14 Apr It’s a match: How Tinder’s engineering team works to build relationships
Tinder is in the business of relationships. So it makes sense that its engineering team is built on personal connections.
With fewer than 200 engineers maintaining a platform for millions of users, the company maintains a tight-knit staff that enables each person to make a difference. In the office, that means constant brainstorming sessions, Slack feedback channels and internal test groups.
But those relationships extend outside the office, too, with frequent barbecues, trips to Big Bear and trivia nights. Those bonds shape the app and make it easier than ever for users to spark a new relationship.
We spoke with four members of the Tinder engineering team to learn more about how they build connections both at work and in their own lives.
Tinder
STAY FIT: The company offers circuit training and kickboxing on Mondays, yoga on Tuesdays, breath work on Wednesdays, as well as seated massages to round out the week.
Samantha Stevens leads the location product at Tinder, which helps users share the places they go and what they do to spark connections and compatibility. She loves going to work every day knowing she’s building Brasiliansk orderbrud a product that can have an impact on somebody’s life.
BEYOND WORK: Samantha dabbles in calligraphy. The art form gives her a break from spreadsheets and reminds her that mistakes are part of the learning process.
My process is different for each team and individual. Some people operate better with defined schedules, while others prefer full autonomy to achieve a goal. Understanding how to work with each person can spur progress. Good ideas can come from anywhere. We meet regularly with cross-functional stakeholders to brainstorm solutions, pitch new concepts and get each other excited about what’s ahead.
Tinder is a small company compared to our user base and revenue, which means each person is able to have an outsized impact.”
Tinder is a small company compared to our user base and revenue, which means each person is able to have an outsized impact. At my previous job, I managed the company website on a team with 20 product managers and 10 designers. At Tinder, I was hired as the web product manager and built the website from scratch with senior product designer Brooke Hollabaugh. There was a lot of openness to new ideas. It’s in the nature of a small, yet mighty company.
We like to hang out together outside of work, whether at company events like our summer party or karaoke nights, or casually on the weekend barbecuing at someone’s house. We have trivia games, sports leagues and Slack channels for all sorts of hobbies. Some team members go on weekend snowboarding trips to Big Bear and road trips to Palm Springs. Brooke (Hollabaugh) and I are going to France for her birthday next month.
It’s a match: How Tinder’s engineering team works to build relationships
Alex Ross leads a team of 25 engineers divided into three squads: location product, location platform and trust. The location teams work to build a more personalized experience for users through geolocation, while the trust team develops tools to ensure people on the app are authentic and respectful.
The best part about Tinder is that it introduces you to a more diverse set of people than you would otherwise meet. Some of the most interesting people I’ve met in the last year – diplomats, crypto traders and data privacy experts – have all been through Tinder.
The best part about Tinder is that it introduces you to a more diverse set of people than you would otherwise meet.”
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