Engineering Manager - job 1 of 2

As an Engineering Manager at SeatGeek, your key responsibilities include managing cross-functional engineering teams, collaborating with Product on product design and enhancements, improving operational and engineering practices, providing regular feedback and career support to team members, participating in recruitment, and performing code reviews while facilitating communication among various stakeholders.

To be considered for the Engineering Manager position at SeatGeek, you should have at least 5 years of engineering experience, with 3 years in a managerial role leading productive teams. A strong technical background and familiarity with tools and technologies relevant to our stack, such as Python, Go, and Java, are essential, along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

The engineering team culture at SeatGeek is dynamic, inclusive, and empowering. We encourage engineers to tackle complex challenges actively, foster collaboration, and support each other's career growth. With a focus on innovation, we aim to create an environment where everyone's ideas are valued and diversity is celebrated.

At SeatGeek, career growth is a priority for Engineering Managers. You will receive regular performance feedback, guidance on professional development, and ample opportunities to lead teams in exciting projects. The organization is committed to helping you grow your skills and advance your career within a supportive work environment.

The Engineering Manager at SeatGeek works with a diverse technology stack, which may include languages like Python, Go, and Swift, as well as client platforms like iOS, Android, and web technologies. Familiarity with cloud services like AWS and tools like RabbitMQ and Kafka is also beneficial, although not strictly required.

When prioritizing tasks as an Engineering Manager, it’s essential to align them with overall business objectives while considering the team's capabilities. Start by collaborating with Product to establish clear goals and timelines. Utilize methodologies like Agile or Scrum to manage progress, and regularly communicate with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page. Encourage input from team members to foster collaboration and ownership.

My approach to conducting performance reviews focuses on constructive feedback and open dialogue. I make it a point to prepare by collecting input from peers and evaluating ongoing projects and achievements. During the review, I emphasize strengths while addressing areas for development, allowing for a two-way conversation where team members can share their perspectives and set goals for future growth.

To handle conflicts within the engineering team, I prioritize open communication and act swiftly to facilitate a resolution. I encourage team members to express their concerns candidly and guide them through finding common ground. If necessary, I step in as a mediator, promoting a collaborative approach to address the underlying issues effectively.

Fostering a culture of innovation starts with creating a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and experimenting. I encourage brainstorming sessions and promote cross-team collaboration. Additionally, I support initiatives that allow for continuous learning, such as attending workshops, conferences, or hackathons, ensuring that our team remains at the forefront of technological advancements.

To ensure my team's alignment with company goals, I make a habit of regularly communicating our objectives and key results (OKRs) and translating them into actionable tasks for my team. I hold frequent check-ins to review our progress and solicit feedback, ensuring transparency and accountability. Aligning daily activities with broader company visions keeps everyone focused on shared goals.

An Engineering Manager plays a vital role in shaping team morale by fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. I prioritize recognizing individual contributions, celebrating team wins, and providing support during challenging times. By establishing strong relationships and being an accessible leader, I help maintain motivation and collaboration within the team.

Mentoring and developing engineers on my team is a fundamental responsibility. I take time to understand each individual's career aspirations and tailor development plans accordingly. Offering regular one-on-ones enables me to provide targeted advice, facilitate learning opportunities, and connect engineers with resources to enhance their skills and advance their careers.

My experience with scaling engineering teams includes developing structured onboarding processes, enhancing communication channels, and creating an inclusive hiring strategy that focuses on diverse talents. As we grow, I ensure that best practices are implemented to maintain productivity and collaboration, aligning new team members with our culture and objectives quickly.

A successful Engineering Manager should possess strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and exceptional interpersonal abilities. Being an effective communicator helps bridge gaps between technical and non-technical teams. Additionally, fostering collaboration, promoting a positive team culture, and being committed to professional development are qualities that drive success in this role.

To ensure my engineering team stays updated with the latest technologies, I encourage a culture of continuous learning. I support participation in conferences, workshops, and online courses, and I implement regular knowledge-sharing sessions within the team to discuss new tools and methodologies. By promoting curiosity and exploration, I empower my team to not only adopt new technologies but also innovate in their projects.