The Modern Engineer Podcast

What does it really take to build a successful engineering career, and create financial freedom beyond your paycheck?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with John Gravelyn, founder of First Principles Partners and former engineering leader at Ford and Rivian.
John shares his journey from studying physics to leading prototype vehicle programs, becoming an engineering manager, launching his own company, and helping engineers make smarter real estate decisions.
What You'll Learn
Lessons from launching vehicles at Rivian
Why confidence changes careers
The importance of soft skills for engineers
How leadership creates opportunities
Why engineers should understand real estate investing
Entrepreneurship after engineering
Long-term wealth strategies for technical professionals
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[01:00] John's engineering journey
[04:15] Launching the Rivian R1S
[08:20] Confidence through leadership
[11:15] Why soft skills matter
[14:20] Entrepreneurship after engineering
[17:00] Real estate and financial freedom
[19:10] Advice for young engineers
[20:20] Closing thoughts
 
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Artificial Intelligence isn't replacing engineers, it's redefining what great engineering looks like.
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Senior AI Architect Trent McFarlane to discuss his journey from building websites at age 11 to leading AI platform governance for enterprise organizations.
They explore how AI is transforming software development, why engineers should rethink traditional career paths, Microsoft's engineering culture, continuous learning, and the opportunities AI creates for future developers.
What You'll Learn
Trent's path into software engineering
Lessons from Microsoft
AI governance explained
Why AI education is changing faster than universities
The future of engineering careers
Why every engineer should think like a business owner
Practical advice for students entering tech today
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[01:25] Trent's early engineering journey
[05:18] Career turning points
[10:40] Microsoft experience
[15:10] AI and society
[22:30] AI infrastructure and data centers
[27:45] Advice for new engineers
[33:10] Building a business alongside your career
[35:20] Closing thoughts
Guest:
Trent McFarlaneSenior AI Architect
 
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How far can your career grow if you're willing to hear "no"?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, host Syed Ishaat sits down with Julie Price, Director of Marketing at Atlanta Tech Park, to discuss the career decisions, mindset shifts, and leadership lessons that helped shape her professional journey.
Julie shares how she transformed an administrative role into a marketing career, why creating your own opportunities matters, and the importance of persistence, teamwork, and asking for what you deserve.
The conversation also explores marketing in the age of AI, startup culture, protecting equity, and why the people you surround yourself with can have the biggest impact on your success.
What You'll Learn
How Julie created opportunities instead of waiting for them
Why "don't be afraid of no" became her career philosophy
Lessons from building marketing teams
AI's role in modern marketing
Why networking still matters
Protecting equity when building a startup
Career advice for young professionals
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[01:02] Julie's role at Atlanta Tech Park
[03:28] How her marketing career began
[07:05] Creating opportunities inside Duracell
[11:00] AI, creativity, and modern marketing
[14:30] Career advice: Don't fear "No"
[17:00] Startup lessons and protecting equity
[19:40] Final advice for young professionals
If you're building your career, growing a business, or leading a team, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately.
 
