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Matthew, Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company: Advize Career Interview
Discover a career path as unique as a double major in math and philosophy, leading from doctoral studies in logic to a Software Engineer III role at a Big Tech company!
The work involves designing and implementing software for distributed systems, demanding a blend of coding expertise in C, C++, and SQL, along with project management skills to ensure timely product delivery.
A typical day includes triaging urgent communications, attending meetings, and coding, increasingly leveraging AI tools.
Critical thinking, communication, and mentorship are invaluable, as the most successful in the industry are intellectually curious, meticulous, and communicative.
The role offers constant learning, creative opportunities, and exposure to diverse disciplines, yet navigating the evolving technological landscape and identifying valuable contributions present challenges.
Embrace a "growth mindset" and remember the importance of being a "business person" focused on delivering impactful products. Entry-level positions are out there, and your initial role is an investment in your future, so don't be too picky.
This journey emphasizes that cultivating resilience and assuming accountability, alongside developing time management and critical thinking skills in college, can set you up for success. This could be you!
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Matthew Gagliardi
Software Engineer III
Big Tech Company
University of San Diego
U.C. Berekely . M.A. mathematics
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics, Philosophy
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Took Out Loans
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Career Path of a Software Engineer at a Big Tech Company
Matthew's career path started with a double major in math and philosophy, driven by an initial interest in priesthood and mathematical logic, later pursuing doctoral studies in logic at UC Berkeley before transitioning to teaching mathematics and eventually tech, noting a background curiosity about coding and theoretical computer science. Securing the first software engineering role at Ion, a fraud detection company, Matthew then gained experience at various startups before finding a place at a Big Tech Company, where the scale and impact of projects used by millions of users proved "incredibly eye-opening and incredibly challenging".
Main Responsibilities of a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company, spends the majority of their time "implementing and designing specs for software that will be used in distributed systems", primarily through coding in C, C++, and SQL and debugging distributed systems across various teams and repositories. A significant portion of the role also involves project management-like tasks, such as estimating delivery timelines, identifying potential blockers, and ensuring all necessary resources are available for timely product delivery, balancing innovation with "keeping the trains running on time for the products and features that already exist."
A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer at Big Tech Company
A software engineer's day at a big tech company starts with triaging urgent communications from a globally distributed team and addressing auto-generated alerts, sometimes escalating to customer-facing issues, followed by a mix of meetings with varying levels of required participation. Then the engineer focuses on coding, implementing features while interacting with product managers and increasingly leveraging AI tools as a "collaborative exercise," reflecting a significant shift in the software development landscape.
Most Important Skills for a Software Engineer III at a Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company, emphasizes that while specialization is valuable, "general critical thinking" is paramount, enabling adaptation to unfamiliar tech stacks and bug identification in various systems, even for those with non-traditional backgrounds; furthermore, being a mentor, similar to how a teacher provides guidance to students, is crucial for fostering a supportive environment and solidifying one's own understanding, making communication and mentorship essential alongside technical skills.
Favorite Parts of Being a Software Engineer at Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at a large tech company, most enjoys the constant learning inherent in the role, which keeps the work engaging and challenging, allowing one to "be a scholar" and continuously acquire new knowledge; additionally, Matthew finds the opportunity for creativity in software development appealing, noting that while it may be more prevalent at smaller companies or startups, the "art to software development" remains a rewarding aspect of the field.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Software Engineer at a Big Tech Company
Matthew's biggest challenge as a Software Engineer III at a Big Tech company is understanding where one fits in and navigating the evolving technological landscape to add the most value, as "knowing where to go" and "read[ing] the tea leaves" to identify important areas to focus on is difficult. This is compounded by a shifting perception of software engineering from a "dream job" to a field where being attentive to team fit and proactively seeking valuable contributions is crucial, requiring more confidence and strategic thinking about one's career trajectory.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Software Industry As A Software Engineer
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech, enjoys the industry's diversity and how it intersects with various disciplines. A key benefit is the ability to "be a bit of a dabbler," working alongside professionals from different fields like medicine or law, and even potentially pursuing interests like quantum computing, which is a personal academic passion.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Software Engineering Industry According To A Software Engineer At Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company, describes thriving software engineers as possessing a blend of intellectual curiosity and meticulousness, emphasizing the need to "dot your i's and cross your t's" while also being creative and communicative, particularly in code reviews where the ability to give constructive criticism is crucial for career advancement. Effective time management and the awareness to recognize when to seek help are also vital, as successful engineers must prioritize tasks and avoid getting bogged down, demonstrating the importance of metacognition.
What a Software Engineer at Big Tech Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Tech Industry
Matthew wishes someone had told him that being a Software Engineer is also about being a "business person" and delivering impactful products, not just writing perfect code; while his philosophical nature leans toward careful planning, the industry often values a "move fast and break things" mentality for those focused on product delivery. He notes that while a more research-oriented role may be a better long-term fit for his introspective approach, thriving as a Software Engineer requires embracing the fast-paced, impact-driven mindset.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Software Engineers
Matthew advises undergraduates and graduate students looking for entry-level software engineering positions to "not be too picky with [their] first job" and to see it as an investment in themselves, as there's "no substitute for experience," even if the roles involve unfamiliar AI tools and require some career re-architecting. Matthew, who took eight years to get into a Big Tech role despite not majoring in CS, believes "those roles have to [and] will be there," despite a changing landscape, offering a message of opportunity and incremental growth.
Significant Career Lesson From a Software Engineer at Big Tech Company
Matthew, a Software Engineer III at Big Tech Company, emphasizes the importance of "assum[ing] accountability for things and tak[ing] responsibility without being apologetic," advocating for a "growth mindset" where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities. In a high-pressure industry where work is "under a microscope," cultivating resilience and assuming goodwill from colleagues is key to long-term sustainability and success.
College Experiences That Helped a Software Engineer at a Tech Company Succeed
Matthew, a Software Engineer III, suggests that college success stems from developing general skills applicable regardless of career path, such as "time management" and "critical thinking" – the ability to distill complex problems. Matthew emphasizes the value of diverse experiences, even seemingly throwaway ones like on-campus jobs, alongside intellectual curiosity and the ability to mentor and learn from others.
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