If you think your value as a software engineer comes just from writing code, you're already at risk.In this episode, Outsystems CEO Woodson Martin reveals why AI isn't the real threat to your career. Irrelevance is. He explains that writing code is now only 20% of the job, and the engineers who thrive are the ones who master the other "80% that matters."We cover:The billions of lines of ungoverned code AI is creatingWhy the "Forward Deployed Engineer" model is changing team structuresThe 80% of engineering work that AI cannot replaceHow to shift from coder to problem solver who drives business revenueA CEO's advice for building a lasting engineering careerThis is a reality check for developers, tech leads, and architects who want to stay relevant as agentic AI reshapes the industry.Connect with Woodson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodsonmartinTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:56 - How Agentic AI keeps the human in the loop00:01:55 - Real-world example: Automating the grunt work00:04:17 - How engineers are using agents internally00:05:52 - Blending Low-Code and High-Code for complex systems00:08:28 - Is a Low-Code career a trap for engineers?00:10:50 - Will AI make software engineering obsolete?00:12:09 - The 80/20 Rule: Why code is only 20% of your job00:13:14 - Layoffs vs. the rise of the solo entrepreneur00:15:18 - Career advice for a volatile tech market00:17:02 - How to retain top talent and keep them happy00:20:10 - Why we radically changed our engineering team structure00:24:33 - The "Forward Deployed Engineer" model explained00:27:08 - Outsystems vs. OpenAI: The future of platform building00:31:45 - The tech debt problem no one's talking about00:34:23 - The one thing that keeps you from becoming irrelevant#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #AIAgents

What if you could build a multi-million dollar software company where only 10% of your employees are developers? AFAS, a company with hundreds of millions in revenue, does exactly that with a lean team of just 70 engineers. In this episode, Engineering Manager Michiel Overeem pulls back the curtain on their unconventional strategies for achieving massive productivity with a surprisingly small team.In this episode, we cover:Why standardization is their secret weapon for efficiency.How they thrive without traditional Scrum ceremonies.The two distinct types of engineers they hire for success.The surprising details of their 4-day work week (paid for 5).This video is for engineering leaders and software developers who want to learn proven, counter-intuitive strategies to build hyper-effective teams and get more done, regardless of team size.Connect with Michiel:https://www.linkedin.com/in/movereemTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:22 - The "10% Engineering" Paradox at a €100M+ Company00:03:20 - How Standardization Allows a Small Team to Do More00:04:27 - The Two Types of Engineers Every Successful Company Needs00:06:46 - Why Feeling Responsible is More Powerful Than Being Responsible00:09:33 - The Secret Sauce of High-Performing Engineering Teams00:11:52 - A Simple Method to Keep Engineers Connected to Customers00:14:22 - What We Look For When Hiring New Engineers00:17:09 - The #1 Red Flag That Will Get You Rejected in an Interview00:19:33 - Why We Don't Use Scrum (And What We Do Instead)00:22:51 - The Power of Strong, Decisive Leadership00:24:13 - How Our 4-Day Work Week Actually Works00:26:55 - Our Approach to Adopting AI Tools like Copilot00:28:19 - Final Advice: The Best Way to Grow Your Career#EngineeringCulture #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment

System design interviews often focus on theoretical complexity, but how do Senior Engineers at GitHub actually approach scaling? In this episode, Bassem Dghaidi breaks down how to think about system design when real business impact is on the line.We discuss why "simple is complicated enough," the dangers of premature scaling, and why vertical scaling often beats complex distributed systems. If you want to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and understand how to design software that actually serves the business, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:- The "Order of Magnitude" rule for scaling systems- Why GitHub often runs millions of requests on simple architecture- How to communicate technical constraints to non-technical stakeholders- Why 90% of Bassem's code is now written by AI agentsConnect with Bassem Dghaidi:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bassemdghaidyTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:48 - Theory vs. Practice in System Design00:02:06 - The Startup That Almost Failed via Kubernetes00:03:33 - How GitHub Scales (It's Simpler Than You Think)00:05:20 - The Underrated Power of Vertical Scaling00:08:23 - Why Big Tech Interviews for Scale You Don't Need Yet00:10:39 - Software Evolves, It Isn't Just "Built"00:11:53 - Only Design for the Next Order of Magnitude00:15:39 - Stop Building Generic Frameworks00:18:17 - "Hacking" the System Design Interview00:21:29 - Translating Tech Problems to Business Risks00:27:37 - Layoffs & Engineering Efficiency00:29:41 - Proving Your Impact with Numbers00:31:00 - Professional Engineering vs. Hobby Coding00:32:19 - "Simple is Complicated Enough"00:35:03 - The Rise of AI Coding (The Motorcycle Analogy)00:37:30 - "90% of My Code is Written by AI Agents"00:41:04 - How to Become a Great Engineer#SystemDesign #SoftwareEngineering #GitHub

