Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation.Let’s dive in and get to know them better with the Engineering Manager – Atif Shaik
Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about what a typical day looks like for the Cross Border team?
Atif: We’re one of the teams building the next big thing at Mercari, so our days are packed with energy and purpose. We start with a quick sync to catch up on where everyone is with their tasks and anything exciting (or challenging) from the day before. After that, we often have discussions with our product manager and maybe a few other team members to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we’re on the same page, we dive deep into focused work—building the core pieces of our new app. It’s pretty intense, but knowing we’re building something global makes it super rewarding.
Mercari India: Tell us more about the engineers you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates?
Atif: We’re looking for a passionate folks to join us—a true enthusiast who’s excited by the idea of building for a global audience. It’s fast-paced here, but if you love learning quickly and tackling fresh challenges, you’ll fit right in. We’re after someone who doesn’t just think about the tech; we want someone who has a real appreciation for the product and the experience we’re delivering to people. It’s not just about code; it’s about crafting something people will love using.
Mercari India: How does your team collaborate and what tools or methods do you use to stay connected and productive?
Atif: Slack is our lifeline! We’re an async-first team, which means we value each other’s time by keeping meetings to a minimum. We rely heavily on clear, effective communication, which lets us focus more on building and less on talking. We’re big on documenting everything in JIRA and Confluence—every conversation, every idea, so nothing gets lost. This approach allows us to prioritize progress over perfection and keep things moving without getting bogged down.
Mercari India: What are some exciting projects your team is working on right now?
Atif: Oh, this is the fun part! We’re working on a next-gen marketplace that’s truly global—think of it as your gateway to the world’s markets. We’re creating a way for people to buy and sell items internationally without worrying about quality or logistics. Imagine being able to purchase anything from anywhere in the world, knowing that everything—from quality control to shipping—is taken care of. It’s ambitious, but that’s what makes it thrilling. It’s about making a real difference in how people connect and transact globally.
Mercari India: How do you foster a positive team dynamic and ensure everyone feels included and valued?
Atif: Our team vibe is honestly one of my favorite things. We put a lot of effort into building each other up. Feedback is a big deal here—we give it one-on-one and always make it constructive, but when we celebrate, we do it as a team. There’s this deep respect for everyone’s perspective, and it shows. We also make it a point to step away from work together. Whether it’s a group dinner or just sharing a few laughs, those moments really strengthen our bond. We’re loud, we’re supportive, and we’re always there for each other—no one’s voice gets lost here.
Mercari India: What do you enjoy most about working at Mercari and in the tech industry in general?
Atif: Mercari has this unique mix of freedom and structure that really allows everyone to work at their best. We have the flexibility to define how we work, and there’s a lot of mutual respect for how we all operate. The tech industry itself is full of passionate people, and every day feels like a new learning experience. It’s just inspiring to be part of such a driven, talented group that’s always pushing for better.
Mercari India: Can you share a memorable experience or achievement the team has had?
Atif: Oh, I remember this so well. When we kicked off in October, we had just two weeks to pull together the first pilot version of the app—a simple screen that connected to multiple backend pieces. It was ambitious, and we didn’t have all the answers. What was amazing was seeing how everyone stepped up. There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of rigorous discussions, and a ton of determination. In just two weeks, we had a fully functioning screen ready to demo and all pieces were in place. That moment when we saw it live—knowing all the effort that went into it—was a huge win for the whole team. It was a reminder of what’s possible when you have a group of people who are all in it together.
Mercari India: Any advice for someone looking to join Mercari or start a career in tech?
Atif: If you want to be somewhere that genuinely cares about your growth, gives you flexibility, and challenges you to reach new heights, Mercari could be your place. It’s somewhere that encourages you to bring your best self to work every day. It’s a place where opportunity is limitless, and if you’re eager to learn and grow, you’ll find your path here. Working here is as much about building great things as it is about building yourself. If that sounds like your kind of journey, then welcome aboard!
Interested in joining the Cross-Border team? Mercari India is looking to hire for the below role:
QA Engineer
And if you are inspired to be part of an organization that values growth, learning, and collaboration, we encourage you to look out for more opportunities on our careers website.
Stay tuned for more stories, lessons, and reflections as we continue to learn and grow together.
