In this episode of The Tech Trek, Amir Bormand sits down with Mayuresh Hajirnis, Director of Engineering at Altruist, to discuss his fascinating journey from QA to software engineering leadership. Mayuresh shares valuable lessons on bridging the gap between QA and engineering, creating a culture of quality, and how his background has shaped his leadership approach. Whether you're in QA, development, or aspiring to lead engineering teams, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration. Key Takeaways: Crossing the Chasm Between QA and Engineering: Transitioning from QA to engineering requires understanding the full software development lifecycle and contributing beyond immediate responsibilities. Elevating QA as a First-Class Citizen: Building a culture where quality assurance is integral to the development process leads to better products and streamlined collaboration. Empowering Teams Through Collaboration: Involving developers in QA processes and vice versa fosters mutual understanding and strengthens overall product quality. Leadership Perspectives: Experience in QA provides a holistic view that is invaluable in engineering leadership, emphasizing both quality and delivery. Advice for Aspiring Engineers: Maintain a deep understanding of code, participate in cross-functional reviews, and develop empathy for both internal and external stakeholders. Timestamped Highlights: [00:00:00] Introduction to Mayuresh and his role at Altruist. [00:01:00] Mayuresh’s journey from software development to QA at Yahoo. [00:02:53] Building automation frameworks and transitioning back into engineering. [00:05:00] Challenges and opportunities in moving from QA to core engineering. [00:07:00] Treating QA automation as a first-class citizen in software delivery. [00:10:17] Bringing visibility and recognition to QA contributions. [00:13:23] How QA experience influences engineering leadership. [00:17:26] Advice for QA professionals aspiring to transition to engineering. [00:21:17] The value of empathy in engineering leadership. [00:23:46] How to connect with Mayuresh for advice and insights. Quote of the Episode: "Quality is everyone's responsibility. By treating QA as a first-class citizen in the development process, we not only ensure better products but also build a culture of confidence and collaboration." – Mayuresh Hajirnis Call to Action: If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your network. Follow The Tech Trek for more inspiring conversations with leaders in technology! About Our Guest: Mayuresh Hajirnis brings a wealth of experience from QA and automation engineering to his current role as Director of Engineering at Altruist. He’s passionate about fostering collaboration and championing a culture of quality across development teams.