# Level up software engineering

Join 30,000+ engineers learning how to level up in their career. Everything you need to grow to senior engineer, tech lead and beyond in tech skills, communication, and leadership.

This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles.

## Eight daily ways an Engineering Manager uses AI for coding, planning, incidents, documentation, queries, unit tests, and debugging

DevFeed: [Eight daily ways an Engineering Manager uses AI for coding, planning, incidents, documentation, queries, unit tests, and debugging](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/8-daily-ways-i-use-ai-as-an-engineering-manager-to-level-up-my-work-28908.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/8-daily-ways-i-use-ai-as-an-engineering>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2025-07-17T11:30:48Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>), [debugging](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/debugging.md>), [Documentation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/documentation.md>), [unit tests](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/unit-tests.md>)

Tags: [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding.md>), [debugging](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/debugging.md>), [docs](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/docs.md>), [engineering-manager](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering-manager.md>), [tests](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tests.md>), [writing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/writing.md>)

### AI overview

An Engineering Manager describes eight practical daily uses of AI across coding, planning, incident work, documentation, complex queries, unit-test writing, and debugging.

### Source excerpt

No BS practical everyday ways I use Ai for coding, planning, incidents, docs, complex queries, writing unit tests, debugging, and more

## From Tech Debt to Top Priority: The Engineer's Guide to Getting Buy-In

DevFeed: [From Tech Debt to Top Priority: The Engineer's Guide to Getting Buy-In](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/from-tech-debt-to-top-priority-the-engineer-s-guide-to-getting-buy-in-28915.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/from-tech-debt-to-top-priority-the>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2025-06-18T12:30:09Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Tech Debt](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tech-debt.md>)

Tags: [guide](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/guide.md>), [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [leadership](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/leadership.md>), [tech-debt](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tech-debt.md>)

### AI overview

A guide to gaining leadership buy-in for addressing technical debt and other large projects across multiple teams, tight timelines, and security concerns.

### Source excerpt

How to get leadership buy-in for tech debt and other large projects across multiple teams, tight timelines, security concerns and more.

## Underrated Engineering Skills for the AI Era

DevFeed: [Underrated Engineering Skills for the AI Era](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/9-underrated-engineering-skills-in-this-ai-era-28909.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/9-underrated-engineering-skills-in>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2025-02-26T12:32:42Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Artificial Intelligence](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai.md>), [Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/code.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>)

Tags: [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>)

### AI overview

The article discusses engineering skills beyond coding that may help engineers stand out as AI is increasingly used for day-to-day code writing.

### Source excerpt

Beyond coding: Underrated skills that'll help you stand out as an engineer while AI is used for more of our day-to-day code writing. Not many of us are thinking about #6.

## Staff Engineer Behaviors for Scaling Impact and Influence

DevFeed: [Staff Engineer Behaviors for Scaling Impact and Influence](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/staff-engineer-behaviors-pt-2-breaking-the-ceiling-into-staff-engineering-28923.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/staff-engineer-behaviors-breaking>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-11-20T14:13:59Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>)

Tags: [career](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career.md>), [career-growth](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career-growth.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>), [leadership](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/leadership.md>), [management](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/management.md>)

### AI overview

This article examines the behaviors that help staff-plus engineers increase their impact and influence sustainably. It emphasizes demonstrated behaviors and achievements, including influencing others, leading, driving organizational outcomes, and operating at the next level as evidence for promotion.

### Source excerpt

Key behaviors that help engineers make transformational leaps in their career and scale their impact and influence in a sustainable and meaningful way.

## How Engineers Transition from Senior to Staff-Plus Roles

DevFeed: [How Engineers Transition from Senior to Staff-Plus Roles](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/breaking-the-staff-engineer-ceiling-pt-1-28911.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/breaking-the-staff-engineer-ceiling>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-09-11T12:40:09Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>)

Tags: [career-growth](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career-growth.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>), [leadership](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/leadership.md>), [mentoring](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mentoring.md>), [mentorship](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mentorship.md>), [promotion](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/promotion.md>)

### AI overview

This article examines the transition from Senior to Staff-Plus Engineer, focusing on how engineers expand their influence, leadership, and organizational impact. It introduces expectations, common advancement gaps, distinguishing behaviors, and strategies involving mentorship, sponsorship, and strategic project involvement.

