#74 | Building high performing Software Engineering Organizations, Lutz Hühnken - Head of Engineering @ Upvest

A classic!

This week we sit down with Lutz Hühnken, a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience, to discuss the intricacies of engineering leadership, his personal career journey, and his comprehensive approach to fostering high-performing software engineering teams. From his early fascination with computing to his current role overseeing engineering at a dynamic fintech startup Upvest, Lutz shares invaluable insights into what it takes to build, lead, and evolve cutting-edge engineering organizations in today's fast-paced tech landscape.

Key Highlights:

Early Beginnings: Lutz recounts his initial foray into the world of technology during the home computer era, marking the start of a lifelong passion for programming and engineering.

Career Journey: From software development in the ecommerce boom to pioneering digital transformations and integrating legacy systems, Lutz's career trajectory showcases his adaptability and foresight in navigating the evolving tech industry.

Philosophy on High-Performing Teams: Lutz delves into his approach to creating effective software engineering teams, emphasizing the importance of domain understanding, ownership, and decision-making autonomy. He advocates for a performance measure that goes beyond speed to include value delivery and business impact.

Hiring and Leadership: Insights into Lutz's hiring philosophy reveal a focus on diversity, potential, and a product mindset among engineers. He stresses the significance of building a culture that values contributions to the team's success over mere cultural fit.

Future of Engineering Leadership: Lutz discusses trends in tech leadership, including the shift towards hands-on engineering managers and the strategic role of leadership in fostering autonomy and strategic foresight within teams.

Strategic Thinking and Organizational Growth: Highlighting the balance between ambition and practicality, Lutz talks about aiming for significant goals while anticipating future challenges, especially around scalability and regulatory compliance, to ensure smart and organic organizational growth.

Platform Engineering and Its Evolution: Addressing the buzz around platform engineering, Lutz views platform teams as crucial enablers that multiply the engineering team's productivity. He counters the notion of platform teams as mere cost centers, highlighting the challenging and attractive aspects of platform engineering.

Berlin's Tech Ecosystem: Lutz shares his perspective on Berlin as a vibrant hub for startups, venture capital, and tech innovation in Germany, praising the city's dynamic energy and its appeal to tech professionals worldwide.

Future Perspectives and Personal Goals: Looking ahead, Lutz expresses contentment with his current role and enthusiasm for the potential growth and impact of his work. While open to future opportunities, his commitment to contributing to his company's culture and success remains paramount.

Closing Thoughts: This episode offers a deep dive into the principles of effective engineering leadership, the challenges and opportunities of building software engineering organizations, and the continuous evolution required to stay at the forefront of technology. Lutz Hühnken's journey and insights provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to lead or be part of innovative engineering teams.