Application Guide
How to Apply for Engineering Manager (f/m/x) - remote
at refurbed
🏢 About refurbed
refurbed is a mission-driven company focused on making high-quality refurbished tech accessible while promoting sustainability. Unlike typical e-commerce platforms, they combine environmental impact with premium customer experience, offering a compelling alternative to new electronics. Working here means contributing directly to reducing electronic waste while building scalable technology solutions.
About This Role
This Engineering Manager role specifically supports engineers in Customer Success and Delivery & Returns teams, ensuring technical excellence while improving end-to-end customer experience. You'll bridge product, business, and engineering to deliver reliable solutions that directly impact customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. The role requires balancing team management with technical architecture decisions in a remote, EU-based environment.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves morning syncs with Customer Success and Delivery teams to address technical blockers, followed by architecture discussions for scalable solutions. You might review code or design documents, conduct 1:1s with engineers across EU time zones, and collaborate with Product managers on roadmap planning for customer experience improvements.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who refurbed Is Looking For
- Has 4+ years managing senior backend/frontend engineers in distributed systems, with experience in e-commerce or customer-facing platforms
- Demonstrates proven ability to mentor engineers while maintaining technical depth in scalable service design and architecture reviews
- Combines empathy with clear performance management, having successfully retained and developed engineering talent in remote settings
- Is based in EU time zone with strong English skills and either a CS degree or equivalent hands-on experience in backend systems
📝 Tips for Applying to refurbed
Highlight specific experience managing engineers in customer-facing teams (like Customer Success or Returns) rather than just product engineering
Quantify impact on customer experience metrics (e.g., reduced resolution time, improved reliability) from previous engineering leadership roles
Mention familiarity with sustainability or circular economy concepts, as this aligns with refurbed's mission
Emphasize remote management experience with distributed teams across EU time zones
Include examples of partnering with Product teams to shape roadmaps for customer experience improvements
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your approach to balancing technical excellence with customer experience improvements in engineering teams', 'Specific examples of developing engineers in remote settings while maintaining team performance', 'Experience with scalable backend systems relevant to e-commerce or customer service platforms', "Why refurbed's sustainability mission resonates with your engineering leadership philosophy"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → refurbed's specific refurbishment process and quality standards for different product categories
- → Their customer service approach and any public metrics about customer satisfaction or return rates
- → Technical blog posts or engineering culture insights from their team members
- → Their growth trajectory in European markets and recent funding rounds or expansions
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on technical management without demonstrating impact on customer experience
- Not having remote management experience or familiarity with EU time zone collaboration
- Generic leadership examples without specifics about backend systems or distributed architecture
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!