June 9, 2024 7:00 PM PDT
This meeting discusses the transition from an Individual Contributor (IC) Software Engineer to an AI Engineering Manager, focusing on the experiences and insights shared by a presenter with a background in software engineering and management in AI projects.
Presenter: Julia, Engineering Manager
Transition Journey
- Background in software engineering with a degree from UC Davis.
- Joined a tech company after graduation, working on creator-related projects.
- Served as the Engineering Manager for the Home team and managed the POE core team.
- Experienced delays in promotion from L3 to L4 but gained significant ownership of projects.
Key Responsibilities and Leadership
- Emphasis on ownership within the company, acting as the Direct Responsible Individual (DRI) for bug assignments.
- Led initiatives such as bug hunting events to improve product quality.
- Promoted to manager after a new manager left, highlighting the importance of leadership stability.
Opportunities in AI
- Engaged in AI projects since the inception of POE in late 2022.
- Observed trends in large language models (LLMs), including exponential growth and increasing model diversity.
- Competitors include various first-party model products, with notable user engagement metrics.
Product Development and Features
- Developed an aggregator platform (POE) that connects to multiple AI models.
- Introduced features that allow multiple bots to participate in the same chat, enhancing user interaction.
- Encouraged developers to monetize their creations through the platform.
Career Development in AI/ML
- Suggested pathways for general software engineers to transition into AI/ML roles:
- Increase familiarity with AI technologies.
- Build applications that leverage AI.
- Join companies actively hiring for AI roles.
Company Culture and Growth
- Described the remote-first work environment with a diverse team across multiple countries.
- Highlighted the company's growth trajectory and funding achievements.
- Discussed the interview process for potential candidates, emphasizing the importance of readiness and adaptability.
Challenges of Transitioning to Management
- Acknowledged the discomfort of transitioning from peer to manager.
- Emphasized the need to remain technically engaged while solving problems as a manager.
Community Engagement
- Encouraged participation in hackathons and community events to identify problems and requirements in the tech space.
- Suggested volunteering as a way to gain experience and network within the industry.