What does it mean when an top local leader in engineering says, "We don't hire engineers"?

In this episode of Austin Tech Connect, Thom Singer sits down with Balazs Barna, Head of U.S. Engineering at Wise, to unpack that statement and explore what engineering leadership looks like in an AI-driven world. Balazs explains that Wise is not looking for people who simply execute tickets. They want "product engineers"... professionals who can think beyond code, understand customer pain points, evaluate whether a problem is worth solving, and build with the business outcome in mind.

The conversation digs into how AI is changing the day-to-day work of engineers, but also why the fundamentals still matter. Balazs argues that AI is a powerful amplifier. It can speed up development, improve testing, and make teams more productive. But it cannot replace human judgment. Organizations still need people who can think clearly, understand tradeoffs, and make sure they are solving the right problems, not just building things faster.

Thom and Balazs also talk about what companies get wrong when adopting AI. Too many organizations remain overly top-down or fail to give their teams enough autonomy to choose tools and think critically. At Wise, engineers are encouraged to use leading AI tools, stay close to trends, and remain grounded in first principles. Curiosity, business understanding, and customer awareness are now essential traits for technical talent.

The discussion also turns practical for mid-career professionals. Balazs shares his advice for engineers who feel uncertain about how AI may affect their future: learn the tools, stay engaged, and build new skills now. He describes taking time himself to immerse in AI-assisted building so he could better understand what his teams are experiencing. His message is clear: the people who stay close to these changes will be in the best position to take advantage of the new opportunities that AI creates.

The episode closes with a broader look at Austin. Balazs reflects on why Wise chose Austin for its U.S. headquarters, what makes the city strong as a tech hub, and why community engagement matters. He also shares thoughts on where Austin can improve, including the need for more meetups, more gatherings, and more visible leadership across the local tech ecosystem.

This is a thoughtful conversation about engineering, leadership, AI adoption, and the kind of community Austin needs if it wants to keep building for the future.

Key topics in this episode:

• Why Wise says it hires "product engineers," not just engineers
• How AI is improving productivity but not replacing judgment
• What strong engineers still need to understand in an AI era
• Why autonomy and curiosity matter inside engineering teams
• Advice for mid-career engineers adapting to rapid change
• Why Austin stood out as the right place for Wise to grow
• What Austin tech is doing well, and where the community can do more

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Thanks to the Sponsor of Austin Tech Connect - Calavista Software