A Day in the Life of a Full Stack Engineer - SHIFT Japan

You are an engineer.

Living in Japan has been a dream of yours since the golden days of your youth.

This is your calling.

This is your sign.

This is your day as a Full Stack Engineer in Japan at SHIFT.

Morning: Starting the Day Right

As a Full Stack Engineer at SHIFT, your day begins at 8:30 AM.

You start by checking your emails and messages from the company, ensuring you're up-to-date with any updates or communications.

Registering your attendance, you prepare for the day's morning meeting.

This meeting, around 9:30 or 10 AM, is where the team discusses what everyone did yesterday and what they plan to achieve today.

Any blockers you face are addressed, ensuring you have a clear path to get stuff done.

If you're juggling multiple projects, you'll likely have another brief meeting at 11 AM to discuss specific tasks and dependencies for the week.

SHIFT's flexible approach allows you to work remotely, though your first week was spent in the office for training.

This initial period covered the company rules and emergency protocols, with an emphasis on building relationships horizontally across the team.

You were also introduced to your supervisor and assigned a project, with the supervisor acting as a guide while you got to know the project's tech lead and project manager.

Morning Summary:

• Start the day at 8:30 AM by checking emails and registering attendance.
• Attend the morning meeting at 9:30 or 10 AM to discuss daily plans and address blockers.
• If working on multiple projects, have another meeting at 11 AM.
• Initial week in the office for training on company hierarchy, rules, and emergency protocols.
• Assigned a supervisor and project, meeting tech lead and project manager.

Afternoon: Deep Dive into Development

Post-lunch, typically from 12 PM to 1 PM, you dive back into your tasks.

These tasks are documented in tickets, and you may be working on anything from creating APIs to integrating new features.

Collaboration is key, and the whole team is available to help you out if you hit any snags.

Once you complete a task, you push your code to the repository, where it's reviewed by your supervisor or another team member.

This peer review process offers you fresh perspectives and ensures the quality of your work. This can take from a few hours to several days.

You enjoy the autonomy to choose your tech stack and approach, a freedom that fosters creativity and innovation.

This flexibility, coupled with the support of your team, means you can confidently suggest improvements and contribute to the project's success.

Afternoon Summary:

• Post-lunch work on tasks documented in tickets, from APIs to new features.
• Push completed code to the repository for peer review.
• Enjoy autonomy in tech stack choice and approach, fostering creativity.
• Collaborate with the team for support and feedback.

Evening: Wrapping Up and Personal Growth

By 6:30 PM, you start wrapping up your work for the day.

SHIFT encourages a healthy work-life balance, so there's no pressure to work overtime. After work, you might head to boxing training for a couple of hours, a great way to stay fit and unwind.

Later in the evening, you dedicate time to personal growth, whether that's studying for career advancement or improving your Japanese. The company supports your professional development, and you're planning to take the AWS certification course, a step that aligns with your career goals.

Evening Summary:

• Finish work around 6:30 PM with no pressure for overtime.
• Engage in activities like boxing training to stay fit and unwind.
• Dedicate time to personal growth, such as studying for career advancement or improving language skills.
• Plan to take the AWS certification course with company support.

Reflecting on the Journey

The reasons you joined SHIFT are clear: a salary based on skills rather than seniority, the opportunity to rotate through different projects, and a remote-friendly environment.

The initial training week, though intense, laid a solid foundation for your role, including an Excel test that, while challenging, helped bond you with your peers over shared experiences.

Your daily routine is a mix of structured meetings and flexible work periods, enabling you to manage your projects effectively.

Whether you're leading a project or contributing as a team member, the emphasis on collaboration and autonomy means you always feel impactful.

SHIFT's culture of building horizontal relationships and fostering a supportive environment is evident in your interactions.

Team members are approachable, making it easy to discuss ideas and seek help. This inclusive atmosphere not only enhances your productivity but also makes your work experience rewarding.

In conclusion, your day as a Full Stack Engineer at SHIFT is a blend of professional challenges and personal growth, supported by a company culture that values flexibility, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Ready to apply to be a Full Stack Engineer?

Message Manthila Baduraliyage to learn more!