In this conversation on the We Chat Tech Podcast, Matteo De Ponti shares his journey from a software engineer to an engineering manager at Prima, discussing the importance of collaboration, the challenges of managing a tech team, and the evolving landscape of DevOps and platform engineering. He emphasizes the significance of work-life balance, the role of AI in engineering, and the necessity of measuring success through both technical metrics and team satisfaction. Matteo also offers valuable advice for aspiring engineers and reflects on the importance of curiosity and communication in the tech industry.

Takeaways

Matteo's nickname is Depo, and he has a strong background in tech.

He transitioned from a software engineer to a DevOps engineer and then to an engineering manager.

The importance of collaboration in DevOps culture is crucial for success.

Work-life balance is essential for preventing burnout in tech roles.

AI can significantly aid in coding and infrastructure management but should not be solely relied upon.

Measuring success involves both technical metrics and team satisfaction.

Curiosity is key for engineers to adapt and grow in their careers.

Effective communication is vital for team cohesion and success.

Platform engineering is the future of managing complexity in DevOps.

Data-driven decisions can help influence and convince stakeholders.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Matteo De Ponti

05:58 Transitioning to Engineering Management

11:42 Managing Team Wellbeing and Burnout

17:40 Choosing the Right Tools for Development

46:57 Navigating the Transition to Kubernetes

51:42 The Future of DevOps and Platform Engineering

01:12:34 Challenges in Engineering Management

01:19:00 Defining Success in Engineering Teams