Beyond Coding

The software engineering landscape is shifting rapidly. Coding is becoming "cheap" because of tools like Claude Code, Codex, Gemini, Cursor etc. Interviews are evolving to focus on system design over syntax. In this Q&A, I break down exactly which skills matter now, how to negotiate the salary you deserve, and how to deal with difficult personalities on your team.

In this episode:

• How juniors can leverage AI tools to reach senior-level output
• Real-world salary negotiation tactics from my experience
• Why coding skills matter less in modern interviews (and what matters more)
• Handling "brilliant jerks" and toxic team culture

Whether you are looking for your first job with no experience or you are a mid-level dev trying to break into a Staff Engineer role, this session is packed with actionable career advice.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:06 - Handling Brilliant Jerks: Toxic Culture vs. High Performance

00:04:13 - How Juniors Can Use AI to Outperform Seniors

00:07:10 - The Future of Coding Interviews: System Design and AI

00:11:20 - The Real Difference Between Good and Great Developers

00:13:00 - One Mistake Mid-Level Developers Make That Stalls Growth

00:15:58 - Salary Negotiation Tactics: How I Got Two Raises in One Year

00:23:44 - Questions You Should Ask to Crush Your Tech Interview

00:27:42 - What Actually Moves the Needle: Side Projects vs. Experience

00:31:05 - Don't Wait for a Perfect Portfolio to Start Applying

00:32:25 - Finding Jobs: Why LinkedIn and Meetups Beat Job Boards

00:35:16 - Should Frontend Developers Worry About Learning Backend Skills?

00:37:39 - Do Tech Certifications Actually Help You Get Hired?

00:39:07 - Mastering Soft Skills: Training Budgets vs. Real Experience

#softwareengineering #careeradvice #techinterviews

"Architects shouldn't try to be the smartest people in the room, they should make everybody else smarter."

In this episode, Gregor Hohpe (ex-Google & AWS, author of "The Software Architect Elevator") breaks down exactly how to transition from software engineer to architect. He shares the mental models used at Big Tech to handle complexity, visualize systems, and navigate office politics without losing your technical edge.

We cover:

- Why "lowering risk" is the architect's real value proposition

- The "Phantom Sketch Artist" technique to visualize unclear requirements

- How to gain "political capital" to push back on bad decisions

- Why simple architectures are often the hardest to build

If you want to move beyond just writing code and start designing systems that scale, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Gregor:

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

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:15 - How to Spot Bad Architects vs. Great Amplifiers

00:03:44 - Why Architects Are Actually Risk Managers in Disguise

00:06:13 - The Truth About Complexity and Simplicity at Scale

00:09:55 - How to Resolve Technical Disagreements Without Arguments

00:13:57 - Why You Should Use Pen and Paper for Architecture

00:17:24 - Mastering the Left-Right Brain Ping Pong Technique

00:20:42 - The "Architect Elevator": Connecting Code to Strategy

00:23:06 - The Rubber Duck Test: Are You a Good Architect?

00:25:41 - The "Phantom Sketch Artist" Method for System Design

00:30:37 - Stop Being a Cartographer, Start Being a Scout

00:34:47 - How to Keep Your Technical Skills Sharp as an Architect

00:44:37 - Navigating Office Politics using the "Court Jester" Strategy

00:48:08 - How to Earn and Spend Political Capital Wisely

00:53:17 - Why the "Big Ball of Mud" Might Be a Good Architecture

00:57:08 - How Executives Spot Gaps in Your Technical Logic

01:00:00 - Why Using AI for Architecture is a Dangerous Trap

#SoftwareArchitecture #SystemDesign #SeniorDeveloper

Are you waiting for a promotion that never comes? In this episode, we break down why relying on your manager to define your growth is a career-limiting mistake and how you can take full ownership of your professional path.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why hard skills get you hired but won't get you ahead
• How to create growth opportunities when your company has no clear path
• Using RACI to own decisions and increase your visibility

Connect with Zanina:

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

References:

RACI - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:51 - Why hard skills get you hired but soft skills make you thrive

00:04:17 - How to connect your code to actual business results

00:06:44 - The art of storytelling for technical professionals

00:09:16 - Balancing execution speed with team collaboration

00:11:57 - The problem with forcing engineers into management roles

00:15:13 - Surviving when technology outgrows your current skillset

00:17:59 - Using the RACI method to clarify ownership and decisions

00:21:23 - What to do when your manager has no answers for your growth

00:24:40 - Why you should value scope of work over job titles

00:28:39 - How to pitch and negotiate impactful projects to leadership

00:33:00 - Expanding your perspective by networking outside your team

00:35:35 - Visualizing your ambition and defining what success looks like

00:39:16 - Overcoming the fear of asking for constructive feedback

#careergrowth #softwareengineering #softskills

Software engineers often think adding AI is just a simple API call, but moving from a Proof of Concept to a stable production system requires a completely different mindset.

