Sarat Ala

Engineering Leader

San Francisco Bay Area

About

Experienced in leading high-performing engineering teams and delivering scalable, reliable, and mission-critical software solutions. My passion lies in building systems and organizations that scale—technically, operationally, and culturally. Throughout my career, I have led the development of large-scale applications, guiding teams through complex technical architectures, tight delivery timelines, and high-impact deployments. I prioritize engineering excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making to ensure that our products not only meet customer needs but also align with long-term business strategy. My leadership philosophy is grounded in empowering engineers to do their best work. I focus on cultivating strong team cultures, driving career growth, and creating environments where innovation and ownership thrive. Whether it’s launching new platforms, improving system reliability, or modernizing legacy infrastructure, I aim to deliver lasting value at every stage of the software lifecycle. I am continually evolving as a leader, with a strong interest in organizational design, strategic planning, and aligning engineering practices with company goals. My long-term ambition is to grow as an engineering leader who helps organizations consistently deliver high-impact, high-quality technology solutions at scale. I welcome opportunities to connect with other engineering leaders, share insights, and contribute to meaningful conversations about the future of technology and leadership in our industry.

Experience

  • Software Development Manager at WEX
    Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

  • Sr Software Development Manager at Intuit
    Feb 2022 - Aug 2025 · 3 yrs 7 mos

  • Software Development Manager at Autodesk
    Aug 2021 - Mar 2022 · 8 mos

  • American Tire Distributors (8 yrs 10 mos)
    • Senior Engineering Manager
      Apr 2021 - Aug 2021 · 5 mos

    • Engineering Manager
      Dec 2019 - Apr 2021 · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Digital Architect
      Jun 2019 - Dec 2019 · 7 mos

  • Amdocs ()
    • Tech Lead
      Jan 2011 - Nov 2012 · 1 yr 11 mos

      Developed and managed a team of Java web application developers Delivered day to day project management, including resources, risks, dependencies and schedule, for web technology solutions. Responsible for hiring, mentoring and developing talent. Performed requirement and system analysis, and Java web application development leadership

    • Sr SME
      Jul 2006 - Jan 2011 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      Designs and develops user interfaces to internet/intranet applications by setting expectations and features priorities throughout development life cycle; determining design methodologies and tool sets; completing programming using languages and software products; designing and conducting tests. Recommends system solutions by comparing advantages and disadvantages of custom development and purchase alternatives. Enhances organization reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.