Alexandra Harley is a Software Development Engineer I working to ensure a great Audible experience on Apple devices. Collaborating with various teams, she identifies and addresses any points of friction for the user. If you’ve engaged with the author profile or series detail pages, you may have noticed some of the features and improvements Alexandra’s contributed to.

What’s life like at the hub you are aligned to?

I work out of our Innovation Cathedral in Newark, just across from Harriett Tubman Square. Audible has hosted several summer markets here, featuring local vendors from Newark and surrounding neighborhoods. The markets have been a great way to connect with the community. The space has also facilitated various employee programs, including collaborations with locally owned businesses and workshops focused on well-being. Activities like these have helped me foster a strong sense of connection with both my colleagues and other Newark residents.

What is your favorite/current listen?

I just wrapped up Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett, and it was quite the adventure! I enjoyed immersing myself in a world where scholarship and magic intertwine. Following Emily as she navigates her way through unexpected challenges was both thrilling and thought-provoking. She faces captivating dilemmas, and her clever, resourceful approach to problem-solving is truly inspiring.

Can you share an an example of a time when you received customer feedback that was meaningful to you?

When I tell friends and family about my role at Audible, many of them are excited about it. What stands out most are the people who haven’t yet explored audiobooks. As an avid reader myself, I love sharing my experience discovering audiobooks. It’s rewarding to encourage others to incorporate audiobooks into their daily routines, and I’m always thrilled to introduce them to the vast catalog of stories waiting to be enjoyed.

Can you share a bit about your career journey at Audible?

I began my career at Audible as a Software Engineer Apprentice, working with the iOS team to build my technical skills. During my apprenticeship, I collaborated closely with my scrum team, learning Swift and addressing bugs in the app. As my skills grew, I contributed to delivering my first features and saw my initial projects go live in production. After my apprenticeship, I transitioned into a full-time role as a Software Development Engineer I, where I take on larger feature developments and continue expanding my expertise across various areas of the app.

How do you leverage our People Principles in your day-to-day work?

By focusing on customer obsession during feature development while also fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment for the iOS team. I facilitate our weekly learning meetings, where team members and colleagues from other departments at Audible can share insights and expertise. Additionally, I’ve helped organize two annual in-person gatherings for our team, with opportunities to learn, volunteer and connect over several days.

Other than the people, what do you love most about the culture here?

The strong focus on well-being and personal growth. The company offers numerous opportunities to develop both professionally and personally, such as nutrition classes, meditation sessions, and mental well-being workshops. And the internal learning portal provides resources for employees to expand their knowledge and skills in a variety of areas. I truly appreciate Audible’s commitment to continuous growth—it’s allowed me to develop not only my technical skills but also my personal and professional abilities.

What are the benefits you find invaluable for your personal well-being, or that help make both your work life and personal life more fulfilling?

The health benefits have allowed me to build a strong healthcare support team, helping me manage my well-being with confidence. Audible’s learning sessions have also expanded my knowledge in areas like nutrition and boosting my skills and confidence in the kitchen. Also, since I was moving to a new city, the flexibility of hybrid work enabled me to ensure a smooth transition for my dog and also have access to the office and interactions with colleagues.

Can you share about your employee experience and the transition to your new role?

Since joining Audible, I’ve always had the resources and support I needed to address any challenges. I maintained a strong connection with my recruiter—virtually at first, and later, in person, when Audible sponsored my first trip to the headquarters. My team has been incredibly supportive, offering numerous opportunities for growth and allowing me to explore areas of interest within the app. Audible also provided assistance with my move to Newark so I could focus on contributing to my team and role in person. It’s been an incredible journey.

 What made you choose to work at Audible, what made you want to stay?

I was drawn to Audible because of its deep connection to my background as a cultural anthropologist and adult ESL instructor. Storytelling through the spoken word has long been a means of preserving and sharing cultures, and it’s exciting to be part of a company that continues to build on this tradition. I contribute to a customer-facing product that enables users to explore the world through spoken word, which can enhance language skills and provide exposure to diverse cultures through their stories, authors and narrators. Between the company’s culture and the impact we have on users, I’m honored to work at Audible and continue to contribute to the growth and improvement of our app.

Lightning Round!

Favorite genre? Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

Listening from a speaker or headphones? Headphones.

Favorite activity while listening? Walking my dog.

Morning person or night owl? Morning, of course!

Favorite snack? Pretzels.

What was your first Audible listen? What inspired you to check it out?

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. I read the print version and found myself fully immersed in the world of Zélie and her companions, so I was curious to experience the story in audio. It brought the adventure to life in a whole new way! After finishing the first book, I immediately moved on to the second and added the third to my growing listening list. It’s a great series that I highly recommend.