Maria Vechtomova breaks down the harsh reality of MLOps, why rigorous evaluation is non-negotiable, and why autonomous agents are riskier than you think.

In this episode, we cover:

• The essential MLOps principles every software engineer must learn
• How to bridge the gap between a demo and a production-grade solution
• Strategies for evaluating agents and detecting model drift
• The security risks of customer service agents and prompt injection
• Practical tips for using AI tools to boost your own productivity
• 
  

Connect with Maria:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vechtomova

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:25 - Why the AI Hype Was Actually Good for Monitoring

00:03:07 - Real-World AI Use Cases That Deliver Actual Value

00:05:16 - MLOps Basics Every Software Engineer Needs to Know

00:08:08 - The Hidden Complexity of Deploying Agents to Production

00:12:02 - Minimum Requirements for Moving from PoC to Production

00:15:41 - Step-by-Step Guide to Evaluating AI Features Before Launch

00:18:08 - How to Handle Data Labeling and Drift Detection

00:21:55 - Why You Likely Need Custom Tools for Monitoring

00:24:56 - Why Engineers Build AI Features They Don't Need

00:26:01 - How Software Engineers Can Learn Data Science Principles

00:31:36 - The Dangerous Security Risks of Autonomous Customer Service Agents

00:34:44 - Why Human-in-the-Loop is Essential for Avoiding Reputational Damage

00:36:18 - Boosting Developer Productivity with Opinionated AI Prompts

00:39:20 - Using Voice Notes and AI to Organize Your Life

#MLOps #SoftwareEngineering #ArtificialIntelligence

Are your technical skills actually holding your career back? In this conversation with Anand Sahay, Global CEO of Xebia, we explore the controversial reality that "mediocre" engineers often climb the corporate ladder faster than technical wizards. And what you need to do to change that trajectory.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why simplicity and business value beat complex code every time
• The specific mindset shift required to move from Senior Engineer to Executive
• How to maintain technical intuition and manage risk without micromanaging
• The hidden arrogance that stops great engineers from becoming great leaders

This discussion is essential for software engineers, architects, and technical managers who want to break through the "tech ceiling" and understand how decisions are really made at the top.

Connect with Anand:

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

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:28 - How to Pitch to Executives (And Not Get Rejected)

00:03:42 - The #1 Trait of Elite Engineering Leaders

00:06:15 - Why AI Answers Destroy Your Credibility

00:10:11 - Why Mediocre Engineers Get Promoted Over Great Ones

00:14:15 - The Truth About the "Individual Contributor" Track

00:16:16 - The Arrogance Trap: Why Devs Fail at Business

00:22:08 - Stop Being a "One Man Army" (Unless You Do This)

00:25:32 - From Developer to CEO: The Uncommon Path

00:29:07 - Why Most Engineering Teams Are Structured Wrong

00:32:17 - How to Spot a Toxic Tech Culture

00:34:44 - Will AI Replace Senior Engineers?

00:38:40 - Maintaining Technical Intuition Without Coding Daily

00:41:53 - When to Approve "Bad" Ideas for Team Morale

00:48:41 - The "Hard Part First" Rule for Innovation

#SoftwareEngineering #TechLeadership #CareerGrowth

Tools change and frameworks die, but your career doesn't have to. Marijn Markus joins the show to explain why "Don't be a fool with a tool" is the single most important piece of advice for modern software engineers and data professionals.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "Meta-Skill" of learning how to learn new technologies
• Why real innovation often originates in "dark" industries like crime and warfare
• How to future-proof your career against AI agents and automation
• Why understanding the business problem is more valuable than writing the code

This conversation is essential for engineers who want to move from memorizing syntax to mastering the skills that actually last.

Connect with Marijn Markus:

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

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:01 - Realizing That Data Science Can Actually Save Lives
00:04:36 - Predicting Refugee Movements With Hamburger Prices
00:07:05 - Why You Should Try Different Roles Early in Your Career
00:12:37 - Learning in Banking to Eventually Help Non-Profits
00:15:38 - Why Certifications Are Compensation for Lack of Experience
00:18:36 - The Single Most Important Skill in the Tech Field
00:21:39 - "If They Understood the Problem, They Wouldn't Hire You"
00:25:48 - Why Innovation Comes From War, Crime, and Adult Industries
00:31:16 - The Danger of AI Agents and Automated Social Engineering
00:35:03 - Focus on Skills That Do Not Have Expiration Dates
00:39:47 - How to Navigate Truth in the Era of Deepfakes
00:41:30 - Don't Be a Fool With a Tool (The Selenium Trap)
00:45:25 - Rising Above the Tools to Become an Expert

#SoftwareEngineering #CareerAdvice #Technology

Are you just executing tickets, or are you driving business impact?

In this episode, Praveen Murugesan (VP of Engineering at Samsara) breaks down why the best engineers don't just write code and why "coding skills" alone won't get you there.

