Engineering Insights With Rachel Zhao (Airbnb Head of Engineering)
Every great engineering career starts with a spark, but it needs to be built on clarity, courage, and the right guidance at the right time.
In this course, Rachel Zhao, Head of Engineering at Airbnb and former Director of Engineering at Yelp, opens up about the real journey behind her remarkable career, from studying Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo to leading teams at two of the most beloved tech companies in the world. Her story is proof that with the right mindset and the right tools, you can go further than you ever imagined.
Whether you're just starting out and trying to find your footing, a mid-level engineer ready to break through to the next level, or a woman in tech looking for a mentor who truly gets it, this course was made for you.
Rachel doesn't just inspire. She equips. You'll walk away knowing exactly what separates senior engineers from staff engineers, what mistakes to avoid before they cost you years of progress, and how to show up, stand out, and grow into the kind of engineering leader others look up to.
Rachel Zhao is a seasoned engineering leader with over 14 years of experience driving technical excellence at some of the world's most recognized technology companies. She currently serves as Director of Engineering at Airbnb, a role she has held for nearly six years, where she leads engineering teams in building and scaling products used by millions of people globally. Prior to Airbnb, Rachel spent close to nine years as Director of Engineering at Yelp, where she honed her expertise in building high-performing teams and delivering complex, large-scale software systems.
Rachel holds a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering from the University of Waterloo, where she graduated in 2011. Her strong academic foundation, combined with her extensive industry experience, has made her a respected voice in the engineering leadership community.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelzhao/