### Source excerpt

Going from Senior to a Staff-Plus marks a pivotal evolution in an engineer's career, requiring a fundamental shift in how we influence, lead, and drive outcomes across the organization.

## How I went from Tech Lead -\> Engineering Management

DevFeed: [How I went from Tech Lead -\> Engineering Management](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-i-went-from-tech-lead-engineering-management-28916.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/how-i-went-from-tech-lead-engineering>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-08-14T12:37:11Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Tech Lead](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tech-lead.md>)

Tags: [engineering-management](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering-management.md>), [management](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/management.md>), [software-engineer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineer.md>), [tech-lead](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tech-lead.md>)

### AI overview

Part two of a series about lessons learned while moving from Senior Software Engineer to Tech Lead and then to Engineering Management.

### Source excerpt

Part two of our series about everything I've learned going from a Senior Software Engineer to Tech Lead to Engineering Management.

## How I went from Senior Engineer -\> Tech Lead

DevFeed: [How I went from Senior Engineer -\> Tech Lead](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-i-went-from-senior-engineer-tech-lead-28922.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/senior-engineer-to-tech-lead>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-07-31T13:19:01Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Tech Lead](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/tech-lead.md>)

Tags: [engineering-manager](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering-manager.md>), [software-engineer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineer.md>), [tech-lead](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tech-lead.md>)

### AI overview

A two-part series about lessons learned while progressing from Senior Software Engineer to Tech Lead and then Engineering Manager.

### Source excerpt

A two-part series about everything I've learned going from a Senior Software Engineer to Tech Lead to Engineering Manager.

## 15 ways to Supercharge your Career Growth

DevFeed: [15 ways to Supercharge your Career Growth](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/15-ways-to-supercharge-your-career-growth-28906.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/15-ways-to-supercharge-your-career>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-07-17T14:09:02Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Software Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software-engineering.md>), [engineering-culture](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/engineering-culture.md>)

Tags: [career](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career.md>), [career-growth](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career-growth.md>), [skills](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/skills.md>), [software-engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineering.md>)

### AI overview

An experienced software engineer presents 15 traits associated with top-performing engineers and recommends developing them to support skills and career growth.

### Source excerpt

After 10+ yrs of working in software engineering, here are top traits I've seen in the top performing engineers I've worked with. Work on these to supercharge your skills and career growth 🚀

## How to fix slow loading apps

DevFeed: [How to fix slow loading apps](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/how-to-fix-slow-loading-apps-28917.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/how-to-fix-slow-loading-apps>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-07-05T14:31:57Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Web app](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/webapp.md>), [JavaScript](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/javascript.md>), [Web Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/web-development.md>)

Tags: [how-to](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/how-to.md>), [javascript](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/javascript.md>), [web-app](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/web-app.md>)

### AI overview

A tutorial about diagnosing and fixing slow loading in JavaScript web apps, including cases where loading performance unexpectedly degrades for users.

### Source excerpt

How often have you worked on a slow javascript web app that randomly just seemed to slow to a crawl when loading for users?

## A Docker Deep-Dive Cheatsheet

DevFeed: [A Docker Deep-Dive Cheatsheet](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/a-docker-deep-dive-cheatsheet-28913.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/docker-cheatsheet>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-06-19T12:04:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Docker](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/docker.md>), [Cheat sheet](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cheatsheet.md>), [DevOps](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/devops.md>)

Tags: [cheatsheet](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cheatsheet.md>), [devops](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/devops.md>), [docker](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/docker.md>)

### AI overview

The article presents a Docker deep-dive cheatsheet and states that Docker has become prominent in the DevOps world, recommending that developers learn it.

