Engineering Manager

As an Engineering Manager at Runa, you will lead and mentor a team of engineers, ensuring they deliver high-quality, scalable, and reusable code that aligns with our digital payment solutions. Your duties include managing team performance, providing technical direction, overseeing architectural and systems design, and actively participating in the hiring and training of new members. You will also have a hands-on role, guiding the team through complex projects that impact our customers significantly.

To be considered for the Engineering Manager position at Runa, you should ideally have 6+ years of software engineering experience, with a strong background in managing teams of backend or full-stack engineers. Experience in designing scalable and complex software solutions is essential. Additionally, a passion for software engineering best practices and a knack for cross-functional collaboration will set you apart as a candidate.

At Runa, familiarity with Python, TypeScript, and JavaScript is beneficial, as our services predominantly run on these technologies within a Lambda functions environment. Knowledge of AWS services, architectural patterns, and database technologies like Aurora (Postgres), DynamoDB, MemoryDB (Redis), and Timestream will also be essential in navigating the complexities of our projects. However, we value diverse programming backgrounds and are open to engineers proficient in any language who can contribute to our goals.

The work culture at Runa is collaborative and innovative, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and shared goals. As an Engineering Manager, you will enjoy a hybrid work model requiring just 1-2 days a week on-site in our London office, along with flexibility to work from different locations for up to 45 calendar days a year. Our commitment to professional growth is reflected in our generous learning and development allowance, team-oriented atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance.

At Runa, we believe in nurturing talent from within. As an Engineering Manager, you will have opportunities for career advancement by showcasing your leadership abilities and contributing to the success of your team. You may also explore roles in higher management or specialized technical positions, depending on your interests and experiences. With our focus on innovative projects and continuous learning, you'll be well-positioned for growth within the company.

As an Engineering Manager, I believe in fostering a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and empowered. I prioritize open communication, set clear expectations, and encourage continuous feedback. My approach focuses on mentoring engineers to develop their skills, ensuring they have the support needed to tackle complex projects while celebrating their successes along the way.

In my previous role, I led a project where we migrated a legacy system to a new cloud infrastructure. The challenge was meeting tight deadlines while ensuring data integrity and minimal downtime. I implemented a phased rollout plan and coordinated with cross-functional teams, which led to a successful migration with enhanced system performance and customer satisfaction.

To ensure code quality, I promote best practices such as code reviews, automated testing, and pair programming. I also encourage my team to adopt a culture of continuous improvement, where they regularly assess their code against performance benchmarks and seek feedback from peers, focusing on delivering well-tested, efficient, and high-quality code.

I address conflicts by encouraging open dialogue and a understanding perspective. I believe in listening to all parties involved to unravel the underlying issues. Coaching team members on effective communication and conflict resolution techniques not only resolves immediate tensions but helps build long-term trust and collaboration within the team.

I keep my team motivated by recognizing their efforts and contributions regularly. Encouraging professional development through our learning and development allowance and creating opportunities for challenging projects that align with individual career goals enhances motivation. Additionally, I foster a positive work environment where celebration of both small and large wins is part of the team culture.

Agile methodology is central to my management style, as it promotes adaptability and continuous delivery of value. I encourage my team to embrace Agile principles, such as regular sprint reviews and retrospectives, to facilitate quick iterations, assess progress, and adapt strategies based on feedback efficiently. This helps us remain responsive to our end users' needs.

When making architectural decisions, I consider factors such as scalability, performance, maintainability, and alignment with business goals. I also assess user requirements and gather input from the engineering team to ensure our architecture supports future growth and adapts to changing technology trends while remaining robust and efficient.

To ensure alignment between engineering and product teams, I promote regular communication and collaboration. I set up joint meetings and workshops focused on outlining a shared vision, establishing clear objectives, and discussing any potential challenges. This workflow ensures that both teams remain on the same page and resources are optimally allocated.

My strategies for talent acquisition focus on finding candidates who not only possess the right technical skills but also fit our company values and culture. I leverage diverse recruitment channels and emphasize a thorough interview process that includes practical assessments. For team building, I support initiatives that encourage collaboration, such as team outings and brainstorming sessions, to strengthen relationships and foster innovation.

I stay updated with the latest technology trends by regularly attending conferences, participating in online forums, and engaging in professional networks. I also read industry publications and blogs to keep a pulse on emerging tools and frameworks that could enhance our engineering practices at Runa. Additionally, I encourage my team to share insights on new technologies they discover.