He explains the critical shift from "software engineer" to "product engineer," why you shouldn't wait for permission to solve problems, and how to de-risk high-stakes projects like a true owner.

In this episode, we cover:

The difference between a "Ticket Taker" and a Product Engineer

Why Product Managers should NOT be doing project management

How to grow to Staff Engineer without managing a large team

The exact interview questions to ask to test a company’s culture

A real story of an engineer telling a VP: "That's not an important problem"

Connect with Praveen Murugesan:

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

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:55 - Product Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What’s the Difference?

00:06:20 - Why Product Managers Should Not Do Project Management

00:11:06 - The Danger of "Flying Blind" Without Business Context

00:15:24 - Why Curiosity Is the Ultimate Leverage in the AI Era

00:25:06 - Why the Best Ideas Must Win Regardless of Hierarchy

00:27:43 - The #1 Interview Question to Test for Engineering Ownership

00:32:12 - How to Test a Company’s Culture Before You Join

00:36:04 - Why You Don't Need to Be Senior to Be a Product Engineer

00:40:46 - Managing High-Stakes Projects and De-risking Failure

00:43:56 - What I Learned From Breaking Production at Salesforce

00:48:29 - The Myth About Staff Engineering and Managing Teams

00:51:59 - The Engineer Who Told the VP: "That's Not an Important Problem"

#SoftwareEngineering #StaffEngineer #CareerGrowth

Traditional software engineering job listings have dropped by 70%, yet Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) roles have exploded by over 800% this year. We sit down with Mo Fagir, Principal Technical Consultant at ServiceNow, to break down exactly why this shift is happening and how you can pivot your career to ride this AI adoption wave.

In this episode, we cover:

• The massive market shift: Why "pure coding" jobs are declining while FDEs are booming.
• The exact technical stack and soft skills required to land these high-paying roles.
• How to overcome imposter syndrome and build a portfolio that gets you hired, even as a junior.
• Why this isn't just a trend, but the future of how engineering delivers value.

Connect with Mo Fagir:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mo-nour-tarig

Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:14 - Why software jobs dropped 70% while FDEs grew over 800%
00:02:55 - Why companies can't implement AI without Forward Deployed Engineers
00:05:36 - Is this career path safe for traditional software engineers?
00:07:54 - The exact technical stack you need to master today
00:10:48 - Moving from engineering scope to product centric thinking
00:16:15 - Can juniors and early career devs get hired as FDEs?
00:19:12 - How to build a portfolio that gets you hired
00:22:17 - Why passion and attitude beat experience in the AI era
00:24:33 - How to train yourself to have a sense of urgency
00:29:05 - Can introverts succeed in client facing engineering roles?
00:32:17 - Lessons learned from interning at NASA and researching AI
00:35:09 - Are we in an AI bubble that will burst soon?
00:40:34 - Does becoming an FDE risk vendor lock-in for your career?
00:43:36 - Final advice for engineers entering the 2025 job market

#ForwardDeployedEngineer #FDE #SoftwareCareers

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 creating
• Why the "Forward Deployed Engineer" model is changing team structures
• The 80% of engineering work that AI cannot replace
• How to shift from coder to problem solver who drives business revenue
• A CEO's advice for building a lasting engineering career

This 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/woodsonmartin

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:56 - How Agentic AI keeps the human in the loop

00:01:55 - Real-world example: Automating the grunt work

00:04:17 - How engineers are using agents internally

00:05:52 - Blending Low-Code and High-Code for complex systems

00:08:28 - 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 job

00:13:14 - Layoffs vs. the rise of the solo entrepreneur

00:15:18 - Career advice for a volatile tech market

00:17:02 - How to retain top talent and keep them happy

00:20:10 - Why we radically changed our engineering team structure

00:24:33 - The "Forward Deployed Engineer" model explained

00:27:08 - Outsystems vs. OpenAI: The future of platform building

00:31:45 - The tech debt problem no one's talking about

00:34:23 - 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/movereem

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:22 - The "10% Engineering" Paradox at a €100M+ Company

00:03:20 - How Standardization Allows a Small Team to Do More

00:04:27 - The Two Types of Engineers Every Successful Company Needs

00:06:46 - Why Feeling Responsible is More Powerful Than Being Responsible

00:09:33 - The Secret Sauce of High-Performing Engineering Teams

00:11:52 - A Simple Method to Keep Engineers Connected to Customers

00:14:22 - What We Look For When Hiring New Engineers

00:17:09 - The #1 Red Flag That Will Get You Rejected in an Interview

00:19:33 - Why We Don't Use Scrum (And What We Do Instead)

00:22:51 - The Power of Strong, Decisive Leadership

00:24:13 - How Our 4-Day Work Week Actually Works

00:26:55 - Our Approach to Adopting AI Tools like Copilot

00:28:19 - Final Advice: The Best Way to Grow Your Career

#EngineeringCulture #Productivity #SoftwareDevelopment