### Source excerpt

Docker is something that has taken the devops world by storm the last few years. You are going to need to get good at it sooner rather than later.

## How to get more work done amid meetings, multiple projects, and mentoring

DevFeed: [How to get more work done amid meetings, multiple projects, and mentoring](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/pt-1-how-to-get-more-done-when-things-are-crazy-28918.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/how-to-get-more-done-pt-1>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-05-22T14:06:07Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [meetings](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/meetings.md>)

Tags: [meetings](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/meetings.md>), [mentoring](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/mentoring.md>), [projects](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/projects.md>), [work](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/work.md>)

### AI overview

The author describes struggling to get work done after moving from one project to broader senior responsibilities involving endless meetings, three projects at once, and mentoring.

### Source excerpt

As an early senior, life was a bit simpler... Plan one project, and deliver it on time. It quickly became endless meetings, 3 projects at once, and lots of mentoring. I struggled to get work done...

## Underrated daily-job software engineering skills

DevFeed: [Underrated daily-job software engineering skills](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/underrated-daily-job-software-engineering-skills-28912.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/daily-job-engineering-skills>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-05-09T13:43:41Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Software Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software-engineering.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/coding.md>)

Tags: [skills](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/skills.md>)

### AI overview

The article argues that coding is important but insufficient on its own, and that software engineers need to develop other engineering skills to succeed.

### Source excerpt

Focusing solely on coding is deprecated. Coding is a key part of our job as engineers, but we often we forget all the other engineering skills we need to develop to be successful.

## Increasing impact and productivity beyond meetings

DevFeed: [Increasing impact and productivity beyond meetings](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/oof-what-did-i-even-do-this-week-besides-meetings-28914.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/force-multiplying-activities>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-04-10T12:21:48Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [meetings](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/meetings.md>)

Tags: [leadership](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/leadership.md>), [meetings](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/meetings.md>), [productivity](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/productivity.md>)

### AI overview

A personal account of feeling unproductive after a week dominated by meetings and working to reframe that experience, increase impact and productivity, and communicate it to leadership.

### Source excerpt

You are not alone. I've spent months feeling this way. Here's how I worked to re-wire my thoughts, increase my impact and productivity, and surface that to leadership.

## Career advice from a WhatsApp founding engineer

DevFeed: [Career advice from a WhatsApp founding engineer](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/7-tips-to-get-ahead-of-99-of-software-engineers-28907.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/7-tips-to-get-ahead-of-99-of-software>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-03-20T13:02:50Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>)

Tags: [career](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/career.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>), [tips](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tips.md>)

### AI overview

The article presents seven tips for software engineers seeking career advancement, attributed to one of WhatsApp's founding engineers.

### Source excerpt

One of WhatApp's founding engineers and multi-millionaire engineers teaches us how to excel in your career and get ahead of 99% of other engineers.

## March Book Club Details 📚

DevFeed: [March Book Club Details 📚](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/march-book-club-details-28920.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://levelupsoftwareengineering.substack.com/p/march-book-club-details>)

Author: Caleb Mellas

Published: 2024-03-01T14:11:23Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Level up software engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/level-up-software-engineering.md>)

Topics: [Learning](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/learning.md>), [Software Engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software-engineering.md>), [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>)

Tags: [book](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/book.md>), [book-club](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/book-club.md>), [engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/engineering.md>), [learning](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/learning.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>), [software-engineer](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineer.md>), [software-engineering](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software-engineering.md>)

### AI overview

This announcement details a monthly Level Up Software Engineering Book Club focused on The Software Engineer's Guidebook by Gergely Orosz. It provides the meeting schedule, reading plan, discussion format, guest facilitators, and participation requirements for paid subscribers.

### Source excerpt

If you are interested in learning together, join our book club! We'll be diving deep into "The Software Engineer's Guidebook" by Gergely Orosz.