Software Engineering Team Lead - Platform Services - job 1 of 2

The Software Engineering Team Lead at DRW is responsible for leading and mentoring a diverse team of engineers, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. This includes engaging in hands-on software development activities, driving project ownership, defining requirements, and ensuring timely delivery, while also collaborating with various teams to enhance platform services.

To be considered for the Software Engineering Team Lead position at DRW, candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in server-side development using major programming languages such as Java, Ruby, Python, Clojure, or C#. Additionally, 3 years of experience in leading engineers within a technical environment is essential, complemented by a familiarity with system design principles, especially in distributed systems.

In addition to the required qualifications, desirable skills for the Software Engineering Team Lead role at DRW include experience with Platform as a Service (PaaS), familiarity with Identity Access Management (IAM), and strong problem-solving abilities, alongside excellent communication and interpersonal skills that promote collaboration across global locations.

DRW is committed to the professional growth of its Software Engineering Team Leads by providing mentorship and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The environment encourages team leaders to focus on their development, helping them enhance their skills in project management, technical leadership, and team collaboration, ensuring that they have an enriching experience throughout their career.

The annual base salary range for the Software Engineering Team Lead role at DRW is between $175,000 to $275,000, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additionally, the position includes eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus and a comprehensive suite of employee benefits.

When leading a diverse team of engineers, I would focus on creating an inclusive and collaborative environment. I’d begin by understanding each team member's strengths and weaknesses, fostering open communication, and encouraging a culture of feedback and continuous learning.

In my previous roles, I've extensively used languages like Java and Python for server-side development. I prioritize writing clean, maintainable code and am passionate about adopting new technologies that further enhance our software solutions.

To ensure timely project delivery, I employ strong project management techniques including setting clear milestones, effective resource allocation, and regular progress check-ins with the team to address any potential blockers immediately.

In mentoring junior engineers, I focus on one-on-one coaching, setting up pair programming sessions, and encouraging them to tackle challenging projects. I believe in providing constructive feedback and celebrating their successes to build confidence and skills.

When conflicts arise within my team, I address them promptly by facilitating an open dialogue. I encourage team members to share their perspectives and work together to find common ground, which helps maintain a positive team dynamic.

My experience with platform services includes designing APIs for seamless integrations and simplifying user interaction with various tools. I believe in optimizing performance and enhancing user experiences by keeping integrations transparent and efficient.

In previous positions, I've collaborated closely with other development teams by organizing regular sync-ups to share progress, understand requirements, and ensure that our platform services aligned optimally with their projects, which fostered a collaborative environment and achieved shared goals.

During system design discussions, I emphasize the importance of considering scalability and maintainability. I encourage brainstorming sessions where all ideas are welcomed and then critically evaluate each suggestion against our project goals and user needs.

I have utilized various tools such as Selenium and JUnit to implement automated testing in our development process. My approach emphasizes the importance of continuous integration to ensure that software updates do not introduce new issues into existing functionalities.

I am drawn to DRW because of its innovative approach in the trading industry and its commitment to bringing sophisticated technology into operations. The opportunity to lead a skilled team and contribute to exciting projects aligns perfectly with my career aspirations and values.