In this episode of the TTP Podcast, Craig Whiting sits down with Nirav Shah, engineering leader at JP Morgan Asset Management, for a deep dive into how AI is fundamentally changing the life of a developer, and what the next generation of engineering talent needs to thrive.

Nirav shares his journey from hands-on coder to global team leader, and explains why staying close to the code still matters in a leadership role. They explore the rise of T-shaped engineers, the evolving expectations around communication, and the critical mindset shift required to succeed in an AI-augmented tech world.

Whether you're a senior engineer, hiring manager, or tech leader navigating change. This episode is full of sharp insights on staying relevant, building hybrid skillsets, and leading with both strategic and technical depth.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 Why AI is the most foundational shift in 20+ years of software engineering
🔹 What “batteries-included” developers really look like in an AI-native future
🔹 The T-shaped skillset: balancing deep technical roots with broad leadership scope
🔹 How to stay hands-on as you scale up in leadership
🔹 Communication as a key differentiator: with colleagues and with AI
🔹 Why org structures must evolve if they want tech leaders to thrive
🔹 Coding as creativity and why output still matters at every level

📄 Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction & Nirav’s Background
Career journey from developer to global engineering leader
The art of translating business needs into code

[06:00] – Staying Technical While Leading
Why Nirav still codes every week — and how to make time for it
The importance of staying close to the product

[10:00] – AI as a Paradigm Shift
Why co-pilot and agentic tools are changing how engineers work
Delegation, oversight, and new ways of thinking

[16:00] – The T-Shaped Engineer Model
Why you need both breadth and depth to scale in tech
How technical leaders lose their edge—and how to get it back

[22:00] – Adaptability, Learning & Talent Strategy
What Nirav looks for when hiring engineers in an AI-native world
The traits that matter more than specific languages or tools

[29:00] – Engineering Growth Inside Large Orgs
Why “coding leadership” still matters at enterprise scale
The problem with paper titles and fake technical progression

[36:00] – Changing the Culture of Tech Leadership
Creating space for creativity and code
Why business still misunderstands tech—and how leaders can fix it

[40:00] – Career Advice & LinkedIn Strategy
Craig shares 5 tactical tips for building a recruiter-proof LinkedIn
Why outcomes, clarity, and recruiter-friendly language matter

[46:00] – Final Thoughts
The role of curiosity, communication, and partnership in thriving as an engineer today