What does it take to build a career as a mobile engineer when AI is changing everything? Pasha Mazurin shares how he went from Java backend engineer to Head of Mobile, why he only joins mobile-first companies, and how AI-assisted development brought the joy back to his work. This isn't theory, it's real lessons from 15+ years in the field and now learning Android at a senior level.In this episode, we cover:AI-assisted mobile development workflow (the four-window tmux setup)Why mobile-first companies operate completely differentlyHiring for strengths, not lack of weaknesses (lessons from Uber)Leading as a hands-on engineer who stays in the trenchesWhy React Native doesn't feel native and when to go fully nativeWhether you're building your mobile engineering career or figuring out how AI changes your workflow, this conversation offers practical perspectives on staying effective and making intentional career choices.Connect with Pasha:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kovpasTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:13 - Using AI as Your Junior Engineer Teammate00:02:33 - The Four-Window Tmux Setup for AI-Assisted Development00:04:29 - Managing Multiple Features with Git Worktrees00:05:52 - Why AI Makes You a Better Code Reviewer00:08:07 - Setting Up Markdown Files for AI Context00:11:54 - Small Teams vs Big Companies: Where Mobile Engineers Thrive00:16:26 - The Mobile-First Company Filter That Shapes Every Career Move00:18:31 - Being Nice: The Underrated Career Skill00:20:29 - Pick Your Battles: When to Disagree and Commit00:22:52 - Hire for Strengths, Not Lack of Weaknesses00:25:16 - Is Software Engineering Still a Good Career Choice?00:28:19 - How I Accidentally Became a Mobile Engineer00:31:41 - Why I Only Work on Apps That Matter to People00:35:08 - Joining Uber During the Big Mobile App Rewrite00:39:12 - Leading Without Rank: Managing as a Hands-On Engineer00:43:01 - How AI Changed Mobile Development in 12 Months00:46:09 - The Communication Skills That Make or Break Engineers00:49:59 - It's Okay to Say You Don't Understand00:51:30 - Working on Payments: Building Critical App Infrastructure00:53:25 - Why React Native Doesn't Feel Native (And What Works Better)00:55:36 - Can You Switch Specializations Without Taking a Pay Cut?00:57:02 - How Learning Android Brought the Joy Back

Worried about staying relevant as AI and new tools keep changing tech? The answer isn't chasing every new framework, it's treating your career like an engineering problem you can solve.In this episode, we cover:Why staying relevant isn't about the tools (and what it's really about)The 3 essential career management tools: Brag Doc, Competency Framework, and MentorsHow to get promoted when you're already doing the workNavigating salary negotiations and knowing when to leaveBuilding a career plan that gives you permission to relaxIf you're an engineer who wants to take control of your career instead of letting it happen to you, this episode gives you the frameworks and tactics to do it.Connect with Özgen Güngör:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozgengungorTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:46 - The Biggest Challenge for Tech Careers Today00:01:33 - How to Stay Relevant in the Age of AI00:03:46 - The Coming Commoditization of Coding00:05:29 - How to Move Up the Value Stream as an Engineer00:07:35 - Your First Tech Job is a Throwaway (And That's OK)00:09:24 - The Power of Breaking Down Your Career Plan00:11:44 - You Work 13% of Your Life: Why Intentionality Matters00:13:56 - I Have Too Many Career Options. What Do I Do?00:15:34 - The "5 Whys" Exercise for Your Career00:19:38 - How to Get Your Manager to Be Your Ally00:22:15 - The Truth About Big Tech's Broken Promotion Process00:24:43 - The #1 Person Who Cares About Your Career00:28:48 - Why You MUST Keep a "Brag Doc"00:34:08 - How to Avoid Falling Behind in Promotions00:37:33 - What is a Competency Framework?00:40:34 - How to Map Out Your Own Career Ladder00:44:35 - The Silent Factor That Kills Engineering Performance00:48:31 - Your Career Transcends Your Company00:52:40 - The 5-Year Plan That Changed My Career00:56:18 - 3 Essential Tools for Total Career Management#TechCareer #SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice

