communication and a collaborative environment. I facilitate discussions where team members can express their views, ensuring that I mediate effectively to reach a consensus while focusing on shared goals.

Data plays a critical role in my decision-making process; I leverage metrics to guide product direction, assess team performance, and evaluate user engagement. I ensure that data insights are shared transparently within the team to drive informed decisions.

One significant success was leading the development of a feature that improved user engagement by 30%. By leveraging user feedback, collaboration with design teams, and iterative development, we delivered a high-quality product that resonated well with our community.

Balancing hands-on coding with management responsibilities involves time management and prioritization. I carve out specific hours for coding to understand product nuances better while ensuring that my role as a manager and mentor is my primary focus.

I envision a more integrated and immersive communication experience within gaming, where players can seamlessly interact through voice, text, and video. Enhancing user engagement through innovative features that complement gameplay will be crucial for fostering community.