Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors

As the Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors at ABBYY, you'll be responsible for leading the design and development of innovative workflow orchestration platforms, managing third-party system connectors, and driving technical excellence. You'll oversee the architecture of scalable solutions while also mentoring your engineering team to ensure high-quality output. Additionally, exploring new technologies and optimizing system performance will be fundamental aspects of your role, making sure that ABBYY remains at the forefront of intelligent automation.

Candidates for the Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors role at ABBYY should have over 10 years of experience in software engineering, particularly with workflow orchestration and connector development. You should also possess significant technical expertise, especially in developing scalable workflow engines, API integration, and programming languages like Python or Java. Leadership experience in managing engineering teams and implementing Agile practices is essential for the position, as you'll be expected to guide a high-performing team.

ABBYY fosters a work culture that values flexibility, innovation, and collaboration, making it a great environment for the Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors. With remote working options, the company encourages employees to find their work-life balance while pursuing their professional goals. The team environment is nurturing and supportive, where respect and diversity are celebrated. As a leader, you will contribute to a culture of giving by participating in volunteer days off and mentoring your team for growth.

ABBYY provides an enriching environment for career advancement, especially for the Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors. With ongoing coaching, performance reviews, and a commitment to employee development, you will have the resources and support needed to grow. Additionally, your role in leading a high-performing team allows you to influence and shape future leaders within ABBYY, laying the groundwork for potential promotions to executive roles as the company continues to expand.

As the Director - Workflow Engine / Connectors at ABBYY, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes three weeks of paid time off, medical and dental insurance, and a 401(k) plan with employer matching. Other perks include a gym membership subsidy, pet insurance, and educational assistance. ABBYY also emphasizes a healthy work-life balance with remote work flexibility and provides two paid volunteering days, allowing you to give back to the community.

In responding to this question, focus on specific projects where you've designed or implemented workflow orchestration solutions. Highlight your understanding of task scheduling and state management and how your experience aligns with ABBYY's goals to enhance automation capabilities. Providing concrete examples of how your efforts improved efficiency or resolved complex problems will showcase your expertise.

Effectively leading a team involves establishing a collaborative atmosphere, setting clear goals, and providing continuous mentorship. Share your strategy for conducting regular one-on-ones, fostering an inclusive culture, and utilizing Agile practices to promote teamwork and project success. Emphasize your commitment to individual growth, which is key to team performance.

Discuss specific technologies or frameworks you've worked with, such as Apache Airflow or low-code platforms, and how they contributed to improving workflow execution or system scalability. Highlight your ability to foresee industry trends and leverage emerging technologies to keep your team at the forefront of automation solutions.

Share your methodology for identifying bottlenecks and describing the techniques you’ve used to resolve them. This might include analyzing system logs, conducting load testing, or optimizing code. Emphasize that a proactive approach to optimization is crucial for ensuring high availability and scalability, essential factors for ABBYY's solutions.

When answering, explain your experience in implementing Agile practices, such as sprint planning or backlog prioritization, and the tangible benefits these brought to your previous teams. Highlight any specific outcomes, like improved delivery timelines or enhanced team morale, which will position you as an effective leader in adopting Agile at ABBYY.

Discuss your approach to tailoring your communication based on the audience's familiarity with technical topics. Use relatable analogies or visuals when necessary to ensure understanding, from technical stakeholders to non-technical teams. This would demonstrate not just your technical acumen but also your leadership in bridging communication gaps.

Select a complex engineering challenge you faced, detailing the situation, your thought process in evaluating potential solutions, and the successful outcome. Highlight creativity and critical thinking while ensuring the solution aligns with high standards of quality and innovation, which ABBYY values.

Articulate your mentoring philosophy and provide examples of how you're equipped to support your team’s professional development. Techniques might include pair programming, providing constructive feedback, or facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions. Effective mentoring is key to ABBYY's commitment to fostering talent and innovation.

Describe the situation, emphasizing how you prioritized tasks, coordinated with your team, and communicated with stakeholders to meet deadlines. Highlight techniques that helped manage pressures associated with tight timelines, aligning with ABBYY's focus on delivering impactful solutions on time.

Provide insights on how these platforms democratize automation, enabling quicker and more adaptive solutions. Discuss your view on their capabilities to transform traditional workflows and position ABBYY as a pioneer in intelligent automation. Your forward-thinking perspective will align well with the company’s innovative ethos.