What is a Engineering Manager at Viber?

The Engineering Manager at Viber plays a pivotal role in driving the technical direction and operational efficiency of engineering teams. This position is crucial for ensuring that Viber's products are not only innovative but also scalable and reliable. As an Engineering Manager, you will lead diverse teams that work on complex and high-impact projects, influencing both product development and user experience. The role's strategic importance lies in its ability to balance technical excellence with leadership, fostering an environment where creativity and engineering best practices flourish.

In your capacity, you will oversee engineering initiatives that enhance Viber's communication platform, driving improvements in performance, security, and user engagement. You'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management and design, ensuring that the technical aspects align with business goals. The complexity and scale of the challenges you will face make this role both demanding and rewarding, providing you with the opportunity to significantly shape the future of Viber's offerings.

Common Interview Questions

When preparing for your interview, expect a mix of questions focusing on both technical expertise and leadership capabilities. These questions are representative of what candidates have encountered and may vary by team. The goal is to illustrate patterns in questioning rather than provide a memorization list.

Technical / Domain Questions

This category assesses your technical knowledge and understanding of relevant technologies.

• What programming languages are you most proficient in, and how have you used them in past projects?
• How do you ensure code quality within your team?
• Can you describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it?
• What strategies do you use to stay updated with industry trends and technologies?
• How do you prioritize technical debt versus new feature development?

System Design / Architecture

You'll be tested on your ability to design scalable and efficient systems.

• How would you design a messaging system to handle millions of concurrent users?
• Discuss the trade-offs between monolithic and microservices architecture.
• What are the key considerations for designing a real-time communication platform?
• How do you approach data consistency in distributed systems?
• Can you provide an example of a system you've designed and the challenges you faced?

Behavioral / Leadership

This section evaluates your leadership style and ability to manage teams.

• Describe a time when you had to manage a conflict within your team.
• How do you motivate your team during challenging projects?
• What is your approach to performance evaluations and feedback?
• Can you discuss a successful project you led and the factors that contributed to its success?
• How do you foster a culture of innovation within your team?

Problem-Solving / Case Studies

Expect questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills.

• How would you approach a sudden drop in user engagement on the platform?
• Describe your thought process for prioritizing multiple high-impact projects.
• How would you handle a situation where a project is falling behind schedule?
• Discuss a time when you had to make a critical decision with limited data.
• How do you balance short-term needs with long-term strategic goals?

Coding / Algorithms

If applicable, demonstrate your coding skills and algorithmic thinking.

• Write a function to reverse a linked list.
• How would you implement a method to detect cycles in a graph?
• Discuss the time complexity of your solution for sorting an array.
• Can you explain the difference between depth-first and breadth-first search?
• Provide an example of a data structure you have implemented and its use case.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Your preparation should encompass both technical acumen and leadership insights. Understanding the expectations Viber has for its Engineering Managers will help you align your experiences with their needs.

Role-related knowledge – This encompasses your familiarity with relevant technologies and your ability to apply them effectively in your role. Show how your past experiences align with Viber's technical stack.

Problem-solving ability – Be prepared to demonstrate how you tackle challenges and structure your approach to complex problems. Use specific examples that highlight your analytical skills.

Leadership – This criterion evaluates how you influence and communicate within your team. Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you have successfully led teams in the past.

Culture fit / values – Viber places a strong emphasis on cultural alignment. Be ready to discuss how your values resonate with the company's mission and work style.

Interview Process Overview

At Viber, the interview process for the Engineering Manager role is designed to assess both your technical expertise and leadership skills in a collaborative environment. Candidates typically experience a rigorous yet respectful process that begins with an initial phone screening, followed by a series of interviews with team members and leadership. The interviews aim to evaluate your problem-solving approach, technical proficiency, and cultural fit within the organization.

Throughout the process, you will encounter a blend of technical discussions and behavioral assessments, allowing interviewers to gauge your holistic capabilities as a leader. Viber values a collaborative and user-focused approach, ensuring that you are not only a strong technical fit but also an ambassador for the company's values and mission.

This visual timeline outlines the stages of the interview process, including screening calls, technical interviews, and final discussions. Use this to plan your preparation and manage your energy effectively. Understanding the progression can help you focus on key areas and anticipate the types of discussions that may arise.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed in the interview process, you must be aware of the major evaluation areas that Viber emphasizes for the Engineering Manager role.

