Building Engineering Teams in the Age of AI: Insights with Alex Domene

Welcome to The School of Hiring! In this episode, Konstanty Sliwowski is joined by Alex Domene, former CTO of LucaNet and current Board Member of G&H Banking Software. With his extensive experience in engineering leadership and product development, Alex offers a fascinating perspective on the evolving role of engineers in today’s tech-driven world.

Together, Konstanty and Alex explore critical topics shaping the future of engineering and hiring:

• Redefining the Role of Engineers: How the modern engineer’s responsibilities have expanded in complexity and diversity, from architecture and toolchains to AI and DevOps.
• AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: Why AI should be seen as a supportive tool—helping engineers generate ideas, solve defects, and enhance productivity—rather than a replacement for human creativity and judgment.
• The School Smarts vs. Street Smarts Debate: Alex shares his take on whether technical expertise or adaptability and problem-solving skills matter more in engineering roles today.
• Effort, Output, and Impact: Inspired by McKinsey’s frameworks, the conversation highlights why focusing solely on effort misses the bigger picture of outcomes and impact in engineering teams.
• Practical AI in Engineering and Hiring: How AI is transforming the hiring process and engineering jobs, and what qualities hiring managers should prioritize in this rapidly changing landscape.

Key Takeaways from McKinsey’s Research:
Alex and Konstanty unpack insights from McKinsey’s 2023 article on engineering KPIs, including frameworks like DORA and SPACE. They discuss how metrics such as Developer Velocity Index, Contribution Analysis, and Talent Capability Score are reshaping how companies assess performance and potential.

Why You Should Listen:
This episode is essential for leaders, hiring managers, and engineers who want to understand the shifting dynamics of engineering work and build teams that thrive in an era of constant innovation and change. Whether you’re exploring AI’s role in hiring, navigating the debate on school smarts vs. street smarts, or seeking actionable strategies to future-proof your team, this conversation is packed with insights.

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About Alex Domene:
Alex Domene is a seasoned engineering leader with a wealth of experience in product design, development, and delivery. As the former CTO of LucaNet and current Board Member of G&H Banking Software, Alex is responsible for driving innovation and empowering engineering teams to excel in a competitive landscape.

About the Host, Konstanty Sliwowski:
Konstanty is the founder of The School of Hiring, dedicated to helping leaders master the art and science of hiring as a strategic advantage. With nearly 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and building high-performing teams, Konstanty offers practical insights to empower leaders to make better hiring decisions.

Follow Konstanty Sliwowski on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sliwowskik/

For more insights check out www.schoolofhiring.com and www.caissarecruitment.com/blog