Engineering Manager

As an Engineering Manager at Serko, you'll inspire and lead a team of 8–10 software engineers, focusing on coaching, mentoring, and professional development. You'll shape the technical vision for your domain, drive execution for high-impact outcomes, and ensure the platform is scalable and secure. Additionally, you'll lead the development of cloud-agnostic systems and oversee the integration of innovative AI/ML features.

To be considered for the Engineering Manager position at Serko, candidates should have at least 8 years of software engineering experience alongside 4 years of engineering leadership. A strong background in designing distributed, cloud-native systems and proficiency in languages like Java, Python, or Go are essential. Additional experience in microservices and event-driven architectures is a plus.

At Serko, we prioritize the professional development of our employees, including Engineering Managers. You will have access to growth frameworks, performance reviews, and opportunities for mentorship. This fosters an environment where you can continually improve and elevate your career pathway while actively contributing to the success of the team.

As an Engineering Manager at Serko, you will oversee projects that focus on building secure, scalable platforms. Projects include developing cloud-agnostic systems, driving AI/ML integration for demand forecasting, and ensuring high uptime for millions of users globally. You'll collaborate cross-functionally to align technical delivery with business objectives.

Serko provides a competitive salary package, comprehensive medical benefits, and a discretionary incentive plan based on individual and company performance. Additionally, you'll enjoy a strong focus on development through access to learning and career ownership opportunities, alongside a flexible work policy to support work-life balance.

When discussing your leadership style, it's essential to highlight how you inspire and motivate your team. Talk about your approach to coaching and mentoring others, particularly in a high-performance environment. Reference specific examples of how your leadership has driven successful outcomes and how you adapt your style to support the diverse needs of your team members.

Effective collaboration is crucial in the Engineering Manager role at Serko. Discuss strategies such as regular communication, aligning on goals, and fostering a culture of openness. Mention any tools or frameworks you use to enhance communication between teams, and provide examples of successful collaborations that led to enhanced project outcomes.

In answering this question, you should explain your method for prioritizing tasks—whether through agile methodologies, setting clear KPIs, or regular check-ins. Illustrating a specific instance where your prioritization led to successful project delivery can add depth. Emphasize your ability to adapt to changing business needs without compromising quality.

This question offers a chance to showcase your expertise in technologies relevant to the Engineering Manager position at Serko. Discuss specific cloud-native tools like Kubernetes, Istio, or Terraform that you have implemented or managed. Describe architectural decisions involving these tools and how they contributed to system resilience and scalability.

Discuss the importance of feedback in refining your management style and improving team dynamics. You might share how you solicit regular feedback from your team and stakeholders, demonstrating your commitment to growth. Give an example where feedback led to significant changes in processes or team performance.

When responding to this question, share a specific project where you significantly integrated innovative technologies or processes. Emphasize your role in fostering a culture of innovation and how it resulted in novel solutions or enhanced efficiencies. This is a great opportunity to link your experience with Serko's focus on AI/ML integration.

Performance reviews and mentorship are critical aspects of leadership. Share how you conduct reviews, set performance metrics, and provide constructive feedback. Discuss your approach to mentorship, including how you help team members grow professionally, particularly in tech roles. Examples of successful mentoring will strengthen your response.

Answering this question can showcase your dedication to continuous learning. Mention sources you rely on, such as industry publications, webinars, or tech meet-ups. Illustrate how you have implemented emerging technologies in your teams or projects, relating it back to how you would bring fresh ideas to Serko.

Reflect on previous challenges, whether they were team dynamics, project roadblocks, or technology adoption issues. Discuss the strategies you applied to address those challenges and what the outcomes were, demonstrating your problem-solving skills that would benefit your potential role at Serko.

This question is your chance to showcase your enthusiasm for Serko and its mission in the business travel industry. Explain how your values align with the company's focus on innovation and diversity. Draw connections between your skills and the job requirements, demonstrating that you understand the role and are eager to contribute.