Preparation for an Engineering Manager role at Wego requires a blend of hands-on coding proficiency and a strategic mindset. You must demonstrate that you can step into an existing system and provide immediate value while keeping the long-term health of the product in mind.

Technical Proficiency – You will be evaluated on your mastery of Java and your ability to navigate complex domain logic. Demonstrate your capability by explaining your design choices and how they impact system performance and code quality.

System Thinking – Beyond individual methods, show that you understand how your code interacts with the wider architecture. Discuss trade-offs regarding scalability, data consistency, and API reliability.

Leadership and Communication – As an Engineering Manager, your ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders is vital. Use the STAR method to describe how you have led teams through technical debt reduction or successful product launches.

The interview process at Wego is designed to be rigorous yet practical, focusing on the realities of their daily engineering operations. You should anticipate a process that emphasizes your ability to handle real-world scenarios, such as modifying existing flight or route logic within a constrained environment. The pace is generally efficient, with interviewers looking for candidates who can demonstrate technical empathy—the ability to work well with others' code and build upon it effectively.

This timeline illustrates the progression from initial technical assessment to more comprehensive evaluations. Candidates should interpret these stages as an opportunity to showcase both their individual contributor background and their management philosophy. Use the early technical rounds to establish your credibility, allowing you to focus on leadership and strategy in subsequent discussions.

Codebase Navigation and Modification

Wego values engineers who can quickly orient themselves in an established codebase. You will be evaluated on your ability to read existing Java implementations, understand the underlying domain logic (flights, routes, availability), and apply precise changes that satisfy test cases.

Be ready to go over:

• Identifying dependencies within a complex Java project.
• Debugging logic errors in time-sensitive systems.
• Balancing feature delivery with the necessity of maintaining test coverage.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Given this existing method, how would you refactor it to support a new type of flight connection?"
• "Describe a time you had to fix a critical bug in a legacy system with minimal documentation."

As an Engineering Manager, your primary responsibility is to ensure the engineering team consistently delivers high-quality, scalable software. You will oversee the development lifecycle, from participating in architectural discussions to conducting code reviews and ensuring that team members are unblocked.

Collaboration is central to your role. You will work closely with Product Managers to prioritize features and with SRE teams to ensure that the production environment remains stable. A significant portion of your time will be spent mentoring junior and senior engineers, helping them grow their technical skills while maintaining a high bar for excellence. You are the bridge between the technical implementation and the business goals of Wego.

A strong candidate for the Engineering Manager position at Wego will possess a robust technical foundation combined with proven leadership experience. You should be comfortable in a Java-centric environment and have a deep understanding of the travel tech domain.

• Must-have skills: Extensive experience with Java, strong knowledge of data structures and algorithms, and proven experience in managing or leading engineering teams.
• Nice-to-have skills: Familiarity with cloud-native infrastructure, experience with large-scale distributed systems, and a track record of managing remote or distributed teams.

Q: How much time should I dedicate to practicing Java coding? A: Prioritize understanding Java design patterns and clean code principles rather than just memorizing algorithms. You will be expected to modify existing logic, so practice reading and extending unfamiliar codebases.

Q: What is the culture like at Wego? A: Wego fosters an environment of technical ownership and collaboration. They value engineers who are proactive, data-driven, and focused on the end-user experience.

Q: How long does the process take? A: While it can vary, the process is generally structured to move efficiently once you have successfully cleared the initial technical assessment. Expect a professional, focused, and respectful interaction with the hiring team.

• Prioritize Testing: When modifying code, always consider the test suite first. Your ability to ensure that changes do not regress existing functionality is a key indicator of your seniority.
• Communicate Your Thought Process: Even if you are stuck, talk through your reasoning. Interviewers want to see how you approach problems and handle ambiguity.
• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with the challenges of travel aggregation, such as cache invalidation, API integration latency, and search optimization.

The Engineering Manager role at Wego offers a unique opportunity to lead and innovate within one of the most dynamic sectors of the technology industry. By mastering the fundamentals of Java, demonstrating strong system-level thinking, and articulating your leadership philosophy clearly, you will be well-positioned to succeed in your interviews.

Preparation is your greatest asset. Review your past experiences, refine your approach to technical problem-solving, and stay focused on the impact you can bring to Wego. You have the expertise needed to excel—approach these interviews with confidence and a clear focus on the value you provide as a leader and an engineer. Explore additional insights and professional resources on Dataford to further refine your strategy and head into your interviews with a competitive edge.