Driving innovation and excellence in Fulfillment Technology at Coupang’s India Dev Center

Tuesday, March 18, 2025 minute read

At Coupang, innovation is the driving force behind every decision we make. As we continue to build the future of commerce globally, our engineers play a pivotal role in shaping seamless, efficient, and customer-centric solutions. We sat down with Rahul, a Senior Staff Engineer in Global Operations Technology, to discuss his journey, the impact of his work, and why Coupang is an exciting place for engineers to thrive.  

Rahul, can you tell us about your role at Coupang and your contributions to Coupang’s India Dev Center?  

Hi, I am Rahul. I am a Senior Staff Engineer in the Global Operations Technology organization at Coupang India Dev Center. Within this organization, I closely collaborate with the Fulfillment Technology Data (FTD) team and the Fulfillment Execution (FEX) team. Our role is pivotal in ensuring seamless order movement, determining the right Fulfillment Center (FC) for orders, and optimizing logistics.   

The FTD team plays a crucial role in delivering near real-time data to FC operations and other systems, generating actionable insights to support Coupang’s mission of serving customers effectively. Our systems are integral to fulfillment centers and last-mile operations, making data-driven decisions that enhance timely and cost-effective order fulfillment.   

The FEX team, on the other hand, serves as a bridge between order management systems and logistics, orchestrating order fulfillment across FCs, camps, and hubs. Additionally, we integrate strategically with Fulfillment Optimization systems to minimize costs and maximize operational efficiency and profitability.

What was your professional journey before joining Coupang, and how has it prepared you for this role?    

Before joining Coupang, I spent a significant amount of time at one of India’s largest e-commerce companies. My experience there allowed me to contribute across multiple domains, including supply chain systems, advertising platforms, demand planning, and more. Working on scalable, distributed systems prepared me for the challenges and opportunities at Coupang. The experience of building large-scale, high-performance systems taught me the importance of scalability and efficiency — key factors in fulfillment. These lessons have been instrumental in my role at Coupang, where we are continuously working to optimize order fulfillment and enhance customer experience.  

What attracted you to the Senior Staff Engineer role at Coupang’s India Dev Center?   

Several factors drew me to Coupang India Dev Center. First, the company’s unique blend of innovation, culture, and impact stood out. Coupang is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve the customer experience exponentially better, and that vision resonated with me. As a Senior Staff Engineer, I was excited about leading complex technical projects and mentoring junior engineers.   

Additionally, Coupang fosters a culture of innovation and ownership, which aligns with my professional growth aspirations. Lastly, knowing that my work directly influences customer experience is highly motivating and aligns perfectly with my career goals.   

In your opinion, what sets Coupang India Dev Center apart in terms of engineering excellence?   

What makes Coupang unique is its strong commitment to innovation and a customer-centric approach. Engineers here have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and solve complex problems that impact millions of customers. This creates a challenging yet fulfilling work environment, knowing that our work is making a difference.   

Additionally, Coupang promotes a culture of continuous learning and growth. Engineers are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and learn from failures — which I believe is crucial for engineering excellence.   

Moreover, the opportunity to work with a diverse team of highly skilled engineers and leaders who are experts in their respective fields provides an environment of rich knowledge-sharing and collaboration.   

How do you see your role as a Senior Staff Engineer?   

As a Senior Staff Engineer, my responsibilities extend beyond coding as an Individual Contributor. I see myself as a technical leader responsible for shaping the technical vision and strategy for the team. My role involves designing and implementing robust, scalable, and efficient systems that align with business objectives. I also collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including product managers, data scientists, and fellow engineers, to ensure we build the right products in the way to exceed customer expectations. Additionally, mentoring junior engineers and helping them grow in their careers is something I take pride in.  

How do you drive innovation within Global Operations Technology at Coupang?  

Innovation starts with fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. I encourage my team to stay updated with the latest technological trends and not to shy away from experimenting with new ideas. Coupang provides a great environment where engineers are empowered to test their ideas and push the boundaries of what’s possible. I also believe in the power of collaboration and diversity of thought. By facilitating open discussions and brainstorming sessions, we can come up with creative solutions to complex problems.   

My journey at Coupang has been incredibly rewarding. Collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the industry has been an enriching experience. I look forward to continuing to drive innovation and excellence in fulfillment technology at Coupang.   

At Coupang, engineering leaders like Rahul are at the forefront of building the future of commerce globally through technology. If you are an engineer looking to make a real impact on customers and be part of a culture that values innovation and ownership, Coupang is the place for you. Join us and be part of the future of commerce.   