Alexandrina Karakehayova, Senior II Software Engineer at FT Specialist in Sofia, looks back on her journey since joining during the early stages of building the local engineering team.
She shares how working across multiple products, stepping into dual responsibilities, and completing a Master’s in AI shaped her professional growth. From building strong technical foundations to helping others thrive, Alexandrina’s story highlights the impact of trust, flexibility, and a supportive culture in building a fulfilling career at the FT.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey before joining the FT? What drew you to software engineering?
What initially drew me to software engineering was the combination of creativity and logic. I’ve always enjoyed solving problems and building things, and engineering felt like the perfect space to do both. You can take an idea, break it down into components, and then bring it to life through code. That sense of creation and the ability to constantly learn is what still excites me about the field.
Before joining the FT, I worked as a full-stack engineer at another product company. It was a great learning environment where I built internal systems and got to work across the entire stack. It gave me solidtechnical foundations, but over time, I realised I was craving something more impactful, something where the work I did would reach and benefit real users. So, when the opportunity at the FT came up, it felt like the right step. I saw it as a chance to contribute to a product with global reach, be part of something new in Sofia, and grow in an environment that values both engineering excellence and collaboration.
What was it like joining the Specialist team in Sofia as one of the first engineers back in 2019?Joining the Specialist team in Sofia in 2019 was a unique and exciting experience. The team was brand new but the products we were working on were well-established and already in use by a global audience. Our mission was to support and eventually migrate these products to a newer tech stack, which required us to ramp up quickly, understand the legacy code, and make thoughtful decisions about what to improve and how. It was a real crash course in balancing stability with progress and keeping things running while also pushing for better architecture, performance, and maintainability.
Because the team was just forming, there was also a lot of opportunity to shape our ways of working, establish team culture, and define how we collaborate with other parts of the organisation. Looking back, it was a really formative time. Not just technically, but in terms of team building and leadership. It laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
What happened next? Which teams were you part of?
After joining, I first started working on fDi Intelligence, which was actually the first title within FT Specialist to go through some kind of modernisation. Here I got hands-on experience with updating legacy systems while delivering real value to the business.That project was a real learning experience. It taught us a lot about what we wanted to achieve with our new architecture and development practices, but just as importantly, what approaches and decisions we’d want to avoid going forward.
From there, I moved on to Investors Chronicle, where I contributed to a major website update in time for its 160th anniversary which was a significant milestone for the brand and an exciting challenge for the team. After that, I supported FTAdviser, continuing the modernisation efforts and helping improve its overall performance and maintainability.
Since you’ve been with FT Specialist in Sofia since the early days, what stands out to you about the culture there?
The culture at FT Specialist and in the Sofia office in particular is one of the main reasons I’ve stayed and grown here. There’s a strong sense of purpose behind what we do, but also a very human, down-to-earth approach to how we work. People genuinely care, not just about delivering great software, but about helping each other succeed.
What stands out to me is the balance between autonomy and support. We’re trusted to make decisions, to experiment, and to own our work, but there’s also a real openness to collaboration and learning from one another. Everyone—from engineers to managers—is approachable, and there’s a shared commitment to doing things the right way, even if it takes a bit longer. It’s a culture where you can grow. Not just because the opportunities are there, but because you’re surrounded by people who want to grow with you.
What is your team, product and responsibilities now?
Right now, I’m part of the team behind The Banker, one of the FT Specialist's products focused on global financial intelligence and banking industry insight. In terms of my role, I wear two hats. As a technical lead, I’m responsible for the technical direction of our project. Making sure we’re building scalable, maintainable solutions that meet both business and user needs. That includes everything from hands-on coding and code reviews to aligning with product stakeholders and mentoring engineers.
At the same time, I also act as a people manager. That means I’m focused on supporting the growth and development of the individuals on my team through regular 1:1s, feedback, career planning, and helping create an environment where people can do their best work.
Balancing both roles has been a great learning experience, and I really enjoy the mix of strategic thinking, technical depth, and human connection it brings.
How was the journey of becoming a tech lead and a people manager for you?
Becoming a tech lead was a natural progression from being a senior engineer. It meant stepping up to take more ownership over architectural decisions, aligning with stakeholders, and supporting the team technically.
But moving into people management was a different kind of challenge. It required me to shift focus from systems to people.
One crucial learning that helped me was understanding that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about creating the space for others to thrive. At the FT, I’ve been fortunate to have supportive managers and mentors who led by example. That showed me the value of empathy, trust, and investing in people’s growth. Now, as a manager, I try to carry those same principles forward to support my team not just in delivering great work, but in building sustainable, fulfilling careers.
You also completed a master’s degree in AI while working full time, a huge achievement! What enabled you to balance both successfully?
Yes, I’m also proud that I was able to complete a Master’s degree in AI while working full time. Balancing both wasn’t easy, but I had the support of a team and a company that values learning and flexibility. I didn’t have to choose between advancing my education and progressing in my career. I was able to do both in parallel. That experience really underscored how important the right environment is to achieving your goals.
What advice would you give to someone considering joining FT and growing their career in Product & Tech?
If you’re considering joining the FT, my advice would be: go for it! Especially if you're looking for a place where you can grow both technically and personally.
One of the great things about working here is that there’s room to evolve. Whether you want to go deep into a technical path, explore leadership, or even pivot into new areas like data or AI, there’s support and flexibility to shape your journey. You won’t be boxed into a narrow role, you’ll be encouraged to take ownership, speak up, and try new things.
Also, don’t underestimate the importance of culture. At the FT, you’ll find teams that value collaboration over competition, quality over shortcuts, and learning over perfection. It’s a place where thoughtful engineers and product people work together with respect, transparency, and a sense of purpose.
So if you're someone who’s curious, motivated, and values a strong sense of team, you’ll feel right at home here.
BUILD A NEWSWORTHY CAREER AT THE FT. FIND YOUR NEXT ROLE WITH US.