When we think about startups, we imagine fast-moving teams, rapid iterations, and a level of agility that Big Tech could never match. But what if that assumption is wrong?
On the latest episode of Tech Teams Today, I sat down with Ken Kao, VP of Engineering at Rad AI (formerly at Meta, Airbnb, and Palantir) to challenge some of the biggest myths in engineering leadership—specifically, how Big Tech vs. Startups actually compare when it comes to speed, engineering talent, and AI’s impact on leadership.
Are Big Tech Engineers Really Better?
Ken didn’t hold back. He made a bold claim: Tier-one tech companies like Meta, Airbnb, and Google have stronger engineers, on average, than startups and tier-two companies.
This goes against the common belief that startups attract the scrappiest, most talented engineers who can “do more with less.” Ken argues that while startups have brilliant engineers, the structured training, rigorous hiring processes, and scale of Big Tech consistently create stronger technical talent.
💡 Key takeaway: According to Ken, if you took a random set of 10 engineers from Meta and 10 from a startup, the Big Tech engineers would, on average, be stronger. And yet, startup founders rarely acknowledge this.
AI is Changing Engineering Leadership—Are You Ready?
AI is automating away many traditional engineering tasks, and Ken believes bad engineering managers are about to get exposed.
For the past decade, some managers have gotten by on their ability to hire and manage org charts rather than their technical acumen. But with AI tools accelerating coding, debugging, and system optimizations, managers who don’t stay technical will struggle to lead effectively.
💡 Key takeaway: If you’re an engineering leader, stay hands-on with tech—even if you’re managing a large team. The era of “non-technical managers” in engineering is coming to an end.
The #1 Hiring Mistake Startups Keep Making
Many startup founders believe that hiring the “smartest” engineers will solve their problems. But Ken pointed out that great engineering teams aren’t just about IQ—they’re about autonomy and accountability.
Big Tech has mastered structured autonomy—teams are given clear objectives and empowered to achieve them in their own way. Meanwhile, many startups micromanage engineers or fail to set clear accountability, which slows them down despite their supposed agility.
💡 Key takeaway: If you want to build a high-performing engineering team, hire engineers who not only write great code but also understand the business impact of their work.
Final Thoughts: The Engineering Leadership Playbook for 2025
This conversation with Ken reinforced one thing: the role of engineering leaders is evolving fast.
- AI is raising the bar—leaders must stay technical.
- Big Tech isn’t as slow as you think—structured autonomy beats chaotic speed.
- The best engineers understand business goals—not just code.
If you’re an engineering leader, startup founder, or hiring manager, this episode is a must-watch. Ken’s insights challenge conventional wisdom and offer a roadmap for building world-class teams.
🎧 Listen to the full episode: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
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