I'm a software engineer - what next?

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer, What Next? The podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by James Wilson and Matt Sinclair, we talk honestly about what it takes to build a meaningful career in tech.This week we're joined by Ben Moog, Head of Engineering at InsurX. Ben's path is not the usual one. Computer science at Bristol, then Sandhurst and a stint as a tank commander in the British cavalry, then a decade in finance (central risk trading at Citi, quant portfolio management at a hedge fund), then the standard quant PM ending of burnout and a divorce, and now his sixth greenfield build, this time rebuilding the Insurex platform live while the business is still running on it.In this episode, we cover:- Ben's "if you bend it, you have to mend it" philosophy and why a chaotic childhood is good career preparation- Why a quant trading floor is more stressful than commanding a tank- The Citigroup coffee story and what high-trust teams actually look like- Managers care about outcomes, leaders care about repeatable outcomes- Why Ben lets his team veto his hires before he ever sees a CV- The AI quality cliff in March and April, what's causing it, and what to do about it- "Only ask AI a question you know the answer to" and other rules for surviving agentic coding- Advice for engineers a year or two into their career, and why this is the most exciting time to be building tech since the 80s🗒️ Show Notes"Everyone Lies to Leaders" (2021 article Matt referenced): http://rubick.com/everyone-lies-to-le...🗣️ GuestBen Moog — Head of Engineering, InsurXLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benmoag/🎙 HostsMatt: https://matthewsinclair.comMatt: linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclairJames: / james-wilson-92170656 🌐 More from us:https://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

This week on I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? James and Matt are joined by Richard Bown, DevOps engineer and author of Human Software, a novel that captures the messy, human side of engineering work.We get into:Richard’s winding journey from IC to manager and back again — and why that detour made him a better engineerWhy burnout, bad management, and “culture fit” aren’t bugs — they’re design flawsHow writing a novel helped Richard reflect on decades in tech — and why fiction can be a powerful tool for changeYou might enoy this if:-You're a senior engineer debating the jump to management-You’ve felt stuck in your tech career and wondered: is this it?-You’re curious how AI, team structure, and empathy are reshaping how we build software🎧 Listen now on Spotify | iTunes | YouTube📘 Check out Richard’s book: Human Software

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by James Wilson and Matt Sinclair, we talk honestly about what it takes to build a meaningful career in tech.In this week's episode, we cover:Why most engineers struggle with presenting and how to fix itStew's simple 5-step storytelling framework (hero, dragon, weapon, treasure, future)How to avoid jargon and make people actually listenPractical tips for presenting on Zoom without looking stiff or disconnectedWhy communication is becoming more valuable as AI gets betterA few great stories from Stew's coaching work with engineers and founders

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by recruiter James Wilson and engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today.This week, we sit down with Dan Moore — author of Letters to a New Developer, startup founder, DevRel leader, and all-round tech veteran — to talk about how careers really unfold when things don’t go to plan.In this week’s episode, we cover:Why writing a book can change your career (even if no one reads it)Crashing a national TV website — and what failure really teachesThe IC ceiling: when to pivot, when to manage, and why leverage mattersWhy opinionated engineers stand out (and fence-sitters fade away)How AI shifts the game: product sense > raw codingShow NotesDan’s book: Letters to a New DeveloperDan’s website: danmoore.orgFusionAuth: fusionauth.ioDan on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dmooreds🎙 HostsMatt: /matthewsinclairJames: /james-wilson-92170656🌐 More from ushttps://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

Welcome back to I'm a Software Engineer ~ What Next? — the podcast for devs figuring out their next move. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and software engineer Matt Sinclair, we unpack what it really means to build a career in tech today — from navigating interviews to scaling as an engineering leader.In this week's episode, we dig into the most debated topic on dev Twitter and LinkedIn:Should software engineers have to do coding interviews?James recently shared a post on LinkedIn about the reality of coding rounds in interviews — and, well, let’s just say it triggered some responses. In this episode, we get into what’s changed, why this topic hits so hard, and what better might look like.Link to post: https://short-link.me/1aiiBWe cover:Why live coding isn't the job — and what hiring managers should be testing insteadWhat Matt means when he says: “Some engineers are still living in 2019”Why engineers can’t afford to be picky anymore (and why that sucks)How to evaluate engineers without a whiteboard testThe tradeoffs between tasks, take-homes, pairing, and probationsThe importance of initiative, communication, and knowing what you’re “known for”Whether you’re applying for your next engineering role or hiring your next dev, this one’s got real talk, practical advice, and a few rants.🎙 HostsMatt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclairJames: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656🌐 More from us:https://whatnext.dev/https://quantumfaxmachine.com/

In this episode of What Next? I'm a Software Engineer, James Wilson is joined by Matthew Sinclair to unpack how AI is changing the way engineers work, code, and think. They discuss:Why AI is both a superpower and a trapThe shift from imperative to declarative computingHow tools like Claude can help you rubber-duck a specWhy engineers who refuse to adapt may fall behindWhat hiring managers are really looking for in the age of AIIf you're a developer wondering whether AI is your best friend or worst enemy, this one’s for you.👉 Like, subscribe, and leave a comment if you’ve got thoughts on AI and the future of engineering.📩 Have an idea for a future topic? Reach out to us directly!Related:https://whatnext.devhttps://matthewsinclair.comhttps://quantumfaxmachine.com

