A Life Engineered

Anish Acharya, investor and former Amazon builder-operator who sold a startup to Google. He explores why enterprise software may be overvalued. He explains how AI coding agents will unlock a new generation of builders. He outlines the founder mindset that helps you stand out and why product-quality and new software formats matter.

Tuomas Artman, CTO and co-founder of Linear and former Uber engineer, on building product-first infrastructure and developer tools. He recounts leaving university, the nine-year career regret that pushed him to Silicon Valley, and the tradeoffs between management and individual contribution. He explains Linear’s zero-bug, quality-first strategy and how AI agents will reshape product orchestration.

Philip Su, former Meta engineer and AI-focused writer, explains why traditional coding roles are collapsing. He outlines the shift to agent-driven workflows, debates which managerial roles will survive, and warns how automation rewrites career bets. Short, urgent takes on trust, regulation, and how to prepare for a world where agents do the heavy lifting.

Stefan Mai, former senior manager at Meta and Amazon and founder of Hello Interview, helps engineers master modern hiring. He discusses how AI changes application and interview workflows, new IDE-style coding rounds, and assessing candidates beyond outputs. He also covers standing out amid AI-driven resume noise and how engineers must blend technical skill with business judgment.

Christopher Brown, a founding engineer of Amazon EC2 and a seasoned leader in tech, shares insightful reflections on Amazon's cultural shifts and the emergence of AI in engineering. He discusses the impact of slower decision-making on product opportunities and the critical balance between management and individual contributor roles. Brown warns about the need for accountability in software and the scars that teach resilience. He also highlights the potential of AI tools while cautioning against their overreliance, ultimately advocating for deliberate career choices.

Christophe Bisciglia, an entrepreneur and former Google engineer who co-founded Cloudera, shares his remarkable journey from big tech to sustainable hospitality in Hawaii. He discusses leaving Google before its IPO despite a potential $72 million fortune, founding Cloudera, and lessons learned about fundraising and product focus. Now running the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls, he highlights unique experiences like waterfall rappelling. Bisciglia also addresses the evolving role of AI in tech and its impact on the workforce.

In this engaging discussion, Maddy Zhang—former Google software engineer and content creator—shares her journey of leaving Google and thriving in a competitive job market. Maddy delves into the bureaucracy at tech giants, valiant tales of interview resilience, and the importance of reframing rejection. She also offers strategic advice on interview preparation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and balancing job searches with full-time work. Plus, she shares her passion for biology and unique insights on the future of AI.

Michael Novati, a Principal Engineer at Meta and founder of Formation, shares his inspiring journey from intern to E7 in just six years. He discusses the concept of the 'coding machine' and its limitations, highlighting the challenge of advancing in large organizations. Michael also dives into the transformative impact of AI on engineering productivity and education, advocating for apprenticeships as a remedy for traditional CS education. He offers practical advice for bootcamp graduates on finding their path in tech.

Carlos Arguelles, a senior principal engineer with a rich background at tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, shares insights from his dynamic career. He outlines how being laid off pushed him to reinvent himself and emphasizes the importance of patience and adaptability after setbacks. Carlos discusses the challenges of scaling infrastructure at Amazon, the lessons learned from significant outages, and contrasts corporate cultures. He stresses the value of influencing others over just technical skills and the necessity of continual learning in tech.

In this conversation, Philip Su, a Senior Software Engineer and entrepreneur with a history at Meta and Microsoft, discusses the troubling implications of AI on engineering jobs. He candidly warns that many developers may struggle to compete with AI in the coming decade. While he foresees companies opting for efficiency, he also emphasizes the ongoing value of top engineers and the importance of mastering AI tools. Additionally, he touches on the necessity for fair automation rules, the future of human-AI collaboration, and his motivations behind creating the Superphonic podcast player.