Mid-Level Software Engineer (Product)

As a Mid-Level Software Engineer at Stora, you will build and maintain features on our Rails-based platform, taking ownership from initial discussions to deployment. You'll collaborate with our product team and other stakeholders to define and refine new features while equally prioritizing app maintenance and performance. Additionally, you'll write tests, fix bugs, and act on monitoring insights to help us scale and improve our system's reliability.

To thrive in the Mid-Level Software Engineer role at Stora, you should have at least 3 years of professional experience in software development, with a minimum of 2 years focused on Ruby on Rails. A solid understanding of Rails and its ecosystem, along with the ability to work independently on tasks while collaborating with the team, is essential for success.

In the Mid-Level Software Engineer position at Stora, you will work with a technology stack that includes Rails 7, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Sidekiq for the backend, along with Hotwire, React, and Sass for the frontend. Familiarity with testing libraries such as Minitest, Capybara, or RSpec is also beneficial, as you will be expected to write and execute tests as part of your role.

Stora offers a competitive benefits package for the Mid-Level Software Engineer role, which includes options for a 4 or 5-day work week, a competitive salary, remote work opportunities, and access to an office in Belfast for those local to the area. You'll also enjoy private health insurance, a pension plan, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, making Stora an excellent place to work.

The interview process for the Mid-Level Software Engineer position at Stora starts with an initial discussion about your experience and approach to development. If selected, you'll have a second interview focusing on problem-solving, architecture, and collaboration. Finally, you will complete a short take-home project relevant to the role, allowing us to assess your practical skills.

When answering this question, focus on detailing your experience in Ruby on Rails, specifically mentioning projects where you've successfully utilized the framework. Highlight any relevant features you developed, challenges you overcame, and how this experience prepares you for the role at Stora.

To answer effectively, describe your systematic approach to debugging, including the tools and methodologies you use. Mention any experience you have with monitoring systems and how you've applied that in past roles to resolve production issues swiftly.

For this question, emphasize your practices around clean code principles, such as writing clear, modular code and following naming conventions. Discuss your experience with writing tests in Minitest or RSpec and how you incorporate testing into your development workflow to ensure quality.

Outline a feature you developed, detailing your role in its conception, design, and implementation. Discuss any collaboration with team members, the technologies used, and the final outcome to showcase your ability to take ownership of projects.

Discuss resources you engage with such as blogs, podcasts, conferences, or forums. Emphasize your passion for continuous learning and how you apply new knowledge to your work, ensuring you keep pace with industry trends and best practices.

When addressing this question, share specific instances where collaboration has led to successful outcomes. Highlight how you communicate with team members, foster an inclusive team dynamic, and value others’ input in achieving project goals.

Explain your organizational skills and any tools or methodologies you use for task prioritization (e.g., agile methodologies). Offer an example of a time you juggled multiple responsibilities and how you ensured that deadlines were met.

Detail your understanding of clean architecture principles, explaining how they enhance project maintainability and scalability. Provide examples of how you've incorporated these principles in past projects and the benefits realized.

In your response, articulate your process for gathering requirements, seeking clarification when necessary, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure their needs are met. Highlight the importance of maintaining open communication and adaptability throughout the development process.

Use this opportunity to align your career aspirations with the opportunities available at Stora. Discuss your desire for professional growth, learning opportunities, and how this role allows you to contribute directly while enhancing your skills in a collaborative environment.