Engineering Manager (m/f/d) | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Berlin
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

At Superchat, we're rebuilding how businesses talk to their customers. The phone call, the contact form, the support ticket: all of it is being replaced by messaging and AI. We're building the platform that runs underneath.

Founded in 2020, Superchat has become the platform of choice for 10,000+ businesses worldwide, from globally recognized brands like Allianz, Auto1, Enpal, Danone, and GASAG to the small businesses, dental practices, and one-person startups that need to look bigger than they are. Today, millions of messages flow through Superchat every single day.

We started as a unified inbox: one place for every channel a customer might pick, WhatsApp, email, SMS, Instagram. Then ChatGPT happened, and the second chapter began: AI agents that respond across chat, email, and voice at the quality of the best human teams.

We're 100 people, profitable, and have raised €18M in funding (last round 4.5 years ago, we've been growing on our own money since). Headquartered in Berlin.

We're hiring an Engineering Manager to lead one or more squads. You'll partner directly with the CTO to develop engineers, ship reliable software, and shape how our team works as we scale.

Who We Want

Experienced engineering people manager.

You bring 3–5+ years of people management experience in software engineering, ideally in B2B SaaS environments.

Strong delivery leadership.

You have a track record of leading squads of 5-10 engineers through full product and delivery cycles.

Technically credible.

You come from a strong technical background as a backend or full-stack engineer (former Senior Engineer or equivalent). You read code comfortably, engage on server-side architecture and trade-offs, and contribute meaningfully to technical discussions about the systems your squads own. Backend experience in Java/Kotlin is a plus, since our backend runs on Kotlin/Quarkus.

Builder of strong engineers.

Your former reports got promoted, took on broader scope, or grew into roles that better matched their strengths.

Strong hiring instinct.

You have experience hiring engineers and successfully closing high-quality candidates.

Comfortable with difficult conversations.

You are comfortable having clear, honest, and sometimes difficult conversations when needed.

Clear communicator.

You are fluent in written and spoken English. You communicate clearly across engineering, product, and leadership teams and create alignment through strong written and verbal communication.

Who We Don’t Want

Pure delivery manager.

You treat engineering as a ticketing operation focused only on timelines and task tracking instead of product quality, technical health, and team growth. We need engineering leaders, not project coordinators.

Engineer escaping into management.

You moved into management mainly to stop coding rather than because you genuinely enjoy leading, coaching, and developing people. This role requires a real interest in people leadership, not retreating from technical work.

Top-down architecture owner.

You want to personally own architecture decisions alone instead of enabling strong technical ownership within engineering teams. Engineers own architecture decisions - you participate, challenge, and sponsor the right investments.

First-time people manager.

You are entering engineering management for the first time and have not yet experienced leading teams through performance, hiring, and scaling challenges. We’re looking for someone who has already managed engineering teams successfully.

Remote-only operator.

You prefer fully remote work and don’t want to actively build relationships and culture in person with the team. We believe strong engineering leadership requires regular in-person collaboration and presence in Berlin.

Your Day To Day

• You run weekly or bi-weekly 1:1s with each of your direct reports to support growth, alignment, and execution
• You lead growth conversations and performance reviews - including development planning, quarterly check-ins, and calibration sessions with peers and the CTO
• You work closely with PMs and senior engineers on cycle planning, scoping, prioritization, dependencies, and team capacity
• You actively participate in architecture and tech debt discussions - challenging decisions, supporting strong technical direction, and sponsoring long-term investments
• You play a key role in hiring - from interviewing and feedback to debriefs and closing strong candidates
• You collaborate closely across squads with other Engineering Managers and the CTO to maintain alignment and execution quality
• You handle difficult conversations directly and thoughtfully - including performance issues, conflicts, and compensation discussions, with support from the CTO where needed

Stakeholders

CTO: Your manager and partner on people development, calibration, technical direction
Direct Reports: Engineers in your squad(s); you own their development, performance, and growth
Product Manager(s): PMs own what and why; you own how (delivery) and who (people)
People Ops: Partner on compensation and processes

Why People Choose Us

Mission that matters. Real impact on small businesses, not abstract metrics

Funded with conviction. $16.5M raised with a strong trajectory toward profitability

Modern stack. Kotlin/Quarkus, AWS, TypeScript/React/Next.js, and LangGraph for AI-powered features

Squad-based organization. Each squad owns its domain end-to-end with real ownership and autonomy

Product-led structure. PMs report directly to the CPO, keeping product strategy focused, consistent, and clearly prioritized

Engineers own technical decisions. Engineering Managers participate, challenge, and sponsor decisions - but engineering judgment stays with the team

Hybrid by design. Our Berlin office in Prenzlauer Berg is the center of gravity, with two work-from-home days as the standard setup

Direct feedback culture. Honest, direct, and kind feedback is part of how we work together - in 1:1s, retrospectives, and everyday collaboration

Two clear career tracks. We support both Individual Contributor growth (up to Staff level) and Engineering Management paths, with explicit reversibility between both

Benefits & Culture

• Choose between an Urban Sports Club/John Reed membership or a public transport/Dance subscription
• Regular company and team events
• Annual personal development budget of €500 for conferences, courses, books, career coaching, and more
• An inclusive and exciting startup culture that enables fast professional and personal growth
• Beautiful office in the heart of Berlin (Prenzlauer Allee 242) with free snacks, drinks, and top-notch equipment

We want to build a community, not just a company.

It’s important to us to create an environment where people genuinely enjoy spending time together - whether that’s through HYROX training, golfing, beer pong tournaments, running clubs, Warhammer, weekend activities, or whatever kind of community you’d like to help build here!

We're looking for people with passion, grit, and integrity. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the description. At Superchat, we welcome diverse perspectives and people who think rigorously.

Relocating to Berlin? We support you with practical relocation help. You'll feel home in no time.

We look forward to your application!

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Expert Career Tips for Engineering Manager (m/f/d) Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Engineering Manager (m/f/d), you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Engineering Manager (m/f/d) requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Berlin and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Berlin, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Engineering Manager (m/f/d) position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.