Life as an Engineering Manager at Vinted
Millions of people rely on Vinted every day. Behind that scale is a platform built to handle massive amounts of data and constant change – powered by the engineers who keep it all running smoothly. Our Engineering Managers (EMs) lead those teams. They connect people, shape ideas into products and keep the technology strong as we expand to more than 20 markets.
We spoke with 3 Engineering Managers from across the Vinted Group about what the role really involves, how it differs between departments, and what they've learned about leading ambitious engineering work. Audronė Šopauskaitė, Rugilė Lukoševičiūtė, and Karolis Žilinskas each have different stories that show how technical skill and genuine care come together to build something that truly evolves with the company, and why Vinted is a place where talented engineers can become exceptional leaders.
What being an Engineering Manager means at Vinted
Some managers have a full Engineering, Product, Design & Analytics (EPDA) team, but Audronė's is all Backend Engineers. Keeping close to the tech and working with a very technical team keeps her sharp.
Our job is to make sure things run smoothly. From planning the next quarter to making sure everyone gets the time and support they need.Audronė Šopauskaitė
There’s no single way to be an EM here. The details change from team to team, but the goal stays the same: help great engineers accomplish their potential and keep scalable systems moving forward.
I help engineers do their best work. Removing blockers, keeping us aligned with goals, and guiding growth. I don’t code anymore, but I stay close enough to make smart trade‑offs.Rugilė Lukoševičiūtė
Across the Vinted Group, managers spend less time in meetings about processes and more time helping people perform at a high level. They connect dots across product, delivery, and design, fostering real autonomy among their groups. It’s a role that mixes engineering context with leadership craft, and for ambitious engineers, it’s a chance to shape how millions experience the platform every day.
The skills that make a difference – what our team thinks
Good leadership at Vinted takes many forms, but the biggest misconception? That you need to be the strongest coder, or the only expert in the room. Many think that as an Engineering Manager, you’re the one making technical decisions that the team later has to implement, but that's not true! As an Engineering Manager, you enable others to own and deliver the tasks, making it more about the group, not just your own skills.
Meeting new challenges, finding your stride
Taking on leadership brings fresh complexity – different concerns, new problem spaces, and the challenge of defining success through others' progress. But here’s a little secret our Engineering Managers shared: When you're new to it, you might feel you have to own every issue. In reality, you rarely face obstacles alone. Peer support and asking for advice make a big difference.
Rugilė had the challenge of joining a group that was still finding its footing. At first, there were no clear ownership boundaries, which made things a bit uncertain, but then, through workshops, mapping responsibilities, and improving shared knowledge, real structure was built. The team became more aligned, and the results showed.
What helped me most is staying deeply connected to work that excites me – in my case, security. When you genuinely care about the problem, the hard parts of leadership become easier to navigate because you’re driven by purpose, not just responsibility.Karolis Žilinskas
Building a positive team culture
Culture can make or break a team. One simple rule guides many of our leaders: "Would I want to return as an individual contributor to this department? If not, it's time to reflect and fix what's missing."
A meaningful, lasting culture is created when leaders lead by example. These Engineering Managers agree that Vinted treats them as partners, not layers of management. Everyone has a voice in shaping how things get done. When trust and communication flow openly, quality follows naturally.
Encouraging feedback, experimenting boldly, and celebrating learning wins – big or small – create a space where people can grow together.
Advice for the next generation of Engineering Managers
Ready to lead at Vinted?
Engineering Managers here have a real stake in the future of second-hand. If you want to combine technical expertise, leadership, and meaningful impact on a product used by millions, Vinted offers a place to shape your own path. Bring your ideas, growth mindset, and curiosity – we'll back you to take the next step.
Explore open Engineering roles.