You asked, I answered. In this Q&A episode, I tackle the toughest career questions you submitted: from getting promoted when the process feels political, to negotiating salary, to leading projects as an IC.In this episode, we cover:* Holding peers accountable when you're not their manager* Navigating promotions when the process is political or unclear* Increasing your salary with strategic job offers* Building real authority and getting noticed by leadership* Staying relevant in the age of AI without burning outThis is for software engineers who want practical strategies to level up their careers, increase their earning potential, and make real impact without the fluff.Join me at React Advanced and Tech Lead Conf in London:https://ti.to/gitnation/react-advanced-london-2025/discount/CODING20Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:19 - Holding Peers Accountable When Managers Won't Help00:03:58 - The Surprising Truth About Code "Quality"00:05:43 - Scaling Accountability Across Large Teams00:07:50 - When Climbing the Career Ladder Feels Political00:12:37 - How to Stay Relevant in Tech Without Burning Out00:14:49 - The Key to Learning Without Feeling Overwhelmed00:15:18 - The Real Difference for Engineers Working Globally00:17:44 - What to Do When You Get a Better Job Offer00:20:51 - Finding Motivation Beyond a Higher Salary00:21:41 - How to Build Real Credibility and Authority00:25:31 - The Advice I'd Give My Junior Developer Self00:29:05 - The Art of Effective Delegation00:31:47 - Why Delegation Is Really an Act of Trust00:32:21 - Team Player vs. Individual Star: A False Choice?00:34:43 - The #1 Personal Development Skill for Engineers00:37:11 - The Hidden Dangers of Relying on AI Tools00:40:08 - Is Volunteering at Tech Conferences Worth It?00:42:50 - My Personal Struggle with Embracing Change00:45:32 - The Career "Regret" I Don't Actually Regret00:46:45 - How to Stay Productive While Dealing with Grief00:49:08 - My Process for Finding Great Podcast Guests00:50:48 - The Secret to Making Guests Feel Comfortable00:52:06 - How Podcasting Transformed My Communication Skills00:53:35 - Handling Guarded or Difficult Podcast Guests00:56:11 - Final Thoughts & How to Support the ChannelGot questions for the next Q&A? Drop them in the comments 👇#SoftwareEngineering #CareerGrowth #TechLeadership

What's the real difference between a good software engineer and a truly great one? It’s more than just coding skill. It's a specific mindset, a disciplined approach to technology, and a deep understanding of core principles. This is the roadmap to leveling up your career.In this conversation with Sander Mak, Director of Technology at Picnic, we discuss the methods they use to train world-class engineers. You will learn:The "under the hood" knowledge that truly matters.Why great engineers often choose "boring," proven technology.The critical transition from being a coder to a product-focused engineer.The most common pitfall that holds good developers back.If you're a software developer looking to move beyond "good enough" and achieve greatness in your craft, this is the episode for you.Connect with Sander: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandermakTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:30 - Building Picnic's Tech Academy for New Engineers00:04:37 - The Key Mindset of a Successful Junior Engineer00:08:01 - A Look Inside the Engineering Training Curriculum00:12:19 - The Common Pitfall of Copying Without Understanding00:14:10 - How Deep "Under the Hood" Knowledge Should Go00:17:41 - Why Great Engineers Value "Boring" Technology00:21:44 - Improving Developer Experience and Team Productivity00:30:02 - The Transition from Coder to Product Engineer00:34:18 - Key Advice for Self-Taught Developers00:35:41 - Using AI for Learning vs. for Code Generation#SoftwareEngineering #DeveloperCareer #Coding

