Ever wondered what it’s like to go from founding startups to leading engineering at one of the UK’s biggest retailers? In this new DevLab episode, Ben Phillips, Engineering Chapter Lead at M&S, joins Mark Chaffey, CEO at hackajob, to talk about building technology at a scale few engineers ever get to experience. It’s also a place where teams still find space to experiment, learn and grow. They dive into culture, curiosity and what it really takes to build products that milli...

Cybersecurity is as much about culture and communication as it is about code 🌍🔐 In this DevLab episode, BAE Systems’ Berenike explores the human side of cyber and why tech skills alone are not enough. Here are 3 big themes we cover: ⚡ Beyond code: Relationships, trust and cultural intelligence are just as critical as technical tools 🛡️ Emerging threats: From operational technology in critical infrastructure to the basics we are still getting wrong 🤖 AI hype vs reality: The bigger risk is ov...

🌍 AI is reshaping everything, but how do you build tech that is not just powerful but also fair and inclusive? In our latest DevLab episode, we sit down with Petra Abbam (Principal Responsible AI Manager) and Philip Robinson (Head of Performance & Co-Chair of Embrace) from the BBC. Together, they share: ✨ How the BBC is embedding ethics into AI ✨ Why generalists thrive in fast-changing tech environments ✨ A fresh take on diversity: commonality as strength, diversity as resilience ✨ What c...

🚀 No straight lines. No perfect plans. Just real women, building real careers in tech. In our latest DevLab episode, we sat down with Kristy, Henrietta and Lila from Leonardo: three engineers working across aerospace, manufacturing and AI. Each of them took a completely different route into tech. Think psychology degrees, apprenticeships, career pivots and a whole lot of self-teaching. We talked: 👀 Visibility and role models in STEM 🤖 Innovation in AI, aerospace and defence 💬 Imposter syndr...

💻 From historic cottages to high-tech code, Jen's journey into software engineering at BAE Systems is anything but typical. In this new episode of DevLab, Jen shares: ⚙️ How she pivoted from history and heritage to tech ✅ What it’s really like to break into engineering through a bootcamp 👩‍💻 Her thoughts on AI, imposter syndrome and why we need more women in the room A candid, motivating look at what it takes to carve out a new path in tech. Listen now. What would you like us to talk about...

In this episode of DevLab, Adam Davis, Senior Systems Development Manager at bet365, shares insights on: 🔧 Why bet365 embraced Go and how it’s transformed scalability and system reliability ⚡ The toughest challenges and biggest wins moving from .NET monoliths to microservices 👥 How to build strong software teams and spot future leaders during big tech shifts Plus, Adam opens up on nurturing culture, supporting career growth, and what’s next for tech at bet365.✨ Press play to hear ...

What does it take to go from writing code to leading customer conversations at scale? Josh Hicks, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Jumpmind, joins us to talk: 🚀 Scaling to 70K databases and 20M changes/hour 🌧️ When data goes sideways (and how to fix it) 🔁 How to keep engineers engaged as companies grow 💼 What technical sales *actually* looks like From building SymmetricDS to supporting retailers like Petco and Build-A-Bear, Josh has done it all, and still finds time to write code. If yo...

Ever wondered how AI and tech innovation are transforming healthcare from the inside? Meet Charlotte Trott, Senior Program Manager, and Adrian Samuel, Senior AI & ML Platform Engineer, both driving real change at GSK’s Onyx team. In this episode, they share: Their unique career journeys and how they blend science, tech & talent to tackle global health challenges The impact of generative AI in speeding up drug discovery Honest advice on collaboration, career growth, and...

How do you break into product if you didn’t start in tech? In this episode of DevLab, we chat with Martin Sheeran (Director of Digital Product), Lauren Ronan (Digital Product Manager), and Stacey Hudson (Digital Talent Lead) from N Brown (read more about N Brown here: https://hackajob.com/company/n-brown-group). We cover: Non-linear career paths in tech Why mentorship is more than a buzzword The real skills that matter in digital product teams What hiring managers...

From teacher to Army officer to cyber leader — Mike Petty, ACTP CNO Technical Director at ManTech, has seen the security landscape change a lot. In this episode, we dig into: 🔐 How cybersecurity moved from niche to non-negotiable 🤖 AI’s impact (and why we need to stop sleepwalking into risk) 💡 What orgs and individuals really need to stay ahead Packed with sharp insights, practical advice, and a few stories that might just change how you think about breaking into cyber...

