I am a Staff Engineer & Techlead at Meta. I have 
- Mentored many senior & staff engineers and managers. 
- Designed & built multiple systems with critical focus on scalability & reliability. 
- Solved many cross team & organization misalignments with my inter-personal skills. 

I love writing about the importance of soft skills combined with stories from my 10+ years of experience. If this interests you, follow me and subscribe to my newsletter Techlead mentor.

If you are looking for guidance on navigating your career ladder, you can reach out to me.

Raviraj Achar

I am a results-driven software engineer with 7+ years of experience leading teams and building scalable systems at top-tier companies like Meta, Salesforce, and Tesla. Currently, I lead multiple work streams for Meta's Family Center product, impacting millions of users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and more.

My expertise lies in leading tech teams, strategizing roadmaps, designing and implementing scalable APIs, mentoring individuals and delivering products in fast-paced environments. I thrive at the intersection of product development and infrastructure, with a strong focus on engineering excellence and career growth.

Beyond coding, I write The Hustling Engineer, a newsletter that helps software engineers navigate their careers and grow in the tech industry. I’m also a vivid cricket fan who finds life lessons in sports analogies.

Let’s connect to discuss tech, career growth, or cricket!
📩 Reach me at: linktr.ee/hemant.pandey

Hemant Pandey

2027 is going to be my year then 💪

#softwareengineering

undefined undefined

Awarded with Google Conference and Transport scholarship to attend the Google Cloud Next 2019 workshop in San Francisco

Google Conference Scholarship

Second Topper in Science stream in 12th boards and school topper in Physics and Chemistry.

Scholar Badge Award

Second Topper in the school securing a 9.8 CGPA with perfect 10 in Maths and Science.

Scrum Master

Google Cloud Platform Fundamentals

Programing in Javscript

Introduction to Marketing

R Programming

Aptech Certified Web Developer

Google Kubernetes Engine

Introduction to R (edX 1.1)

Algorithm Design and Analysis

Analysis of Algorithms (Prof. Rezaul Chowdhary)

Artificial Intellgence (Prof. Niranjan Balasubramanium)

Computational Biology (Prof. Rob Patro)

Computer Networks

Data Mining and Warehousing

Data Science Fundamentals (Prof. Steven Skienna)

Database Management Systems

Modern Cryptography (Prof. Omkant Pandey)

Operating Systems (Prof. Erez Zadok)

Visualization (Prof. Klaus Mueller)

This project is based on Kaggle challenge which involves a dataset by Zillow and revolves around predicting the price that a particular real estate property (usually a home) will sell for. The goal is to explore the data and uncover interesting observations about the Zillow data, model the data   and   submitting   the   results   on   Kaggle.

Exploratory Data Analysis of Zillow Data in IPython

A portal to give students feedback of their coding assignments and helps professors grade students based on the test cases passed for the student's submission. Currently in the development and testing face, to be used by the university in the coming semesters.

CODELOAD

Developed such a system, which can classify online posts and comments into ’insulting’ or ‘not
insulting’ using NLP techniques and classification systems based on machine learning in Python. 
It is an application-specific projects, where we have applied the NLP and classification techniques learnt in class to solve a real world problem. Our algorithm yielded a training accuracy of and a test accuracy of 85.37%. 

We modified the hyper-parameters of the basic model using Linear SVC. We included a L2 regularization constant, and tokenized words into unigrams and bigrams. Our best accuracy obtained was 85.37% and the F1-score obtained was 0.85.


Detection of insults in social commentary using Python and NLT

The purpose of the project is to create a new system call 'mergesort' which takes two input files and sort the contents into a output    textfile. The input files and output files will be passed to the system call along with the specified flags which we will discuss lat    er. A new entry named xmergesort is made in the sys call table.


Design and Implementation of 'xmerge'​ system call in Linux Kernel

A social networking site which gives recommendation to users based on a affinity score. The details can be found in the Pulications section.

Geo Location Based Recommender System

Analysis of filtering algorithms used in Recommender Systems based on two similarity criteria - Cosine Similarity and Pearson's Correlation. Algorithms studied are :
1.) User based collaborative filtering with Cosine Similarity.
2.) User based collaborative filtering with Pearson's Coefficient.
3.) Item based collaborative filtering with Cosine Similarity.
4.) Item based collaborative filtering with Pearson's Coefficient.

Recommender Systems (Machine Learning)

Detecting the vulnerable insecure codes in the web applications in PHP and providing secure solutions to them in PHP platform. Damn Vulnerable Web Application us used for reference purposes.

Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing

The project aims to predict the box office gross sales of upcoming movies. We anticipate that the sales will depend on factors like genre, cast actors, actresses, director, movie budget etc. It would be exciting to validate our predictions on movies releasing in December, just before the project   submission.

Predicting the Box Office Gross Collection

Processing the available dataset of last 5 years of H1B visa applicants using Pandas dataframe in Python 2.7, visualizing the available information using multidimensional plots and interactive visualizations in D3 JavaScript to recognize patterns and inferences. The main goal was to create an interactive visualization platform which enables easy recognition of important information from a high dimensional large dataset. Reasoning with facts and some hypothesis testing was done to support the inferences drawn.

Visualization of H1B Visa Applicants

Visualizing PCA, MDS cosine, correlation and eigen values plots of the secified dataset in D3 JavaScript

Data Decimation and Visualization using PCA (D3 JavaScript)

Depiction of histogram and pie charts to represent the characteristics of different players using D3 Javascript

Visualisation of Data using Histogram, Pie Chart and FDA

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a Linux kernel-based system to support per-process system call vectors. Since in Linux, it is prohibited to change the global system call/vector table from a loadable module. Having different syscalls per process for different tasks can be very helpful. The system calls are modified in a such a way that they perform function which is a little different from the original system call.

There is another syscall 'clone' which is modified:
When a process is forked, it inherits the syscall_vector from its parent. The clone(2) syscall which is provided a new flag which decides whether the child would inherit the syscall vector of its child or not. If the flag is -1 it inherits its parent vector. If it is 1 or 2 then it takes the vectors 1 or 2 respectively.

A ioctl() is implemented which changes the syscall vector used by a running process id. We have tried to handle all the race conditions and implemented the necessary locks and also passes the checkpatch.pl script which makes sure that the code is written as per the standards.



System to support per process system call vectors

The project supplements the RapClust pipeline to visualize fragmented equivalence classes using
a web GUI interface. It includes incorporating optimizations to process thousands of nodes and
display it using multi-level clustering. Implemented using Sigma graphical library and NodeJS.

Visualising equivalence classes using ambiguity graph

Senior Software Engineer | Ex - Meta, Salesforce, Tesla | Featured on Business Insider and Times Square

TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language)

AMCAT

A software engineer shares the résumé he's used since college that got him a $500,000 job at Meta — plus offers at TikTok and LinkedIn

Subscribe to Newsletter

1:1 Mentorship

Connect with me on other platforms

Open source contributor for HospitalRun project.

Yamuna Cleanliness Program.
District Leadership Assembly Program.
Interaction with youth for creating awareness.


Helping Software Engineers 2X their compensation | Tech Lead | Ex - Meta, Salesforce, Tesla | Featured on Business Insider and Times Square

A small but important lesson I’ve learned while building apps with AI 👇

Earlier, I was jumping straight to tools like Lovable, Bolt, Replit, etc.


I used to try to design + build everything in one go.

It works for small projects or MVP kind of work


But it’s rarely the best way to launch something solid

For my next project, this is what worked better for me

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 UX Pilot AI  
Not for “screens”, but for *real design thinking*.

Why?
- Designs are consistent, not generic
- UX actually makes sense end-to-end
- Output feels polished, not rushed
- Cheaper and much faster iterations

You can explore flows, tweak layouts, and get clarity before writing a single line of code


𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗫
This is what I used to do with my projects at Meta, where implementation mostly begins when design is complete

Cursor gives you:

- Full flexibility in architecture
- Clean control over logic and edge cases
- Less rework because the product is already thought through

Design first. Code second

AI tools are powerful, but order matters

When you separate UX clarity from coding speed, launches become cleaner and faster.

I’ll be sharing a demo video next how I used it to build designs

Check here:
https://lnkd.in/gKyfRsNz

Curious how other devs are structuring their AI-first workflows

#uxpilot #coding

Brand partnership • Helping Software Engineers 2X their compensation | Tech Lead | Ex - Meta, Salesforce, Tesla | Featured on Business Insider and Times Square

If tech layoffs continue like this, we’ll have negative headcount by 2028

#layoffs

A lot of folks on visa in the US cannot do a lot of basic things:

•	cannot monetise their side hustles

•	cannot openly criticise the government (visa renewals and background checks are real)

•	cannot freely change jobs, one layoff can turn your life upside down

•	cannot start a proper business or build something independently

•	cannot travel back home in emergencies without worrying about stamping and re-entry

If you feel people there are chilling and living the “best life”,

this is the dream being sold to you on social media
Reality is not that easy and it is a struggle


They may not be struggling with pollution and AQI but these are important factors too which you do not even know till you are an immigrant

I recently got a fitness ring to track key body metrics.

