The DevLab Podcast

What does it actually take to build technology people can rely on? In this episode of DevLab, Phil sits down with three people from BAE Systems who all came into tech through very different routes and are now doing very different things. Johanna started out wanting to be a primatologist. Davinder got her first computer from her uncle at 14 and has been writing code ever since. Emma came from sport...

Fauzia didn't plan to go into tech. She wanted to be a doctor. When Afghanistan's university entrance exam placed her in computer science instead, she had no laptop, no coding experience, and no clear idea of what she'd signed up for. Then the pandemic hit. Then in 2021, everything changed again. Women were told they could no longer continue their studies. In this episode of the Dev...

How do you secure an organisation the size of Tesco? In this DevLab episode, we’re joined by Harry McLaren, Head of Cyber Defence, and Jason Larkin, Head of Platform Security Architecture at Tesco, to unpack how modern security works at real scale. They talk through identity becoming the new perimeter, why attackers are increasingly “logging in, not breaking in”, and how architecture and cyber def...

AI is moving fast. In legal tech, getting it wrong isn’t an option. In this DevLab podcast episode, we’re joined by Min Chen, Senior Vice President & Chief AI Officer, and Serena Wellen, Vice President of Product Management at LexisNexis. They share how AI is built in a high-stakes domain where trust and accuracy matter every day. From early NLP systems to modern GenAI, the conversation covers...

Buying a home isn't a small decision. It's often the largest financial choice someone will make. So what does it take to build AI that people can actually trust in that moment? Kelsey Juraschka, Principal Machine Learning Engineer at Zillow, shares how her team is designing AI systems that support users from search to keys in hand. We get into: • What it really means to test non-determin...

Elizabeth Ferrao splits her time between product research and launching new products at C Spire. She started in engineering, moved into product, and now spends her days turning real customer conversations into ideas that actually matter. In this episode, we get into: ✨ Why fast prototyping means nothing if you’re solving the wrong problem 🤖 The gap between what AI can automate and what only huma...

What does it take to build a tech career at M&S? In this DevLab episode, Safira Adam, who leads Digital & Technology Service Management at M&S, shares what it’s really like to run technology at national scale. We talk about leadership under pressure, keeping things running for millions, and how culture and service management shape the work behind the scenes. We also dig into M&S’s...

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.  Th...

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 i...

🌍 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...

🚀 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:...

💻 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...

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 c...

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 retail...

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...

 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  T...

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...

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.  💭 Imposte...

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.  Dis...

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...

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 tr...

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...

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...

🔐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 buil...

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. A...