Q&A with Ariel Perez and Florin Bicher, Engineering Managers at TravelLocal

What’s a typical day for you at TravelLocal?

Florin Bicher : I'm an Engineering Manager at TravelLocal, so my typical day is split between meetings and focused time work. The ratio varies depending on the day of the week. Meetings are usually Scrum ceremonies, 1-1s with engineers, and coordination sync-ups. Apart from the usual challenges related to the specific projects I deal with, one of the main challenges is deciding how to effectively split my time between all the ongoing initiatives. Here, our CTO Stefan offers a helping hand, building a bridge between company priorities and team goals.

Ariel Perez : Each day presents a dynamic blend of challenging projects. I commence by engaging with our primary communication platforms, fostering collaboration with my colleagues asynchronously. Then, we meet for a daily stand-up meeting, where we recap the previous day's accomplishments, outline priorities for the current day, and address any impediments blocking progress. This synchronous interaction allows us to swiftly resolve issues and align our efforts. Throughout the day, I dedicate most of my time focusing on my own development tasks, benefitting from the company's emphasis on asynchronous communication and outcome-driven approaches.

What's the most innovative project you've worked on at TravelLocal, and what made it particularly exciting or challenging for you?

Ariel: Well, at TravelLocal, there's never a shortage of cool projects, but one that really stands out is when we merged TravelLocal with Trip.Me . Imagine, bringing two separate platforms together into one great and unique platform! It was a rollercoaster of excitement and challenge. See, each platform had its own tech stack and vibe, so merging them wasn't exactly a walk in the park. As an Engineer, I had to dive headfirst into new technologies, sharpen my system architecture skills, and basically juggle a whole bunch of stuff. But you know what? It was incredibly rewarding to be part of something so big and game-changing.

Florin: It's not that long since I joined TravelLocal, but I've already had a chance to work on several projects. There is one that comes to my mind. I can't say it's cutting-edge in terms of innovation, but it was particularly exciting. It was about the introduction of engineering productivity metrics and involved the research of current market best practices. The challenging part was striking a balance between getting enough visibility and not overwhelming the team with measurements. I enjoyed the most test-driving various third-party providers, ending up with the one that offers the best UX for our specific case.

How does engineering collaborate with other departments at TravelLocal, and can you share an example of a successful cross-departmental project?

Ariel: Collaboration across departments is at the core of our operations at TravelLocal. When it comes to rolling out new features, our Engineering team closely partners with the Product team. Moreover, the Product team collaborates extensively with all departments to gain insights into the features that will deliver the greatest value to our clients and partners. Once prioritised user stories find their way into our Engineering backlog, we actively involve other departments to refine the details and ensure that our proposed solutions will genuinely enhance the user experience on our platform.

There are numerous instances of cross-departmental collaboration. For instance, the development of the new Request Allocation Process heavily relied on the expertise of our TST (Travel Success Team) department. Another notable example is the enhancement of the Request Form, which stemmed from a collaborative effort involving Engineering, TST, Product, and Marketing departments. These projects exemplify how different teams at TravelLocal come together to drive innovation and deliver value to our users.

Best things of working at TravelLocal

Florin:

- Values. Company values are well-aligned with my personal ones but that's a narrow case. For a wider audience, I can say that TravelLocal not only declares core values but constantly aligns its daily work and decision-making around them. - Growth opportunities. Particularly in my role, I have plenty of opportunities for professional growth. TravelLocal is an established startup with market fit, but in regards to engineering there is room for growth, which leaves space for suggesting and implementing improvements. - Truly remote-first culture. TravelLocal is far on the right side of the remote spectrum. Even though we have two offices, all people are treated as remote, which ensures that everyone has equal access to information and the best working experience. Consistent documentation and respect for focus time also positively contribute to this point.

Ariel: There are several standout aspects of working at TravelLocal that make it an exceptional experience for me. Firstly, our Tech-Stack is top-notch. We operate with a modern stack and have a proactive approach to exploring and integrating newer technologies. As an Engineer, this evolution of our tech environment is incredibly stimulating and rewarding. Another highlight is our truly remote-first company ethos. This approach grants me the freedom to work from anywhere, which resonates deeply with my passion for travel. Having the flexibility to blend work with my love for exploration adds a unique dimension to my professional life. The people's culture at TravelLocal is another aspect I cherish. In our collaborative environment, where asynchronous communication is valued, my colleagues are always ready to lend a hand and foster a friendly atmosphere. Working 40 hours per week feels fulfilling when surrounded by such supportive teammates. Lastly, the growth opportunities here are immense. As a scale-up company, TravelLocal offers both existing and new team members ample chances to learn and progress professionally. This commitment to personal and professional development aligns perfectly with my career aspirations.

What makes TravelLocal a great place for an engineer?

Florin: Come for the job ad vibe, stay for the people culture. I mentioned that values are not just words here, and I make sure that this is amplified in the Engineering team especially. - Variety of work. The Product team has a long backlog of ideas to implement. Some of the ideas are straightforward, while others require investigation. This brings an opportunity for engineers to switch context and work on various exciting things (as opposed to just bug fixing or supporting legacy projects).