I already had an Apple Watch, but it had two limitations for me:
1.	I couldn’t wear any other watch
2.	It needed daily charging

So I decided to invest in a fitness ring and went with FITTR , a brand I already trust

I’ve been using Fittr for 6 years now and even went through a full transformation under one of their coaches. I’ve also been following Jitendra Chouksey even before Fittr

So the choice was easy

I’ve been using it for a week now and just charged after 7 days, atleast charging is sorted


These are the metrics I’m now tracking and trying to optimise every week:
•	Blood Oxygen
•	Resting Heart Rate
•	Stress Levels

I work ~12 hours a day on average and often take my health for granted.

But one simple belief I follow:
If you can’t track it, you can’t improve it.

I’ll be sharing the improvements and learnings through the year.

Invest in your well-being.
Get a tracker, a watch, a ring, whatever works for you

Just start taking those small steps

No alternative text description for this image

Before you get excited about cheaper luxury cars from the EU, 
let me play the devil’s advocate

Most people assume the India–EU FTA will make Mercedes, BMW, and Audi much cheaper in India.

This is what our media and crators have been saying for views too


Reality check:

Over 90% of the cars these brands sell here are already manufactured or assembled in India.
Which means import duties don’t apply to them in the first place

So the FTA won’t move the needle for the majority of models you see on the road

Only a small set of fully imported (CBU) cars will actually fall under the reduced tariff bracket and see any meaningful price impact

I lost my second grandparent earlier this week
I lost my paternal grandpa when I was 15

And now, my maternal grandpa

He was in his 80s
Fit. Active. No major illness
A silent heart attack. And he was gone

We didn’t talk often
Maybe 5–6 times a year on birthdays, festivals and anniversaries but he used to call my mom daily and take daily updates of all members

Every summer, I used to visit Ranchi from Delhi, my Naani house
The impact he had on me was massive
He was a deeply righteous man
Quiet. Grounded. Strong values

When it comes to these traits, I am not even 1% but he did try his best to teach these to all his grandchildren

He was the kind of person whose life teaches more than words ever could

Adulting teaches you many things
But the hardest lesson is
- Watching your loved ones leave and realizing how little is actually in your control


The stress, the overthinking and the unnecessary seriousness I attach to my life felt too small when my dad called to inform
These moments strip away all the noise

They remind you to:
- Live fully
- Say things you postpone
- Not take time or people for granted

Because nothing is promised
Not even tomorrow

I hope he rests in peace 🤍

Hug your people a little tighter today from my side

My friend asked me to not invest a single penny in FD because it gives 7-8% interest

He works at Salesforce and has been holding his company stocks since last 5 years

Google recruiters have the easiest job
Google’s offer acceptance rate is >90%.

That means almost all candidates who get an offer end up saying yes

Google is not the paymaster
Many companies like Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and even startups can match or exceed the compensation

So why does Google still convert so well?

1.	Strong brand pull
For many engineers, Google is a dream company from college days. Cracking a Google interview feels like a badge of honor. When the offer finally comes, it carries emotional value, not just financial value. That aspiration built over years makes the decision easier


2.	Designed around employees
Google focuses a lot on making daily work life smooth. Good food, flexible work, wellness support, great offices, and strong internal tools. These are not just “perks”. They remove small frictions and let people focus on work and personal life with less stress


3.	Feeling of long-term stability
An offer from Google feels safe. The company is stable, has strong internal mobility, and a reputation for long careers. People do not think of it as a 1–2 year stop. They see it as a place to grow for the long run


4.	Career signaling
Having Google on your resume opens doors everywhere. Even if someone plans to move later, they know this brand will compound their career value


This combination makes it easy for many candidates to say yes. I’ve known folks even getting a paycut to join Google

It makes the HR job easier if the candidate is already a fan

RIP my ex-favorite platform 🙃

#softwareengineering

Call me an irrational optimist or a weirdo, but I can’t see myself settling anywhere other than India

Not because India is perfect
No country is

In fact, we probably have bigger problems than most countries

We have Infrastructure gaps, Pollution, Bureaucracy and Chaos.

