Engineering Manager in FinTech & Mobile Tech Lead from LATAM: Eliana’s Journey

Breaking Into Tech.

Climbing into leadership as a woman in software engineering is hard.

But that didn’t stop Eliana Mejia, our standout candidate, from doing both - while raising two children and pursuing a career abroad.

With 15 years of experience, Eliana’s journey is a lesson in perseverance, evolution, and global ambition.

A Mobile Leader With Strong Backend Roots

Eliana started her career in backend development (Java + Spring) but made a bold pivot into mobile development back in 2012. Since then, she’s worked across:

• Native Android (Java/Kotlin)
• Flutter cross-platform apps
• Projects in eCommerce, fintech, and even crypto

Now, she’s an Engineering Manager leading six mobile squads at a top financial client.

Her work spans technical reviews, architectural oversight, team mentoring, and project coordination.

“I still review code, do PRs, and lead from the front. Being a Tech Lead isn’t just about management — it's about staying close to the code.”

Moving to Europe to Learn & Grow

Despite a stable career, Eliana moved to Belfast, Ireland to improve her English and expand her global opportunities.

Her goal? Work at an international company and position herself competitively for senior leadership roles abroad.

“It wasn’t easy, especially with a family. But if I want to keep growing, I have to step out of my comfort zone.”

She joined our program throughout all this - inspired by our focus on high-quality interview prep, system design, and global mobility support.

Keys to Managing High-Performing Teams

Eliana’s management style is rooted in structure, technical mentorship, and constant communication.

She recommends:

• Daily contact with developers to understand blockers and support their growth.
• Joining critical agile ceremonies like planning and refinement to advocate for realistic workloads.
• Giving feedback quickly and with empathy - focusing on learning, not blame.

“A good engineer self-manages, raises blockers early, and constantly seeks improvement. That’s what I look for.”

Her Take on Mobile Hiring & AI in Engineering

She’s noticed a shift: mobile roles are fewer and require broader full-stack skills.

“10 years ago, basic mobile skills were enough. Now companies want integrated profiles: CI/CD, testing, full-stack awareness.”

On AI in coding interviews?

“AI won’t replace developers. But beginners relying on AI too early risk never building real intuition. Use it to enhance - not replace - your brain.”

What’s Next?

She is now focused on:

• Reaching C1+ English proficiency
• Restarting advanced technical interview prep
• Targeting top international companies as a Tech Lead or Senior Developer
• Building AI side projects to stay technically sharp

“I study in my free time because learning is what I love.”