What does it take to build a successful career in software engineering when technology is changing faster than ever?

In this episode of the NY Professional Spotlight Podcast, Roman Kirzhner speaks with software engineer Aviral Srivastava about his career in technology, the importance of strong technical fundamentals, and how artificial intelligence is changing the way software engineers work.

Aviral shares how his interest in programming started when he was only eight or nine years old. That early curiosity eventually developed into a career in software engineering and infrastructure. His professional experience has included work at Affirm, Pinecone, Twitter (now X), and Atlan.

Aviral explains why breaking large problems into smaller ones has been such an important part of his approach to engineering. He also discusses why good software is not only about computers. It is ultimately built for people, which makes thoughtful system design, communication, and long-term usability important.

Roman and Aviral also explore one of the biggest questions facing technology professionals today: Will AI replace software engineers?

Aviral shares a practical view. He sees AI as a powerful tool that can improve productivity, but he also believes engineers still need to understand the fundamentals behind the work. Rather than simply asking AI for an answer and applying it, professionals need enough knowledge to understand the problem and guide the technology.

The conversation also covers an important lesson Aviral has learned as his career has grown: technical ability alone is not enough. Communication becomes increasingly important when engineers begin working on larger and more complex problems. Being proactive, setting expectations, and communicating timelines can have a major impact on a team.

Aviral also shares his personal approach to investing and financial planning, including why he prefers a simple, long-term approach rather than depending heavily on speculative investments.

Be A Guest Are you a successful business owner or professional with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://nyprofessionalspotlight.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you.