Growing as a Software Engineer: Learning, Sharing, and Impact, with Emilien Macchi

Career growth in software engineering is often described as a matter of accumulating technical skills, mastering new tools, or moving into more complex systems. In reality, the journey is more nuanced.

In this episode of Le Podcast on Emerging Leadership, I had the pleasure of welcoming Emilien Macchi, Senior Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat, to discuss how learning and sharing have shaped his career.

Learning as a continuous practice. Emilien is a long-time contributor to OpenStack, having been involved nearly since the inception of the project. Originally from France and now based in Canada, he has built his career in distributed, open-source environments. A recurring theme in our conversation is that learning never stops — and more importantly, learning rarely happens alone. Practices like peer reviews, pair programming, open discussions, and shared problem-solving contribute not only to better code, but to better engineers.

Collaboration, including remote work. Emilien shares a perspective that may surprise some: he believes that collaboration can be easier and better in remote contexts. We explore why remote work, when supported by the right practices, can improve focus, encourage clearer communication, and create more inclusive collaboration.

Growing beyond technical skills. Of course, I also asked Emilien what he believes are the most important things to develop as a software engineer. The answer goes beyond technical skills — communication, curiosity, responsibility, and the ability to learn with others. These capabilities shape long-term impact far more than any specific technology.

A reflection on practitioner leadership. As Emilien was also one of the first people to leave a written review on Goodreads, I asked him what he thought of I am a Software Engineer and I am in Charge. This led to a broader reflection on responsibility, ownership, and how engineers can increase both their impact and satisfaction at work.

Growth, as Emilien shows, is less about standing out and more about learning, sharing, and contributing over time.