Application Guide
How to Apply for Engineering Manager
at Workiva
🏢 About Workiva
Workiva is a leader in integrated ESG reporting, helping organizations streamline climate impact and compliance. Its remote-first culture and focus on transparent, sustainable business practices make it an attractive employer for mission-driven engineers. The company's platform reduces cognitive load for hundreds of engineers, offering a unique opportunity to shape foundational services.
About This Role
As Engineering Manager for the Service Platform, you'll lead a squad building SDKs and messaging systems that empower hundreds of engineers across Workiva. Your work directly reduces technical debt and enables seamless cross-team collaboration. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with strategic roadmap planning and large-scale migration efforts.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day starts with a stand-up with your squad, followed by one-on-ones to mentor engineers and unblock them. You'll spend time reviewing technical designs for SDKs or messaging systems, then join cross-team meetings to align on roadmap dependencies. Afternoons might involve representing Workiva at an engineering event or participating in recruiting interviews.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Workiva Is Looking For
- Has 4+ years of software engineering experience with a deep understanding of Workiva's ecosystem and architectural influence.
- Proven track record of mentoring peers and leading squad-level initiatives, fostering psychological safety and continuous improvement.
- Strong strategic communication skills for cross-team outreach, dependency management, and representing Engineering at events.
- Experience driving platform evolution, including designing SDKs, messaging systems, and leading migration efforts to reduce technical debt.
📝 Tips for Applying to Workiva
Tailor your resume to highlight platform engineering experience, especially with SDKs, messaging systems, and large-scale migrations.
In your cover letter, reference Workiva's ESG mission and connect it to your own passion for sustainability or transparent reporting.
Showcase specific examples of leading cross-team initiatives and managing dependencies in a remote environment.
Mention any experience with psychological safety practices or building inclusive engineering cultures.
Quantify the impact of your previous work (e.g., reduced cognitive load for X engineers, migrated Y services, improved Z metrics).
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Emphasize your experience with platform engineering and reducing technical debt at scale.', 'Highlight your leadership style: fostering psychological safety, mentoring, and continuous improvement.', "Demonstrate strategic communication skills by describing how you've aligned roadmaps across teams.", "Express enthusiasm for Workiva's ESG mission and how your work on the Service Platform enables transparent reporting."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Workiva's latest ESG reports and understand how their platform integrates with climate compliance standards.
- → Explore Workiva's engineering blog or tech talks to understand their current platform architecture and challenges.
- → Learn about Workiva's remote culture and employee reviews on Glassdoor to align your leadership style.
- → Research the Service Platform's existing SDKs and messaging systems (if publicly available) to identify areas for improvement.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't focus solely on management experience; this role requires deep technical understanding of platform engineering.
- Avoid generic leadership examples; tie your experience to reducing cognitive load and technical debt specifically.
- Don't neglect the ESG aspect; failing to connect with the company's mission can signal misalignment.
📅 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!