Tilt (formerly Empower Finance) developed a context-aware review bot using Augment Code's context engine to transform code quality and velocity on its fintech platform. By leveraging Augment's deep codebase understanding of architectural patterns and team conventions, which distinguishes it from generic AI tools, the bot provides more consistent feedback and achieves faster review cycles, reducing cycle time by up to 40%. This solution allows engineers to focus on architectural decisions and complex logic, serving as an augmentation, not replacement, for human reviewers.

Most companies think buying an AI tool is the hard part, but the real challenge is building the scaffolding that makes it useful. At Tilt, adoption only worked once engineers invested in documentation, rules, and workflows that embedded AI into daily practice. This post explores how that infrastructure was built, why it matters, and what other teams can learn from it.

In the era of blazing fast compute and memory it’s easy for the performance characteristics of System objects to feel like a thing of the past. However scale in the end, can defeat all our expectations. With Strings we need to be considerate because they are immutable! This means operations like ToUpper() create a new string in memory. With large datasets this can lead performance issues.

At Empower(Tilt), a data-driven fintech startup, our lifeblood is understanding our users and how they interact with our products. To do that effectively, we need to get new features and product updates into their hands fast. If you've ever worked in a startup, you know the pace is exhilarating, and the need for speed is paramount. For our iOS team, that meant taking a hard look at our release process. We went from a painstaking weekly manual ordeal to a highly automated, almost "set it and forget it" system that allows us to iterate at lightning speed.

A seemingly simple FK constraint drop turned into a high-stakes locking issue that threatened database stability. This post dives into the surprising chain reaction between two related tables and reveals a clever zero-downtime workaround using sp_rename. Perfect for engineers who love creative solutions to tricky schema changes—plus some spicy alternatives if you're feeling bold. 

Empower's engineering team is redefining what it means to use "the best tools" in a world where AI isn’t just a novelty, but a game changer. In his latest post, James Garrett shows how innovative AI tools are transforming on-call support, QA, and code reviews—taking the timeless principles of the Joel Test into the future. Dive in to see how early adoption is turning everyday challenges into competitive advantages. 

Paul Gradie reveals how the notorious N+1 problem in EF Core—where seemingly simple data retrieval turns into a series of inefficient database trips—can be the hidden culprit behind performance woes. He breaks down how lazy loading and loops can lead to unnecessary queries, and shares actionable fixes to streamline your code. Dive in to uncover tips that will help you optimize your data access and keep your app running smoothly! 

Onsites are crucial for remote teams to build strong bonds and a thriving company culture. While remote work offers flexibility and efficiency, in-person gatherings provide unique opportunities to deepen relationships, foster collaboration, and align on shared goals. Empower, a fully remote company, has successfully integrated onsites into their work culture by balancing purposeful work sessions with unstructured downtime and engaging team-building experiences. By thoughtfully planning events that are inclusive and cater to diverse interests, Empower ensures that every onsite is enjoyable and memorable for all team members. Clear communication, adaptability, and empathy are key to creating a positive experience for everyone, and gathering feedback is essential for continuous improvement and future success. 

Disagreements are a natural part of the software development process, whether you're debating architectural decisions, choosing the right tools, or prioritizing features. However, conflict doesn’t have to be a source of tension—handled with the right mindset, it can lead to better outcomes and stronger collaboration. Drawing insights from Think Again by Adam Grant, this blog explores how software developers can embrace a scientific mindset in navigating conflicts. By questioning assumptions, fostering humility, and focusing on solutions rather than personalities, disagreements can transform into opportunities for growth, innovation, and improved teamwork. 

Finding the right engineering job goes beyond matching your technical skillset—it’s about creating a balance between your professional ambitions and personal lifestyle. As James shares from his own experience at Empower, achieving long-term career satisfaction means pinpointing your non-negotiables, asking insightful questions during interviews, and ensuring the culture, team dynamics, and leadership style truly align with your unique values and goals.