Engineering Manager, PayTax API

The Engineering Manager for the PayTax API at Justworks plays a vital role in leading the development and delivery of essential payroll and tax systems. This involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to define strategies, oversee project execution, and maintain high standards for code quality. The manager also mentors engineers, fosters an innovative culture, and ensures that the team remains aligned with business goals while continuously iterating on processes.

To qualify for the Engineering Manager position at Justworks, candidates should have over 8 years of experience in software engineering, specifically focused on backend and API development. Additionally, at least 2 years of management experience is required, along with a strong understanding of server-side languages like Ruby, Python, or Go. Exceptional communication skills and the ability to develop resilient systems are also essential to succeed in this role.

At Justworks, the Engineering Manager for the PayTax API contributes to team success by providing strong leadership and direction. This includes defining technical strategies, coaching team members to enhance their skills, and implementing engineering best practices. The manager's role also encompasses driving sound technical decisions and cultivating a collaborative environment where innovative ideas can flourish, all aimed at achieving the best outcomes for customers.

In the Engineering Manager position at Justworks, you will work with a variety of technologies, including Ruby on Rails, Go, Docker, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Snowflake. Familiarity with Redis is also beneficial. The ability to navigate these technologies and make informed decisions on their application is crucial to building scalable and efficient payroll and taxation solutions.

Justworks prides itself on a welcoming and supportive workplace culture. As an Engineering Manager, you can expect to collaborate with passionate individuals who value camaraderie and openness. We emphasize continuous learning and innovation, ensuring that all team members can contribute to solving real-world challenges while fostering a positive and productive environment.

When discussing a challenging project, focus on your problem-solving process. Detail how you identified the challenge, the steps you took to address it, and the outcome of your efforts. Emphasize teamwork and communication, especially how you engaged with your engineers and other stakeholders to achieve success.

To answer this question, explain your method for evaluating tasks based on urgency, impact, and alignment with business objectives. Discuss how you involve your team in the prioritization process, leveraging feedback and insights from them to ensure that the most critical projects receive attention first.

Share specific methods you've found effective for mentoring engineers, such as regular one-on-one meetings, setting clear growth goals, and providing constructive feedback. Highlight any training programs or resources you promote and how these initiatives contribute to a culture of continuous learning.

Discuss your approach to decision-making, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and rapid assessment of options. Mention how you consult with your team to gather insights while focusing on the big picture, ensuring that all decisions align with both immediate needs and long-term goals.

Mention specific projects where you've led API development, focusing on your role in shaping architecture, optimizing performance, and ensuring security. Discuss how you handle documentation and user support for APIs to maintain a strong user experience and reliability.

Explain your process for implementing code reviews, testing, and continuous integration. Discuss how you establish coding standards and best practices within your team, fostering an environment where engineers are committed to writing clean, efficient code.

Emphasize that effective leadership involves inspiring and empowering team members to take ownership of their work. Discuss how you prioritize communication, transparency, and trust within your team as foundational elements that lead to success and innovation.

Use a specific example to illustrate your conflict resolution process. Discuss how you facilitated open communication between team members and encouraged collaborative problem-solving. Highlight the successful outcome and any lessons learned that helped improve team dynamics.

Describe your commitment to continuous learning through methods such as attending conferences, participating in workshops, and following industry thought leaders. Emphasize the importance of staying informed for making strategic decisions that benefit the team and the organization.

Share specific metrics you believe are critical, such as code quality, bug rates, delivery timelines, and team morale. Discuss how you use these metrics to guide improvements and celebrate successes, ensuring a balance between technical performance and team satisfaction.