Yet, every time I travel abroad, I always start to miss this country after a week

For the first few days, everything feels great
There are cleaner roads, quite cafes, smooth systems and a better setting

But then, there is a silence and monotony in life 

I start to miss the
- The chaos
- The random conversations
- The late-night coffee on road side
- The ease of getting things done
- The social life
- The feeling that life is happening around you, not in silence


Most of all, I miss the feeling of home


There is a certain energy in India that is hard to explain and maybe it it is just ME

It is imperfect, loud, emotional, messy and alive

I criticize systems in India publicly but I do feel that
- You can criticize the country and still love it deeply
You can want it to improve and still choose it every time

I am very bullish on the growth trajectory of India and so excited to learn and build here. Best time to be here


Happy Republic Day to All 🇮🇳
Let’s build a better nation together

Amid all the layoffs, brutal job market snd trade wars, one good thing is that Indian tech eco-system is expanding

32,000 jobs were added in 2025 by FAAMNG companies, that’s a 18% YOY growth

There is an ongoing trend of cutting costs by reducing headcount in US and hiring in India where the same talent costs 1/3rd

Almost all big companies are opening new offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi NCR

If India can provide a good ecosystem, infra and support, it will be a great opportunity for the tech talent

My dream in college was to become a consultant at McKinsey

I had the same plan as half the people around me:

- Prepare for CAT.
- Score 99+ (hello, GEM)
- Get into IIM BLACKI
- Become a consultant

A consultant’s life looked cool
Travel every week, wear sharp clothes, sit in fancy meeting rooms, talk to CEOs, make good money
All boxes checked ✅

Also, back then, I wasn’t even a good coder
And honestly, I had no interest in coding at all


None of this happened
Because God had better plans

Fast forward today, the thought of constant travel for work actually gives me nightmares. So yeah, I’m really glad I didn’t become a consultant

Somewhere along the way, I slowly started liking tech. Now I am borderline obsessed over it

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who gets excited about tech, systems and code
But here we are

Turns out I’m a bit of a NERD sometimes

And when I connect the dots, that’s exactly where I was supposed to end up

Imagine grinding endlessly for 6 months and getting laid off in 2 months

Came across this post on Reddit and it is not just one story, you’ll see different versions of this story around you

There is no ‘safe job’ and no ‘finish line’

Layoffs without any reason is the new norm and the earlier we realize it, the better it is for us to plan

Always be ready for interviews and build a side hustle

#layoffs

graphical user interface, text, application, email

Life of a senior+ software engineer in tech 🙃

#softwareengineering

Strong muscles are the new status symbol in Gen-Z

Not a luxury watch
Not a fancy car
Not a big brand logo

It is actually a fit body which is making the headlines


A fit body quietly shows:
• Consistency
You showed up to the gym for months, not just once

• Money
Good food, protein, gym, recovery all cost bucks

• Looks
Clothes fit better. You stand taller

• Discipline
You say no to junk and laziness

• Self-respect
You care about your health and future



A ₹500 T-shirt on a toned body is better than loose muscles in a ₹50,000 LV shirt

This is not my opinion, multiple researches are hinting this

A strong body speaks every day

My feed is full of “I’m leaving Meta due to layoffs” posts

Almost all of them sound very grateful and positive

I’ve been through layoffs before, and honestly, it hurts
It’s stressful, confusing and not a good experience


I get that people don’t want to burn bridges
But being polite doesn’t mean you have to fake happiness

You can be respectful and still be real

At the end of the day, a job is a business deal
When it ends, you don’t owe the company gratitude


Best wishes for folks who lost their jobs. There are better things waiting for you

Evolution in Software Engineering 🙃

#softwareengineering

graphical user interface, text, application

We can all agree that most of us  hates LeetCode and secretly wishes it would disappear

Yet it has been here, ruling tech interviews like a king (a very brutal king) 🙃

#interviews

Hot take:
Job interviews are not a skill game
They’re a numbers game

You can grind LeetCode for 12 months
You can memorize every system design pattern
You can rehearse perfect answers

And still walk away with nothing

Because interviews aren’t fair
They’re inconsistent, subjective and noisy

One interviewer wants depth
Another wants speed
Another just didn’t like your explanation style

Most times you won’t even know why you failed


The people who land great jobs don’t wait to feel “ready”

They apply often
They fail a lot and frequently

Rejection isn’t a signal to stop
Think is it as bad luck, take learnings and move on

If you’re just doing 5 interviews and calling the market “bad”
you’re playing the game wrong

Increase your surface area for luck by giving more interviews and applying like a crazy

Take uncomfortable shots
Let probability do its job

Remember that volume wins

taplio

The Battle

Raviraj Achar

Hemant Pandey

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreHemant Pandey's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Raviraj Achar

Hemant Pandey

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Hemant Pandey's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreHemant Pandey's LinkedIn Performance