Our Pretty Brilliant Team includes our Engineering Manager, Xuan. In a recent interview, Xuan shared valuable insights into her journey as an Engineering Manager, focusing on the strategies she believes are most effective in encouraging women to pursue careers in the tech industry. She also discussed the key inspirations that motivate her and reflected on the pivotal experiences in her career that guided her to join Pretty Technical. 

Could you share some insights into your background and your role as Engineering Manager?
I began my career as a Java developer in a sports betting company, gaining valuable insights into the intricate technical challenges of real-time betting platforms. Subsequently, I transitioned into a team lead role at a major UK iGaming operator, where I led an agile team of six. To further broaden my knowledge and skills, I moved into the banking and finance sector, continuing to lead software development teams. As an Engineering Manager, I aspire to be a servant leader, empowering my team to take ownership of their work and removing any obstacles they encounter.

What key lessons have you gained in your role since joining Pretty Technical?
I’ve had the exciting opportunity to delve into GoLang, a paradigm shift from the OOP languages like Java I’m accustomed to. Learning the fundamentals of GoLang has provided a fresh perspective on concurrency. Pretty Technical is my first B2B experience, and a key aspect of my role is bridging the gap between development teams and clients. This has honed my ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences. I relish the daily opportunities to refine my communication skills.

Pretty Technical is a strong advocate for promoting diversity and inclusivity across the workforce in the tech and gaming industries. What strategies or initiatives do you believe are most effective in promoting inclusivity across the workforce and encouraging women to pursue technical roles?
Diversity and inclusivity is a subject I’m passionate about. In my experience, the most successful companies in DEI foster organic growth in diversity. Role models play a crucial role. Our female CEO at PT is a huge inspiration for me. I’ve worked in organisations where enforced policies aimed to address underrepresentation of female engineers, but I believe these don’t tackle the root issue. To encourage more women into tech careers, we need to educate young girls about the diverse roles available within the industry and what a tech career actually looks like.

Who has been your greatest inspiration in striving to be your best self?
My father’s unwavering dedication to his work was a constant inspiration throughout my childhood. His strong work ethic left an enduring impression on me, shaping my own drive and ambition. Becoming a mother made me realise the immense impact my parents’ dedication to my education has had on my life. It ignited a fierce desire to create a brighter future for my son, propelling me into a continuous learning journey. 

Can you highlight some experiences from your past that have significantly influenced your path to Pretty Technical?
After being in a manager position for a while, I realised that the challenges I faced were more strategic than technical. The immense satisfaction of leading a team that delivers high-quality software for our customers solidified my decision to pursue a management path.

I learned that a corporate setting isn’t the best fit for me. Additionally, the outdated technology stack meant there were limited opportunities for professional growth in my field. While working in a different industry has been challenging, it has also broadened my perspective and made me more resilient and adaptable. I returned to the iGaming industry because I appreciate its dynamic and fast-paced nature. I thrive in environments where I can make a significant contribution.

If you’d like to work with Xuan and our team why not take a look at our Careers page and send an email to [email protected]. If you’d like to find out more about Pretty Technical products and services please use our Contact Form.