From a young age, I was captivated by the power of technology to transform ideas into reality. My journey began with a simple computer game that piqued my curiosity and motivated me to learn how computers work. This passion led me to pursue an honors degree in Computer Science from the University of Madras.
Early in my career, I worked through startups and small to medium enterprises, gaining diverse experience and seeing it all. I was a core engineer in building India’s largest online pharmacy, Netmeds, where I honed my skills in developing full-stack solutions. After this, I started my career at PayPal, where I led the charge in developing mobile WAP payments during the early stages of mobile technology adoption, showcasing my ability to innovate and excel in a rapidly evolving field.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most respected names in the industry, including Amazon, Motorola, Robert Bosch, and PayPal. At Amazon, I directed software engineering teams responsible for developing features for Amazon’s consumer-facing and enterprise applications, significantly enhancing the customer experience, spearheading new products and features, and saving tens of millions in operational costs. Additionally, as an Amazon Bar Raiser, I conducted over 200 interviews, identifying common pitfalls and leveraging that experience to provide greater insights into coaching. My tenure at Motorola was marked by providing thought leadership and implementing the first Site Reliability Engineering organization, driving significant improvements in system availability and development processes.
At Robert Bosch, I led groundbreaking projects, including the launch of the Bosch Next smart campus platform and an indoor navigation technology. This research and development project resulted in applications for indoor mapping and OEM maps integration. I also played an instrumental role in Bosch’s mobile app organization, establishing the framework and processes to launch over 300 enterprise mobile apps, creating an enterprise app store, and leading the Mobile Center of Excellence.
My career has taken me across the globe, living in diverse countries like Singapore and Germany, and traveling extensively. This exposure has given me a deep understanding of different cultures and the ability to collaborate and lead diverse teams effectively.
Beyond my professional accomplishments, one of my proudest achievements is the impact I’ve made as a mentor and career coach. As I grew from an engineer to a leader, I discovered a passion for helping other engineers. Learning from my own experiences and mistakes, I gained valuable insights into effective coaching and leadership. My practical experience, combined with a methodical and scientific approach, has delivered successful results in coaching and mentoring over the years. I have coached over 100 engineers, helping them navigate their career paths, develop their skills, and achieve their goals. My strengths in people leadership, hands-on engineering, and strategic planning have enabled me to guide and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.
In addition to my technical and leadership roles, I have a keen interest in writing. I regularly share insights on LinkedIn, covering a range of topics from software architecture and development to emerging technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence, as well as leadership and career coaching.
With a strong foundation in innovation and operational excellence, I’m dedicated to helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential and achieve success in the tech industry. Let’s work together to achieve your career aspirations.
© 2024 Haseeb Mohammad Afsar