In this episode, CEO Jonathan Rhyne interviews Matej Bukovinski, CTO of Nutrient, discussing his journey from growing up in a small village in Slovenia to becoming a leader in software engineering. They explore Matej’s early influences in technology, his university experience, and his transition into the tech industry. The conversation delves into the challenges of leadership, the impact of AI on software development, and advice for aspiring engineers in a rapidly evolving field.

Topics you’ll hear about:

• Matej's journey into tech began with a curiosity for the future and sci-fi influences.
• He faced challenges in convincing his parents to get a computer, which sparked his interest in technology.
• Matej's first computer experience was at school, where he quickly took on a leadership role in the computer lab.
• He pursued computer science in university, finding joy in subjects like math and physics.
• His first app was a public transit app, which gained traction and led to freelance opportunities.
• Joining Nutrient (then PSPDFKit) allowed him to work on impactful projects and develop a well-known SDK.
• Transitioning to leadership roles involved navigating team dynamics and project management.
• As CTO, he emphasizes the importance of balancing technical and business perspectives.
• Hiring and team culture are critical challenges in today's tech landscape.
• Matej advises aspiring engineers to embrace AI and focus on problem-solving rather than just coding

Chapters00:00 Introductions02:03 Early influences and interest in technology10:08 Education and early career choices15:57 Transition to professional software development23:56 Joining PSPDFKit and early contributions28:04 Growth and evolution at PSPDFKit34:54 Leadership transition and new challenges38:16 The evolution of leadership roles40:09 Understanding the CTO role43:03 Balancing technical and business decisions45:26 People management in tech48:12 Navigating organizational growth50:31 Challenges in technical leadership53:40 Hiring in the age of AI56:27 Cultural dynamics in growing companies01:00:30 The future of coding with AI01:11:01 Advice for aspiring software engineersWe hope you enjoyed this episode full of insights, humor, and practical wisdom from Matej Bukovinski. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Source Branch, and join us for the next exciting conversation on engineering problem-solving and innovation!Each guest featured on The Source Branch works on technology that accelerates innovation for businesses and consumers. Read about their insights and development process on the Nutrient blog. Interested in career opportunities at Nutrient? Visit our Careers page. Learn more about what the team behind The Source Branch is working on at nutrient.io.