A Day In The Life Of A Product Engineer At Graphistry
Alex, a Product Engineer at Graphistry, describes their workday as a balance between "maker" and "manager" roles, prioritizing focused work ("three hours of focus") on challenging problems and building front-ends to deliver tangible results. The remote work setup requires careful self-management, utilizing strategies like coworking spaces and limiting video calls to maintain this balance and achieve a good workflow.
Coding, Problem-Solving, Time Management, Remote Work, Work-Life Balance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alex Warren
Product Engineer
Graphistry
University of Arizona 2015
None
Computer Science
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Product engineering involves a balance of focused work and collaboration.
2. Effective time management and creating a conducive work environment are crucial for productivity.
3. A product engineer's work includes both creative problem-solving and practical tasks such as coding and front-end development.
Transcript
What does a day in the life of a food stack product engineer look like?
I'm working remotely, so it's really about creating focus for myself. This is an open question, and I'm trying to find better ways to do it.
One thing I've found is that staying up late helps me focus. However, it takes a toll on my physical well-being. Ideally, I'd like to have around three hours of focused work time.
Some problems are challenging, and it's enjoyable to work on them. There's also a lot of tactical work involved. So, the question is how to structure my day effectively.
Since I don't have a physical office, I sometimes work from cafes or co-working spaces with friends. A few of my coworkers are in the area, so we occasionally meet up.
Like I mentioned, I prefer to be in the "maker" role, so I want to limit video calls. I aim for one call a day, or at most two, but usually closer to one these days.
From a management perspective, it can involve many calls. However, I enjoy balancing my time between research-oriented questions and other tasks, often spanning several weeks.
I also genuinely enjoy building front-ends because I can deliver something engaging that others can experience. Supporting this work, however, requires many other tasks to be completed.
Ultimately, I'm trying to figure out how to organize my life and work environment. This includes having a good desk setup or other arrangements that provide the structure needed for my thoughts. This structure should feel good and support the various types of work that come up.