What if the standard 6-person software team is now obsolete? AI tooling isn't just a productivity booster; it's fundamentally blurring the lines between product and engineering, enabling smaller, more powerful teams to achieve what once took an entire department.We're joined by Kate Ivanova, a Product Manager with years of experience building AI products at Big Tech companies, to discuss this tectonic shift. She explains why the traditional handoff between disciplines is breaking down and what the new, merged "product-engineer" role looks like.In this episode, we cover:- Why AI enables smaller teams to have a massive impact- The merging roles of Product, Engineering, and Design- What skills make you one of the indispensable "2 engineers"- How to structure and manage a hyper-efficient, AI-native teamThis is a must-watch for founders building lean companies, and for engineers and PMs who want to understand their evolving role in the age of AI.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:57 - Are Agile Processes Obsolete in the Age of AI?00:02:46 - Why Product Managers Are Redefining Team Processes00:04:35 - The Mindset You Need for AI Product Development00:07:54 - How AI Is Forcing Product and Engineering Closer Together00:11:26 - Using AI as Your Personal Feedback Co-Pilot00:15:23 - The Critical Mistake to Avoid When Using AI for Product00:20:45 - The Ideal AI Product Team Composition of the Future00:26:10 - The New Expectations for Software Engineers in the AI Era00:32:05 - A Better Way to Manage Tech Debt and Developer Happiness00:34:46 - What Truly Makes Developers Happy at Work00:37:43 - Co-Creating a Vision That Actually Motivates Your Team00:40:59 - How to Receive Tough Feedback as a Growth Opportunity00:45:37 - The Painful Decision to Kill a Failing Project00:48:44 - The Most Important Skill for the AI Era

What if you could turn a weekend project into a core product feature at a major tech company? We sit down with Behrouz Pooladrak, a software engineer and hackathon legend at Booking.com, to uncover how these intense competitions can fast-track your skills, career, and impact. He shares the mindset and strategies that took his ideas from a one-day build to a real-world product used by millions.In this episode, we cover:How to treat your hackathon project like a mini-startup to guarantee success.The surprising skills you gain from short-term projects that your daily job can't teach you.How companies like Booking.com use hackathons to innovate and train new talent.Why personal projects are the secret weapon for career growth.This episode is for any software engineer looking to distinguish themselves, learn new technologies rapidly, and make a real impact in the tech industry.Timestamps:00:00:49 - The Mindset of a Prolific Builder00:02:42 - How AI Helps You Build an MVP in One Day00:06:26 - Why This Engineer is a Hackathon "Living Legend"00:07:41 - From Hackathon Idea to Real AI Product00:11:42 - The Secret to Winning: Treat it Like a Startup00:17:22 - How Booking.com Onboards Juniors with a 4-Week Hackathon00:20:25 - Why We Still Need Junior Engineers in the Age of AI00:26:57 - The #1 Struggle Teams Face in Hackathons00:31:04 - The Real Reason to Join a Hackathon (It’s Not the Prize)00:35:46 - How to Start and Finish Your Personal Projects00:40:12 - The Feedback Loop Between Your Job and Hobby Projects#SoftwareEngineering #Hackathon #CareerGrowth

What if the biggest obstacles to AI innovation aren't what you think? Deeploy CEO Maarten Stolk shares his controversial but effective strategies for building successful AI products and ecosystems, challenging the common wisdom around bottom-up initiatives and regulation.In this episode, we cover:Why bottom-up initiatives fail without strong top-down vision.The surprising benefits of the EU's AI Act for innovation.How to build a thriving AI ecosystem from the ground up.The single most important metric for AI observability.This conversation is for tech leaders, founders, and engineers who want to move beyond AI experiments and build real-world, production-ready systems.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:45 - Why Maarten Started a Dutch AI Hub00:02:15 - The "Flywheel" Effect Crucial for AI Success00:04:42 - The Hard Truth: Why the Netherlands is Lagging in AI00:07:52 - A Controversial Take: The EU AI Act is Actually Good for Everyone00:11:26 - The Real Bottleneck to Innovation Isn't Regulation00:14:25 - From POC to Production: Why Top-Down Vision is Non-Negotiable00:17:13 - A Wake-Up Call for Inexperienced Leadership Teams00:20:30 - How Winning Companies Use AI to Dominate Their Market00:23:44 - The Right Way to Learn From Your Competitors00:27:30 - Maarten Outsourced Core Development to an AI Company00:31:59 - The #1 Metric You Must Track for AI Observability00:36:03 - Open-Source vs. Closed-Source: Which AI Model Will Win?00:40:23 - The Inevitable Crisis That Will Force Innovation00:42:19 - The Power of Having a Long-Term Personal Vision#AIStrategy #TechLeadership #Innovation