Day in the Life: Mahsa, Backend Engineer at ING
Discover how Mahsa, a Senior Software Engineer at ING, keeps credit card payment systems secure and running around the clock. From reviewing overnight alerts and daily stand-ups to mentoring junior engineers and incident analysis, Mahsa walks us through a full day of backend engineering. She also shares what she loves about working at ING and how she unwinds after a productive day.
Name: Mahsa
Job: Backend Engineer at ING
What do you do in your role?
As a Senior Software Engineer, my role focuses on building and maintaining secure, high-availability services that process credit card payments. I implement new features, resolve production incidents, improve system stability, and ensure that all processes meet strict compliance and security criteria. Additionally, I manage monitoring and alerting tools that keep our systems reliable around the clock.
Here's what a day in Mahsa's life looks like!
9-10 AM:
Today I'm working from the office, so I start my morning with a cup of coffee from one of the coffee bars. Before diving into development, I check overnight alerts, review incident reports, and scan my emails and Teams messages for updates. I also provide an async update to the team on progress made the previous day and outline my focus areas for today.
10-10:30 AM:
Our daily stand-up takes place. We share progress, discuss any blockers, and align on priorities. As a Senior Engineer, I pay special attention to potential technical risks and dependencies that may impact the team, and I help unblock any issues that arise.
10:30 AM-12 PM:
I begin working on a new feature related to our credit card services. Before writing code, I review the technical specifications, validate the functional and security requirements, and ensure that the design complies with our compliance and risk standards. If any clarification is needed, I reach out to product owners, architects, or domain experts.
12-1 PM:
Lunch time! I join colleagues at the canteen in the office. It's a great opportunity to unwind, chat, and connect with people from other teams.
1-2 PM:
I continue implementing the new functionality. This often includes writing backend logic in Java, designing robust APIs, and making sure the solution integrates seamlessly with existing payment systems. I also write unit tests and update monitoring dashboards to support 24/7 reliability.
2-3 PM:
We have our weekly technical or architecture meeting, where we review upcoming initiatives, security requirements, and system improvements. I contribute by sharing insights, identifying potential risks, and ensuring that our designs support scalability, resilience, and compliance.
3-4 PM:
I dedicate part of my afternoon to supporting junior engineers and teammates. This may include pair programming, explaining design decisions, reviewing their code, or guiding them through best practices in Java, testing, or secure coding. Mentorship is an important part of my role, and I enjoy helping others grow in their careers.
4-5 PM:
I focus on incident analysis and system reliability. I review any recent anomalies, analyze logs, and collaborate with SRE teams when needed. I also continue implementing the feature I'm working on, writing unit and integration tests and validating that security controls and monitoring rules are in place.
5-6 PM:
I wrap up my day by updating our Azure board, documenting progress, and preparing notes for the next day. I ensure that any ongoing incidents or open tasks have clear follow-ups. Before logging off, I monitor the health of critical services to make sure everything is running smoothly.
How do you unwind at the end of a workday?
To unwind at the end of the workday, I enjoy taking walks, watching movies, and playing board games. These activities help me relax and recharge after a productive day.
What do you love about your job and your employer?
I appreciate that my role is dynamic and ever-evolving, which keeps the work engaging and ensures that no two days feel the same. ING provides a well-structured and supportive environment that enables continuous growth and development. The organization offers ample resources for learning, and the culture promotes collaboration, professionalism, and a healthy workplace atmosphere.
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