Engineering Manager - job 1 of 2

The Engineering Manager at Justworks is responsible for leading a team of Software Engineers through project coordination and prioritization. You will work closely with the Product and Design teams to effectively plan and execute software releases, mentor team members to enhance their skills, and ensure high-quality outcomes are consistently achieved.

An ideal candidate for the Engineering Manager position at Justworks should possess over seven years of software engineering experience with at least one year in a management role. You should have a strong understanding of web development technologies and excellent communication skills to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

At Justworks, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth. As an Engineering Manager, you will not only mentor your team but also have opportunities to participate in professional development programs, company retreats, and learning workshops that enhance your leadership and technical skills.

The Engineering Manager at Justworks will work with a variety of technologies including Golang, Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, MySQL, and AWS, among others. This diverse tech stack allows you to leverage the best tools for solving complex problems and developing innovative solutions.

The company culture at Justworks is supportive, inclusive, and dynamic. As an Engineering Manager, you will find yourself part of a community that values collaboration, transparency, and respect. Our focus on camaraderie and integrity ensures that everyone works together toward a higher purpose in a fun and engaging atmosphere.

In answering this question, provide examples of how you have led technical projects, the size and scope of the teams you’ve managed, and specific outcomes that demonstrate your leadership effectiveness.

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including how you balance team capabilities, project deadlines, and company goals. Providing a structured method you use for prioritizing, such as agile methodologies or stakeholder feedback, will show your systematic approach.

Speak about specific initiatives you have implemented to promote learning, such as coding workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, or establishing mentorship programs, and the positive impacts these had on team dynamics and performance.

Outline your conflict resolution strategies, emphasizing active listening, empathy, and finding common ground. Illustrating how you’ve successfully navigated past conflicts can demonstrate your leadership in this area.

Highlight the importance of regular feedback, setting measurable goals, and providing developmental resources. Discuss how you've structured performance evaluations to support growth and address areas for improvement effectively.

Share examples of how you practice empathy by understanding your team members' perspectives and challenges, which helps in creating an inclusive environment that values each individual's contributions.

Focus on a specific project where you led a team to achieve significant results. Discuss your role in setting clear objectives, overcoming challenges, and what you learned from the experience.

Illustrate your communication strategy, including regular meetings, documentation practices, and tools you use to facilitate open dialogue among engineering, design, and product teams.

Convey your understanding of recruitment processes, emphasizing the importance of a positive company culture, competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, and fostering a diverse team.

Discuss your strategies for managing change, including training sessions, gradual implementation, and open communication to address concerns and ensure the team adapts smoothly to new technologies.