Abnormal Voices: Meet Yang Ang, Engineering Manager
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, Adventurous, Builder.
Tell us about your role at Abnormal.
I’ve built and now lead three engineering teams at Abnormal, where we design and deliver innovative security and productivity products. I work closely with engineers across the world to transform ideas into reliable, scalable systems. My focus is on creating high-impact products that tackle real-world challenges and deliver meaningful value to our customers.
How has your career evolved at Abnormal?
It has been an incredible journey, starting in 2021 as one of the first two engineers in Singapore. Over the years, I've built and launched several high-impact products, including the Integrations Platform, Security Posture Management, and Email Productivity. In late 2023, I advanced to Engineering Manager, taking on the challenge of leading and growing teams across Singapore and India. Looking ahead, I want to continue expanding our APAC presence, mentoring engineers to reach their full potential, and leading the development of innovative solutions that address real-world security challenges.
How does Abnormal support your professional development?
Abnormal provides me with autonomy and opportunities to lead diverse product teams, tackle complex technical challenges, and collaborate with engineers worldwide. A key learning experience for me was being entrusted with the responsibility for the URL Rewriting product. I had the flexibility to set the technical direction alongside a partner Tech Lead and the opportunity to hire and build a team. Within two quarters, we successfully built the team, and we’re now on track to launch the product within three quarters.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day starts with responding to cross-team requests and attending meetings with the US timezone. While I’ve moved away from coding, I still provide technical input, design suggestions, and code reviews. The middle of my day is dedicated to planning, mentoring, and one-on-ones with my team members. In the early afternoon, I shift to meetings with the India timezone to address leadership and engineering-related discussions. If needed, I also join optional meetings with the UK timezone. I frequently use AI tools like GPT to synthesize information and frame documentation efficiently.
How does your team approach code reviews and knowledge sharing?
Code reviews are both a quality checkpoint and a learning opportunity. I use them as a way to encourage senior engineers to mentor junior ones. As the original engineer for some of our products, I provide historical context while also empowering newer engineers to take ownership and challenge existing approaches. To balance technical growth with productivity, I assign projects that align with team members’ career goals and identify areas where they can improve while ensuring overall team delivery remains strong.
What project are you most proud of?
Email Productivity is my proudest achievement. I started working on it when it was just a small feature in the MVP stage. Over time, I took ownership of the entire service, rewrote it for production-level scale, expanded its feature set, and built a team around it. It has been deeply rewarding to see this product grow alongside my own journey at Abnormal.
How has working with AI changed your approach to engineering?
AI has helped me digest large amounts of information quickly, enabling me to learn faster and make better decisions. It has contributed significantly to my efficiency. I’ve learned to structure my thinking at a high level first before diving into details, making my implementation process more strategic and structured.
What excites you most about the future of AI in your role?
AI enables me to focus more on high-level decision-making while filling in the gaps in communication and documentation. I see it as a tool that amplifies my ability to lead, strategize, and innovate.
How do you and your team approach problem-solving?
A typical technical discussion is collaborative and structured around problem-solving. We define the problem clearly, break it down into smaller components, and evaluate different approaches, trade-offs, and risks. I encourage open dialogue, ensuring that everyone has a voice and that we use data and past learnings to guide decisions. Once we align on a solution, we commit to execution with clear ownership and timelines.
What’s your favorite part about working at Abnormal?
I love the remote-first culture. It gives me flexibility in how I structure my day and allows me to collaborate with talented engineers worldwide. The company also values innovation, which empowers us to push boundaries and iterate quickly.
What motivates you to come to work each day?
Mentorship is a huge part of why I enjoy my role. Helping my teams grow while building impactful security products keeps me excited about the work we do. The sense of ownership and autonomy at Abnormal motivates me to take on new challenges and continue evolving both as a technical leader and a manager.
What’s been your best day at Abnormal so far?
Representing Abnormal at Gophercon 2022 in Chicago was a highlight of my career. I presented my work with Email Productivity, a product I had helped rewrite and stabilize. Initially, I was just attending the conference, but the opportunity to present came up last minute. I put together a presentation the day before, practiced once, and presented—despite being jetlagged! It was nerve-wracking but rewarding, especially when colleagues and attendees told me they enjoyed my talk.
How do you stay connected in a remote environment?
Connection is about open and transparent communication. Beyond regular syncs and team meetings, I host team events and weekly connect sessions where we talk about things outside of work. Learning more about each other’s interests and personalities strengthens our team bond.
What’s something surprising about you?
I have a lot of interesting background stories! I’m an avid snowboarder, I’ve worked as a falconer handling birds of prey, and I’ve even commanded a ship before.
_____
Abnormal engineers grow into leaders while working on meaningful products. If you’re looking for a place to develop your skills with cutting-edge AI, work with world-class talent, and make an impact check out our open roles today.