Technical Expertise

Your technical knowledge is foundational to your effectiveness in this role. Interviewers will assess your understanding of relevant technologies and your ability to apply them effectively. Strong performance in this area means demonstrating proficiency in the technical stack used at Viber.

• Coding proficiency – Be prepared to showcase your coding skills through real-time coding challenges.
• System architecture – Discuss your experience designing scalable systems.
• Technical decision-making – Provide examples of how you’ve made informed technical choices in previous roles.

Example questions:

• "Can you walk us through the architecture of a system you designed?"
• "How do you ensure your team adheres to coding standards?"

Leadership and Management

As an Engineering Manager, your leadership style is critical. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to inspire and manage teams effectively. Strong candidates showcase a balance of empathy and decisiveness.

• Team dynamics – Discuss how you've built strong team relationships.
• Conflict resolution – Be ready to provide examples of how you've handled team conflicts.
• Mentorship – Highlight your experience in mentoring junior engineers.

Example questions:

• "How do you handle underperforming team members?"
• "Can you describe your approach to team motivation?"

Strategic Vision

Candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of Viber's vision and how engineering contributes to strategic goals. Strong performance in this area involves articulating a long-term vision for your team and projects.

• Alignment with company goals – Discuss how your technical vision aligns with Viber's mission.
• Innovation – Provide examples of how you’ve driven innovation in previous roles.

Example questions:

• "What strategic initiatives would you prioritize if you joined Viber?"
• "How do you balance innovation with the need for stability?"

Key Responsibilities

As an Engineering Manager at Viber, your day-to-day responsibilities will include leading engineering teams, overseeing project delivery, and ensuring the quality of technical work. You will be expected to:

• Drive the technical direction and architecture of projects.
• Collaborate with product management to align engineering efforts with business objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team.
• Mentor and develop engineers, helping them grow their technical and leadership skills.
• Manage project timelines and deliverables, ensuring that teams meet their commitments.

You will also be involved in cross-functional collaborations, working closely with design, product, and operations teams to ensure cohesive product development. This role demands a proactive approach to problem-solving, as you will often need to address obstacles that arise during project execution.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A strong candidate for the Engineering Manager position at Viber will exhibit a blend of technical proficiency and leadership capabilities. Here’s what to expect:

• Technical skills – Extensive experience in software development, particularly in languages and frameworks relevant to Viber’s technology stack, such as Java, Python, or JavaScript.
• Experience level – Typically 5+ years in software engineering roles with at least 2 years in management or leadership positions.
• Soft skills – Strong communication skills, ability to influence stakeholders, and experience in team management and conflict resolution.
• Must-have skills – Proven track record in software development, system design, and team leadership.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience in the telecommunications industry or familiarity with real-time communication technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process? The interview process is designed to be challenging but fair. Candidates typically spend several weeks preparing, and thorough knowledge of both technical and leadership aspects is crucial for success.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates? Successful candidates demonstrate a strong blend of technical expertise and leadership skills, along with a clear alignment with Viber’s values and mission.

Q: What is the company culture like? Viber fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture where innovation is encouraged. Teams are empowered to take ownership of their projects while maintaining a focus on user satisfaction.

Q: What is the typical timeline from initial screen to offer? The process usually takes about 4-6 weeks, from initial screening to final interviews and offer discussions.

Q: Is there flexibility with remote work? Viber is open to hybrid work arrangements, allowing for a mix of remote and in-office collaboration depending on team needs.

Other General Tips

• Showcase your impact: When discussing past experiences, focus on outcomes and your contributions to project successes.
• Prepare for behavioral questions: Reflect on your leadership experiences and be ready to discuss them in relation to Viber's values.
• Understand Viber's products: Familiarize yourself with Viber’s offerings and think about how engineering innovations can enhance user experience.
• Practice coding challenges: If coding skills are relevant, practice algorithms and data structures to be ready for technical assessments.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming an Engineering Manager at Viber offers an exciting opportunity to impact a leading communication platform. This role is not only about managing teams but also about driving innovation and contributing to strategic objectives. Focus your preparation on the key evaluation areas we discussed, including technical expertise, leadership skills, and cultural alignment.

With diligent preparation, you can set yourself apart as a strong candidate. Remember to explore additional interview insights and resources on Dataford to further enhance your preparation. Your ability to articulate your vision and demonstrate your past successes will be critical in making a lasting impression.

Embrace the challenge ahead with confidence, as your unique experiences and skills have the potential to make a significant impact at Viber.