Klaviyo Career Growth & Development

What makes your role now a dream job? What do you get to do that you didn’t at other companies? 

One word: growth. Klaviyo fosters a strong culture of learning and support. When I joined as a software engineer II, transitioning from a data scientist role, it was a big leap —

but I was given the space and encouragement to grow. In just a few years, I’ve gained experience with industry-leading technologies like Spark, Apache Iceberg and Apache Flink while also developing both technical and soft skills through project ownership. Even early on, my manager empowered me to lead initiatives and drive team objectives.

Klaviyo invests in engineers through learning stipends, mentorship programs and opportunities to attend conferences and training sessions. That commitment to development is something I truly value. The collaboration here is also a highlight. Whether it’s engineers, product managers or designers, everyone is approachable, and there’s a strong culture of helping each other out. I’m proud of the features we build and excited to see the impact they make on our customers. Every new project feels like another opportunity to grow and contribute.

What do you think helped you land the job? Were you able to bring any special expertise or project experience that Klaviyo found valuable?

When I joined Klaviyo as a junior engineer, I believe my background in both data science and web applications made me a strong fit, especially since the team was a part of the data science department at the time. Having experience in both areas helped me bridge the gap between analysis and implementation. Strong technical and communication skills were also key in the interview process. Being able to explain my thinking clearly and collaborate cross-functionally was just as important as writing code.

After I joined, another valuable asset was my experience with Spark and distributed systems. Klaviyo processes millions of records, and when we migrated to a data lake, my familiarity with large-scale Spark jobs helped the team adapt more quickly. Sometimes, skills you’ve picked up from past roles can become unexpectedly useful. Staying up to date with popular and evolving technologies can give you an edge — even if you don’t know exactly when you’ll use them.

What do you think helps engineers move up quickly or be the top pick for a competitive employer? What should engineers seek out if they hope to move up or be hired by their “dream” company?

Find a role model within your team or org; someone whose path you admire. Observe how they work, communicate and lead. It’s one of the fastest ways to grow, both technically and professionally.

Be proactive. Look for chances to take ownership and contribute beyond what’s expected. Communication skills, initiative and the ability to learn quickly are just as important as technical knowledge.

Take full advantage of learning resources, whether it’s internal documentation, Slack history, the company wiki, codebases or online tutorials. Being resourceful and self-driven can help you ramp up faster, unblock yourself, and solve problems more effectively.

If you’re aiming for a “dream job,” focus on aligning your experience with the role. Build up the skills that are in high demand for that position. In the end, curiosity, adaptability and a growth mindset are what help engineers stand out in competitive environments.