Engineering Onboarding at SwissBorg

Published in

SwissBorg Engineering

5 min readDec 19, 2023

Introduction

Starting a new job can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. At SwissBorg, we understand the importance of a smooth onboarding process to ensure that new engineers start on the right foot. In this article, we will provide an overview of the onboarding process in the engineering team at SwissBorg, covering the initial call, actual set up, and expectations.

The administrative part 🤓

When a new engineer joins SwissBorg, we ensure a smooth onboarding process by taking care of a few administrative tasks. First, we provide them with a shiny MacBook, which will be their primary working tool. Additionally, we help them set up their email address, granting them access to all the necessary resources they will need for their role.

To further support their integration into the company, we schedule a call with a member of our People team. During this call, the new engineer will receive important information and have the opportunity to ask any questions or address any concerns they may have.

They are also tasked with their first assignment: collaborate with the other newcomers throughout the organisation to prepare a Graduation Pitch, where they will present an innovative product/feature idea to the rest of the company during our weekly Pow Wow. A challenging but essential exercise that binds people together.

Initial Call

After the call with the People team, the onboarding process continues with the first contact between the new engineer and their manager. This call serves as an opportunity to provide important information and establish a connection.

During the call, the manager covers various topics, building the person’s “situational awareness”:

Addressing any questions or concerns the new engineer may have
Providing context about the team they will be joining (what is your team, who is in it, what is the mission, what are the current challenges and why we chose them to have an impact)
Introducing themselves as manager and explaining their role
Guiding the new engineer to relevant resources, such as Confluence and Slack channels
Introducing the onboarding meetings and recurring team meetings
Assigning a buddy who can assist with technical onboarding, with a quick introduction
Offering ongoing support and assistance

Some people in the engineering team have a Readme attached to their Slack profile, providing an easy way for newcomers to get a head start in their relationship with their new colleagues!

Engineering introductions

Once the initial call is complete, the actual set up process begins for their manager. This involves coordinating various onboarding meetings and ensuring that the new engineer has access to essential resources (e.g. Slack channels, Consensus Group).

They schedule a series of onboarding meetings with team members to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of the engineering department within their first month. They are also a way to make initial contact with some of the key members of the engineering team.

System Overview: a Back-end Staff Engineer reviews the development and deployment processes.
Infrastructure & Deployment Overview: an SRE Staff Engineer gives an overview on the low-level parts of the system.
How to QA: a QA Staff Engineer explains how quality insurance works at SwissBorg and what are the expectations for every role involved.
Team Organisation: a Senior Engineering Manager zooms out on the whole organisation and how the teams fit together.
How Engineering Fits into SwissBorg Mission: finally, the CTO displays the high-level vision and what is our impact in the company’s strategy.

These meetings are generally spread over a 1–2 weeks to not overload the newcomer with information.

Finally, the manager schedules bi-weekly 1:1s to start building a relationship with the newcomer and support their integration in the team and the company.

First 1:1

The first 1:1 meeting between the new engineer and their manager is an important opportunity to establish rapport and discuss various aspects of their role. Some topics that may be covered in the first 1:1 agenda include:

Checking in on the new engineer’s experience so far
Encouraging the new engineer to read the manager’s readme and get to know colleagues and managers
Explaining the purpose and importance of 1:1 meetings
Highlighting the importance of feedback and creating an environment for open communication
Exploring asynchronous communication methods and best practices (SwissBorg is a remote-first company)
Providing an opportunity for the new engineer to ask any questions
Discussing professional and personal goals, as a way to introduce the Personal Development Plan in the following weeks
Introducing the career ladder, discussing the engineer’s level and expectations.

Expectations

In the dynamic work environment at SwissBorg, each team operates within a complex architecture and deals with vast business domains. As a result, it is anticipated that most new joiners will require approximately 6 months to acclimate and reach their full potential within the company. During this crucial period, the manager plays a pivotal role in closely observing the progress of the new engineer and their overall integration into the team. The manager focuses on maintaining a healthy balance and fostering continuous improvement.

One of the key responsibilities of the buddy is to be readily available to connect the new engineer with their internal network. By doing so, they enable the new hire to establish meaningful relationships, seek guidance, and tap into the collective knowledge and experience of their colleagues. This connection-building process is instrumental in facilitating a smooth transition and enabling the new engineer to gradually gain autonomy and confidence in their role.

The manager takes deliberate steps to gradually involve the new engineer in the critical path of the team’s projects and initiatives. This strategic approach allows the new hire to gradually take on more responsibility and make a tangible impact on the team’s outcomes. Through ongoing mentorship and guidance, the whole team ensures that the new engineer feels supported and confident in their abilities.

As the 6-month mark approaches, the majority of our new employees have successfully integrated into the company. They have not only established their own internal network but have also demonstrated their ability to contribute significantly to their team.

What they say

If you want to hear more about what it means to be an engineer at SwissBorg, we have published a handful of testimonials:

Conclusion

The onboarding process in the engineering team at SwissBorg aims to ensure that new engineers feel welcomed, supported, and equipped to contribute to the organisation’s mission. Through initial calls, onboarding activities, and 1:1 meetings, we strive to provide a comprehensive onboarding experience. By following this structured process, we set our engineers up for success and foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.