Alex Ponomarev, founder of Volt and author of the Thriving in Engineering Substack, joins host Mark Wormgoor to decode the reality of the AI talent gap. They explore what it takes to build AI-native engineering teams and how the role of the tech leader is fundamentally changing. Alex shares his personal transition from an overwhelmed engineering manager back to a hands-on contributor, highlighting how modern coding assistants allow leaders to analyze massive codebases quickly.

The conversation dives deep into the mindset shift required for modern tech executives. Listeners will learn why managers must stop delegating from afar and instead get inside the development process by actively experimenting with new AI tools. Alex breaks down how automating mechanical tasks like meeting summaries can free up limited time for actual strategic leadership and team building.

Finally, they tackle the future of the engineering workforce and career progression. Discover why junior engineers are more crucial than ever for bringing fresh perspectives and new experimental energy to your team. The episode also highlights why soft skills and end-to-end "agency" are the most critical traits for developers navigating this rapid technological shift.

About Alex

Alex Ponomarev is the founder and CEO of Volt, with 20+ years building and scaling global technology companies. He leads teams building AI-native intelligence layers for venture capital firms. His focus is bridging human expertise with AI to improve decision-making and performance. Through his publication Thriving in Engineering, he shares practical frameworks that help engineering leaders navigate complexity and build high-performing teams.

Chapters

00:00 Coding in 2026

08:56 Utilizing Your Time!

13:32 Ad

14:04 The Truth about AI Agents

16:22 Handling Multiple Teams

17:56 Keeping Up With Modern Technology!

23:01 What Skill Should You Develop?

28:10 Ad

28:21 The Future of Engineering Managers

32:04 Growing in Complexity

Where to find Alex

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexponomarev/