Leading engineering in a changing world: people, systems and AI Guest

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Episode summary

What happens when AI shifts not just how we build systems, but how we lead people?

In this episode, Chris Davies is joined by James Ross, CTO for SEEK across Asia Pacific. They explore what’s changing (and what isn’t) about leading engineering teams in a world of increasing complexity, scale and generative AI. James shares his personal journey from developer to tech exec, his philosophy on leadership, and where he sees AI unlocking real change; not just in tools, but in how value gets created.

They also talk about trade-offs, trust, fast feedback loops, and why engineering leadership today is as much about helping people navigate ambiguity as it is about making technical decisions.

Guest bio

James Ross is the Chief Technology Officer for SEEK across Asia Pacific. With a background in software engineering, architecture and product development, he’s led teams from scale-ups to large enterprises. Before SEEK, James was VP Engineering at Envato. He’s passionate about enabling others, building technical cultures of trust, and helping engineers do their best work, even when the ground is shifting beneath them.

Key takeaways

1. From dev to CTO: leadership as a shift in mindset

[04:36] James shares his career journey and why becoming a leader wasn’t a single decision, it was about following the work that felt meaningful.
[06:30] He reflects on letting go of technical depth as your sole source of value, and learning to lead through others.
[08:05] The hardest part? Shifting from doing to supporting and optimising for impact, not output.

2. Building high-trust teams in high-complexity systems

[11:02] James describes how SEEK’s engineering team is structured and what leadership looks like at scale.
[13:42] Chris and James discuss the role of clarity in complex systems—and why high autonomy needs strong shared context.
[16:40] Leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes; it’s about creating environments where others can thrive.

3. AI is reframing the role of engineering

[18:14] James unpacks how AI is changing engineering trade-offs, from speed and observability to system safety.
[22:50] SEEK is experimenting with AI across architecture, code, and process, but sees it as an amplifier, not a silver bullet.
[25:10] Chris poses the big question: what makes a great engineer now? James reflects on curiosity, communication and judgement.

4. Generalists, fixers and the future of engineering roles

[28:17] James explores whether AI is shifting team dynamics, do we need fewer specialists, or just different kinds?
[30:12] They talk about the emerging “Fixer” role, someone who can make sense of the AI-generated mess and restore order.
[32:44] Complexity isn’t going away. But AI is changing how we navigate it, and who does the navigating.

5. AI as both catalyst and constraint

[36:23] James shares SEEK’s internal approach: fast feedback cycles, embedded AI teams, and collaborative exploration.
[39:48] It’s easier than ever to try new things, but harder to choose the right ones. The challenge is filtering signal from noise.
[42:51] James reflects on how AI has changed his own thinking as a leader: the bar for quality hasn’t lowered, it’s just moved.

Resources and links

• Learn more about SEEK’s engineering culture

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