I'm a Software Engineer — what next? S01E04 Swapnali Bhansali - Navigating Career Growth, Leadership, and Challenges

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 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 teams

Whether 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.com

00:00 Swapnali’s Episode Intro

05:28 How Experience Has Shaped Swapnali’s View on Hiring

13:36 Challenges Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

21:46 Advice for Female Engineers Moving into Leadership

30:03 How Allies Can Support Women in the Workplace

I'm a Software Engineer — what next? S01E03 Danielle Ullner - VC and PE

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 Danielle Ullner, a veteran venture builder with extensive experience in the US VC space as an operator and executor and, more recently, with BCG Digital Ventures and BCG X in London and North America. She helps us, as engineers, understand how to work with one of the most critical segments of the digital venture building workforce: VCs.

Guest:

Danielle Ullner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-blumberg-ullner/

Links:

Desirability, Viability, and Feasibility: https://www.uxdesigninstitute.com/blog/desirability-viability-and-feasibility/

Manager README: https://managerreadme.com/

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.com

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.ai- Cynefin 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.dev- https://matthewsinclair.com/- https://quantumfaxmachine.com

S01E01 I’m a Software Engineer — what next? Carlton Lane - Boundary Conditions

"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 Carlton Lane, a storied software engineer and leader who has traversed the boundary conditions of engineering, management, and leadership multiple times.

He has a great story about working in different cultures in Australia, North America, China, and the UK. He has been lucky enough to go forward into management and leadership, working with great teams around the world and intentionally making the transition to go back to hands-on software development.

This is a fantastic chat with a great engineer with a lot of wisdom to impart.

Guest: - Carlton Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carltonlane/Links:- Axon:

https://www.axon.com/

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.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 LinkedIn

Matthew Sinclair on LinkedIn

Matthew Sinclair's Blog(s)

"Everyone lies to leaders" -- Jade Rubick

"Attitude, Altitude, Agency" -- Matthew Sinclair

"The 5Cs" -- Matthew Sinclair

Quantum Fax Machine (reading lists on selected topics)