Manager, Software Engineering - Search Platform

As a Manager, Software Engineering at Figma, your primary responsibility will be to lead a talented team of engineers in designing and building scalable services for our Search Platform. You will also build long-term roadmaps, establish strong partnerships with different teams, and create an inclusive work environment. Your leadership will play a crucial role in shaping strategies and setting clear priorities for projects, ensuring everyone in the team is accountable and engaged.

To be a strong candidate for the Manager, Software Engineering position at Figma, you should have at least 2 years of experience managing high-output engineering teams and 5 years of experience with distributed systems. Expertise in search engine technologies like OpenSearch and skills around building scalable infrastructures are essential. Proven leadership abilities to inspire and mentor engineers will also set you apart!

Yes, the Manager, Software Engineering position at Figma can be held remotely from anywhere in the United States. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a work-life balance. Whether you prefer to work in one of our U.S. hubs or from home, you'll be part of an engaged and supportive community regardless of your location.

As a Manager, Software Engineering at Figma, you can expect a competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan with company contributions, parental leave, a learning and development stipend, generous PTO, and more! Additionally, Figma provides opportunities for career advancement and a culture that celebrates your growth and development.

Figma thrives on a culture of inclusion and creativity, where diverse ideas and perspectives are celebrated. As a Manager, Software Engineering, you will play an active role in fostering this environment, creating community events, and developing initiatives that enhance our workplace. Our commitment to personal and professional growth means you will have plenty of opportunities to grow alongside an engaged team of curious individuals.

When answering this question, share specific examples of your previous leadership roles, focusing on how you motivated your team, set clear objectives, and dealt with challenges. Emphasize how you fostered a collaborative environment and drove successful project outcomes.

Highlight your hands-on experience with these technologies, discussing specific projects where you've implemented them. Include details about scaling search infrastructure, optimizing performance, and any innovative solutions you contributed to enhance search results.

Discuss your process for assessing current capabilities, identifying gaps, and setting achievable goals. Emphasize collaboration with stakeholders and aligning the roadmap with the company’s broader mission. Share any past experiences where you successfully outlined a strategic plan.

Talk about your leadership style and how you build trust through open communication, regular feedback, and recognizing individual contributions. Share successful methods you've used to keep the team accountable while also maintaining a positive work atmosphere.

Provide a specific example that showcases your problem-solving skills. Detail the challenge, the steps you took to address it, and what the outcome was. Highlight any innovative approaches or collaboration skills utilized to reach a solution.

Share your strategies for professional development, such as attending conferences, participating in workshops, or following industry leaders and publications. Highlight any proactive measures you’ve taken to incorporate new technologies into previous projects.

Discuss the importance of mentoring in fostering growth within your team. Share specific practices, such as setting up regular one-on-one meetings, providing constructive feedback, and creating opportunities for them to take on challenging projects.

Describe specific instances where you've successfully worked with other teams to achieve project goals. Highlight your communication strategies and any innovative solutions that arose from those collaborations.

Discuss various techniques you've utilized in the past, like implementing efficient indexing strategies and caching mechanisms. Share insights on how to reduce latency while ensuring the search experience remains seamless and user-friendly.

Be genuine and express your admiration for Figma’s mission, culture, and commitment to inclusivity. Discuss how your values align with theirs and how excited you are to contribute to an innovative company that is redefining design.