How AI Is Changing Software Engineering Management: Jess Madhavan

Welcome to the Everyday Agile Podcast.

Jess Madhavan is this week's guest.

Jess is an Engineering Leader operating multiple small, fast-moving teams building 0–1 products and experimental platforms. She has a background in scaling teams, running cross-functional squads and driving AI-enabled ways of working in high-paced environments. Big on pace, clarity, ownership and creating spaces where people feel bold enough to build properly, not just safely.

Jess is a strong advocate for Women in Tech, modern leadership and building things that are useful, not just impressive.

▶︎Jess's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessmadhavan/

▶︎Our New Newsletter

https://substack.com/@betweenthestandups

▶︎Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 Jess's Professional Background

01:44 The Role of AI in Engineering Leadership

04:20 The Importance of Social Media and Networking

07:14 Transition from Engineer to Engineering Manager

09:17 Differences Between Delivery and Engineering Managers

10:58 Impact of AI on Engineering Teams

20:05 Addressing Concerns About AI in the Workplace

22:24 Advice for Tech Leaders on Adopting AI

22:56 Understanding Team Bottlenecks

24:11 Introducing AI Workflows

25:46 Balancing AI Usage

27:02 Future of High-Performing Teams

29:18 Openness and Communication in Tech

31:18 Women in Tech: An Ongoing Conversation

38:47 Inspiration and Motivation

40:17 Looking Ahead to 2026

40:48 Connecting and Sharing Ideas

42:02 Conclusion and Contact Information

The Everyday Agile Podcast brings you interviews with Agile, Product, business, and tech folk that will leave you with actionable, relevant advice.

▶︎ About Everyday Agile

We might be little, but we’ve got great, big ideas – and lots of them. Transformative ideas that can make a massive difference to your business, your team and how things run. Revolutionary ideas that give our clients the tools they need to nail the basics, create problem-solving products and smash strategy out of the park. Metamorphic ideas that – okay, you get the point.