I'm a Software Engineer ~ what next? is a podcast for software engineers at a crossroads. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran engineer Matt Sinclair, it explores what it means to grow in your career—whether you're staying on the IC track, moving into leadership, or redefining success entirely.🎙 In this episode, we tackle the title trap.Matt and James dig into:- How culture affects how we view titles (Australia vs UK vs US)- What titles really say (and don't say) about your skills or impact- Why some companies strip titles altogether—and what happens when they do- Whether the only way to get promoted is to become a manager- How to think about IC progression when the ladder isn't clear- How to stand out without relying on your CV or job title.If you've ever wondered whether you're a "Senior Engineer" or just stuck in a system that defines progress by job titles, this episode might be for you. 🎧 16 minutes Show Notes & LinksHosts:Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/Website: https://whatnext.devMore from Matt: -https://matthewsinclair.com-https://quantumfaxmachine.com

In our first short episode Matt and James dive into something every hiring manager and recruiter has faced: Candidates who seem like a great fit — strong CV, good early interviews — but don’t make it through. Or, just as often, the ones that slip through the cracks but might have been the right hire.Drawing on Matt’s years of experience leading engineering teams, we talk through:Why hiring starts with understanding the real problem you’re solvingHow the cost of a “wrong hire” compares to the risk of missing the right personWhat makes hiring for deep tech roles fundamentally different from product-focused startupsWhy values alignment can matter more than technical brillianceWhat engineers should look for when evaluating whether a startup is worth joiningIf you're scaling a team or navigating your next move as an engineer, this episode offers a grounded look at where things go right — and wrong — in the hiring process.🔎 Full episodes & show notes at whatnext.dev

I'm a Software Engineer — what next? S01E04 Swapnali Bhansali - Navigating Career Growth, Leadership, and ChallengesI'm a Software Engineer, What Next?" is a podcast for software engineers at a career crossroads. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran software engineer Matt Sinclair, it offers insights into navigating career transitions from individual contributor roles to management and beyond. Featuring discussions on personal growth and leadership, this podcast guides engineers seeking career direction and development. Join us to explore the paths and possibilities that lie ahead in the tech industry.In this episode, we sit down with Swapnali Bhansali, a seasoned engineering leader and software quality expert, to discuss her journey navigating career transitions, international moves, and the challenges of stepping into leadership roles as a woman in tech. From starting her career as a campus recruit at Yahoo to becoming a senior leader in the UK, Swapnali shares candid insights on overcoming professional setbacks, breaking through biases, and redefining leadership on her own terms. She opens up about the barriers women face in corporate spaces—whether it’s returning to work after maternity leave, being overlooked for senior roles, or simply making their voices heard in male-dominated rooms.We explore:- The hidden cost of poor software quality and how to build a culture of excellence- The reality of international career moves and adapting to new work environments- How to transition from an individual contributor to a leadership role—twice- The challenges women face when re-entering the workforce after career breaks- Practical advice for allies, hiring managers, and leaders on supporting diverse teamsWhether you’re an engineer, a manager, or someone looking for inspiration to navigate your career path, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.Guest:- Swapnali Bhansali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnalibhansali/Hosts:- Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/- James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/Related:- https://whatnext.dev- https://matthewsinclair.com/- https://quantumfaxmachine.com00:00 Swapnali’s Episode Intro05:28 How Experience Has Shaped Swapnali’s View on Hiring13:36 Challenges Returning to Work After Maternity Leave21:46 Advice for Female Engineers Moving into Leadership30:03 How Allies Can Support Women in the Workplace

I'm a Software Engineer — what next? S01E02 Michael Smith (CEO Sagittal) - Frameworks"I'm a Software Engineer, What Next?" is a podcast for software engineers at a career crossroads. Hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran software engineer Matt Sinclair, it offers insights into navigating career transitions from individual contributor roles to management and beyond. Featuring discussions on personal growth and leadership, this podcast guides engineers seeking career direction and development. Join us to explore the paths and possibilities that lie ahead in the tech industry.In this episode, we speak with Michael Smith, CEO of Sagittal.AI, a seasoned expert in software and related digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and, more recently, AI-enhanced software engineering team productivity. In this wide-ranging conversation, we tackle everything from the early days of software engineering to the role of AI in development to the best frameworks for managing the complexity of people, processes, and technologies.Guest:Michael Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myksmith/Links:Sagittal.AI: https://www.sagittal.aiCynefin Framework: https://thecynefin.co/about-us/about-cynefin-frameworkHosts:Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewsinclair/James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wilson-92170656/Related:https://whatnext.devhttps://matthewsinclair.com/https://quantumfaxmachine.com

I'm a Software Engineer - What Next? S01E00 Pilot - James and Matt"I'm a Software Engineer - What Next?" is a podcast for software engineers at a career crossroads. It is hosted by tech recruiter James Wilson and veteran software engineer Matthew Sinclair and offers insights into navigating career transitions from individual contributor roles to management and beyond. This podcast, featuring discussions on personal growth and leadership, is a guide for engineers seeking direction and growth in their careers. Join us to explore the paths and possibilities that lie ahead in the tech industry.Show Notes:James Wilson on LinkedInMatthew Sinclair on LinkedInMatthew Sinclair's Blog(s)"Everyone lies to leaders" -- Jade Rubick"Attitude, Altitude, Agency" -- Matthew Sinclair"The 5Cs" -- Matthew SinclairQuantum Fax Machine (reading lists on selected topics)