In this episode of DevLab, we chat with Athena, Developer and Instructional Engineer at ManTech, about breaking into cybersecurity, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why continuous learning is the key to success in tech. Key takeaways: 💡 AI is changing cybersecurity—both as a tool and a threat. 🔓 Cyber threats evolve constantly, and staying ahead takes curiosity and adaptability. 💭 Imposter syndrome? Everyone feels it. The key is to take that first step. If you’r...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlene and Stephen from Leonardo. Charlene shares her journey from Aircraft Technician in the military to Helicopter Mechanical Instructor, finding the same sense of belonging at Leonardo. Stephen, now an Engineering Capability Lead, reflects on how he applies the skills gained in the military to his current role and fosters collaboration across divisions. Discover how career development programs empower employees to grow and thrive in the tech ...

We explore the evolving landscape of tech talent hiring in an AI-driven world 🤖 Mark Chaffey (CEO), Sam Berthoud (VP of Talent Solutions), and special guest Hung Lee (Founder, Recruiting Brainfood), explore the challenges of sourcing qualified candidates amidst market volatility and rising demand for flexibility. They’ll discuss: 📈 The hiring trends of 2024, from fluctuating demand to navigating the surge in AI-driven auto-apply tools. 👤 Why identifying and hiring “qualified candidates” ha...

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at the forefront of national security and technology? In this episode of DevLab, we’re joined by Isabela, Jordie, and Charlotte from BAE Systems, all graduates of the National Security Cyber Accelerator. They share how this unique program is shaping careers, fostering innovation, and driving diversity in tech. Hear about: · The program’s unique approach to training the next generation of tech talent. · Balancing studies and work, and the support that...

Welcome to this week’s episode of DevLab brought to you by hackajob! This time, we’re diving into how tech is transforming healthcare with two incredible guests from GSK: Nick, VP - Onyx Research Data Tech and Yan, Senior Director - Onyx Product Management. Nick shares how GSK’s Onyx Research Data Tech organization has scaled from 23 to 156 people under his leadership, driving innovation through a cloud-first and AI-integrated approach. Yan reflects on the unique blend of startup energy and ...

Check out the latest episode of DevLab, hosted by hackajob's very own CEO, Mark Chaffey. In this fascinating conversation, Mark chats with Dr Kristen Summers, VP and Technical Fellow leading ManTech’s new data and AI practice.✨ Kristen shares how she has navigated unique challenges as the only woman in the room, embraced career transitions, and shaped AI strategies.📈 Learn how ManTech’s early adoption of generative AI is shaping its cutting-edge approach to innovation and transforming client ...

🔐Cybersecurity is more than firewalls and encryption—it's about staying ahead of evolving threats and protecting what matters most.🌱In this episode of DevLab, we’re joined by MK, Principal Cyber Security Consultant at Capco, who shares her journey into the field, the strategic role of cybersecurity in business, and how we can make the industry more inclusive and diverse.Curious about building a safer, more inclusive digital future? This episode is a must-listen! 🎧About CapcoCapco, a Wipro com...

Switching industries. Embracing new challenges. Shaping the future of tech.In this episode of DevLab, we explore the unconventional career journey of Stephen, Senior Digital Transformation Business Analysis Practitioner at BAE Systems.Learn how BAE Systems supports career transitions and empowers employees to grow, whether advancing in their current roles or branching into entirely new areas.About BAE SystemsAt BAE Systems, we help our customers to stay a step ahead when protecting people and...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Meghan, Arielle, and Michelle, the powerhouse leaders behind Comcast's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in technology—BENgineers, Women in Tech, and My Abilities Tech. Learn how they’re driving inclusion and creating impact. What You’ll Discover: How ERGs like BENgineers, Women in Tech, and My Abilities are making a differenceThe impact of advocating for underrepresented communities Personal growth through ERG advocacyTune in for a thou...

🌱Join us for an insightful conversation with experts from Tesco as we explore their unique career journeys, innovation in tech, and the future of digital growth. 🎧 In this episode: Sadie, Lead Optimisation Manager, discusses the power of experimentation and its role in driving growth and innovation at Tesco.Elyssa, Product Analytics Manager, shares how data drives product innovation and how Tesco leverages personalisation to enhance customer experiences.Alisha, Head of Security Enga...