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What does it take for an engineer to grow into leadership, navigate career pivots, and build long-term professional success?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Gary Gillespie to discuss his journey from working at NASA Johnson Space Center to leading software companies and co-founding a startup in the IT space.
Gary shares practical lessons on networking, leadership, communication skills, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and how engineers can intentionally shape their careers over time.
Gary is also the co-founder of Rhodium Systems Inc., a company focused on IT software solutions and DNS configuration management. Learn more here: ResorsIT
What You’ll Learn
How Gary transitioned from mechanical engineering into software
Why networking matters more than most engineers realize
The communication skills engineers need to develop
What changes when you move into leadership roles
Why side hustles and complementary skills matter today
How engineers can become more intentional with career growth
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction[00:38] Gary’s Current Role in Software Startups[01:32] Starting at NASA Johnson Space Center[02:26] Transitioning Into Software Engineering[03:08] Career Challenges During the Dot-Com Era[04:32] The Career Pivot That Changed Everything[06:03] Growing Into Leadership Roles[08:00] Why Communication Skills Matter for Engineers[10:04] Networking & Helping Others Succeed[12:20] Why Engineers Should Take Initiative[13:53] Side Hustles & Career Optionality[15:10] Career Advice Gary Wishes He Knew Earlier[16:20] Intentional Career Growth for Engineers[17:02] Final Thoughts
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What happens when a 20-year Air Force career meets entrepreneurship, startup pivots, and relentless persistence?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with retired U.S. Air Force veteran and Montjoy Inc. founder Timothy Montjoy to discuss his journey from military service into the tech startup world.
Timothy shares the lessons he learned transitioning into civilian life, building a startup team, navigating uncertainty, and why mentorship became one of the biggest accelerators in his entrepreneurial journey.
From leadership and resilience to startup execution and long-term thinking, this episode is packed with practical insights for engineers, founders, veterans, and aspiring entrepreneurs.
What You’ll Learn
How veterans can transition into entrepreneurship
Why startup pivots are sometimes necessary
The importance of mentorship and networking
How to build balanced, high-performing teams
Leadership lessons from military experience
Why persistence matters more than perfection
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction[01:10] Transitioning from the Air Force to entrepreneurship[03:45] Building a nonprofit and startup journey[06:20] Taking risks and overcoming fear[08:30] The challenge of building the right team[12:15] Founder Institute and startup acceleration[15:10] Persistence and navigating setbacks[18:20] Long-term thinking and business growth[20:10] Advice for younger professionals[21:40] Final thoughts
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What happens when an engineer starts thinking beyond just a paycheck?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Ajay Katneni to discuss his journey from data engineering and automation to entrepreneurship and real estate investing.
Ajay shares how consistently meeting client expectations shaped his career, why intentional focus matters, and the investing lesson he wishes he learned much earlier.
If you're an engineer, tech professional, or entrepreneur thinking about long-term wealth and career growth, this conversation offers practical perspective grounded in real-world experience.
What You’ll Learn
How Ajay built a 20+ year tech career
Why client relationships accelerated his growth
The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur
Why engineers should think about investing early
How real estate became a second growth engine
The importance of making your money work for you
Chapters
[00:00] – Introduction[00:28] – Ajay’s background in tech and data engineering[01:28] – Moving from engineering into entrepreneurship[02:06] – The key to career growth: client expectations[03:02] – Leadership, responsibility, and recognition[04:01] – Advice for engineers seeking success[05:05] – Making your money work for you[06:34] – Why Ajay wishes he started investing earlier[08:08] – The best time to start is now[08:50] – Final thoughts and closing
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What does it actually take to grow into a senior software engineering role at Microsoft?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Paul Johnston shares his journey from struggling to land internships to becoming a Senior Software Engineer working on Kubernetes networking at Microsoft Azure.
Paul breaks down the mindset shifts, technical habits, mentorship lessons, and communication skills that helped accelerate his career growth. He also shares why internal tooling, ownership, and helping teammates became the foundation for his promotions.
Whether you’re a computer science student, junior engineer, or experienced developer looking to level up, this episode is packed with practical insights for long-term growth in tech.
What You’ll Learn
How Paul bounced back after internship rejections
Why mentorship matters more than prestige early on
The real responsibilities of a Senior Software Engineer
How Kubernetes and Azure networking fit into Microsoft
Why internal tools and automation accelerate career growth
The importance of people skills in engineering
How side projects and coaching created new opportunities
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction[00:33] What Paul Does at Microsoft[01:20] Struggling to Land Internships[03:00] First Engineering Role as a Web Developer[04:18] Landing Opportunities After Persistence[05:30] Joining Microsoft During the Kubernetes Boom[07:05] Building Internal Tools & Automation[09:20] The Mindset Shift Into Senior Engineering[11:15] Why Mentorship Matters More Than Prestige[12:50] Side Projects, Coaching & YouTube[15:05] Passion Before Profit[16:00] Why Engineers Need Better People Skills[17:00] Closing Thoughts & Coolster Codes
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Most engineers focus on technical skills, but career growth often comes down to networking, adaptability, risk-taking, and mindset.
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Vincent Ceyssens, founder and president of Porter Security Programming, to discuss engineering career pivots, entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a life that prioritizes both growth and family.
Vincent shares lessons from working in research engineering, STEM education, IT leadership, and launching his own business in the security technology industry.
What You’ll Learn
Why networking matters more than most engineers realize
How engineers can navigate career pivots successfully
The mindset shift required to become an entrepreneur
Why discomfort is necessary for growth
How to balance career ambition with family priorities
Lessons from building a technology-focused business
Chapters
[00:00] Intro[01:18] Vincent’s engineering background[03:45] Early career challenges[08:20] Taking ownership of your career[11:02] The power of mindset and personal growth[14:12] Entrepreneurship and stepping into discomfort[17:45] Building a business and balancing family[21:03] Networking advice for engineers[25:10] Final career advice for young professionals
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AI isn’t just a tool anymore, it’s becoming part of how engineers actually work.
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Senior Software Engineer Khushan Adatiya to break down what it really takes to grow in today’s fast-changing engineering landscape.
From transitioning into cloud engineering to working with real production systems, Khushan shares the mindset shifts that helped him move from junior developer to building AI infrastructure.
What You’ll Learn
Why real engineering starts when systems fail
How AI is changing the way developers work daily
The difference between academic coding and production systems
Why visibility matters more than you think
How to adapt faster in the AI era
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction01:10 Khushan’s background in cloud & AI02:30 Challenges moving from university to real systems04:20 Career turning point: impact & responsibility06:00 AI in engineering workflows08:30 Why engineers must adapt to AI10:00 Career growth: visibility & impact11:30 Getting out of your comfort zone13:00 Advice for early-career engineers14:30 Final thoughts: unlearn & relearn
 
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What actually drives success in a software engineering career?
In this episode of The Modern Engineer, Syed Ishaat sits down with Microsoft engineer and founder Vijay Valaboju to unpack the real factors behind long-term growth in tech.
From starting in a small town in India to building a career at Microsoft, Vijay shares how mentorship, failure, and stepping outside your comfort zone shaped his journey and what engineers often overlook when trying to level up.
He also shares insights from building his own platform, Stunsy, and the realities of taking a product from development to market.
What You’ll Learn:
Why staying comfortable slows your career growth
How mentorship can accelerate your trajectory
The role of failure in becoming a better engineer
Why building a product isn’t enough, distribution matters
How to develop a self-starter mindset in techChapters:00:00 Intro01:05 Vijay’s early career journey04:30 Transition to Accenture, HCL, and Microsoft07:00 Challenges and learning from mistakes09:30 Mentorship and career acceleration13:00 Advice for engineers starting out15:30 Building Stunsy and startup lessons18:30 Final thoughts on failure and growth
🎮 Check out Vijay’s platform: Stunsy
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