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Join a trusted community of engineers

Our fellows are aspiring engineering leaders and ambitious technical managers at world-class organizations. They come from diverse backgrounds and they all share a strong spirit of service.

Wellington Johnson
Wellington Johnson
Software Engineer
Steven Schmatz
Steven Schmatz
Engineering Lead
Clifford Fajardo
Clifford Fajardo
Senior Software Engineer
Ryan Barner
Ryan Barner
Software Engineer
Evey Ataide
Evey Ataide
Engineering Manager
Mike Rodriguez
Mike Rodriguez
Director of Platform Security
Ashley Tolbert
Ashley Tolbert
Senior Security Engineer
Jennifer Uviña
Jennifer Uviña
Software Engineer
Frances Coronel
Frances Coronel
Software Engineer
Francisco Javier Arceo
Francisco Javier Arceo
Tech Lead Manager
Tiffany Ho
Tiffany Ho
Software Engineer II
Gilbert Gonzales
Gilbert Gonzales
Senior Core Engineer
Melisa Im
Melisa Im
Software Engineer III
Marvin Guerra
Marvin Guerra
Engineering Manager
Kedasha Kerr
Kedasha Kerr
Developer Advocate

Unparalleled access to the On Deck network

Get direct access to exciting early-stage startups for advisory opportunities, and a curated community of world-class leaders to help find solutions to your everyday professional challenges

Curated connections with peers, and future collaborators

10x your network with curated 1:1 connections with like-minded peers, and mentorship matchmaking with engineering leaders who have been there and done that. We do the hard work for you.

Absolute discretion and confidentiality

Join a community where you can learn, grow, and form lasting relationships through shared experiences.

Here's why fellows are excited about On Deck Engineering

Francisco Javier Arceo
Francisco Javier Arceo
Technical Lead Manager, Fast
ODF4

The fellowship is interesting to me because it's an opportunity to learn from other bright and talented engineers in different industries. There is so much variance in the technologies different industry practitioners use and how they approach solving their respective problems so learning from others is an exciting and unique opportunity. It's also a great opportunity to collaborate with other leaders about the future of software and technology.

Melisa Im
Melisa Im
Software Engineer, Adobe
ODF4

At the beginning of the year I set the intention to pursue leadership development opportunities. ODE came at the right time for collaborating, networking, and knowledge sharing with fellow software engineers across the industry. You don't know what you don't know, so I am excited to find my gaps (in knowledge, awareness, and scope) and level up.

Clifford Fajardo
Clifford Fajardo
Senior Software Engineer, LinkedIn
ODF4

In today's fast and complex world, it's important that we band together to grow and learn from each other. I wanted to be a part of ODE because I know there is power in the wisdom of crowds, surrounding yourself & contributing to an enthusiastic community of technical leaders.

Gilbert Gonzales
Gilbert Gonzales
Senior Core Engineer, Sledgehammer Games
ODF4

Having worked in tech professionally for nearly a decade I look forward to opportunities that foster further growth of myself and others. Tech is always changing and with it we must evolve in knowledge, leadership and mentoring and I look forward to the pursuit of these through a fellowship.

Wellington Johnson
Wellington Johnson
Software Engineer, Teamshares
ODF4

What got me initially interested in the fellowship was the opportunity to hear from leaders within the tech industry on how they got to where they are and how they view and practice leadership within their own organizations. I'm also excited about the opportunity to be able to network and connect with mid-level and more senior engineers as they take their next steps in their career with the same mindset of developing their leadership skill set. Being able to share ideas with individuals who have the same goals in mind career wise will strengthen one another's ability to think from different perspectives.

Evey Ataide
Evey Ataide
Engineering Manager, Twitter
ODF4

I'm excited to build a network of peers where we can help each other and our teams grow. As a newer manager, I'm especially looking forward to learning from the diverse perspectives and experiences within the group.

Jennifer Uviña
Jennifer Uviña
Software Engineer, Pinterest
ODF4

I’ve spent a lot of time helping early career engineers get up to speed with the industry the best I know how, but not a lot exists for established engineers. On Deck is giving me a platform to answer “what’s next”, and have a group of like minded peers to grow and learn from.

Mike Rodriguez
Mike Rodriguez
Director of Platform Security, Tealium
ODF4

Engineering leadership comes in all shapes and sizes and unfortunately there isn't a "one size fits all" way to learn to be an effective leader. I'm hopeful that we explore more than just technical acumen as it relates to engineering leadership. I am excited that ODE will introduce me to many great individuals who are all striving to learn and grow as engineering leaders, like myself.

Frances Coronel
Frances Coronel
Software Engineer, Byteboard
ODF4

This fellowship track is exciting for me because now more than ever, it’s clear that much of the world is dependent on technology. I’ve had the opportunity to grow as an engineer at rapidly growing and innovative companies. But technical aptitude alone isn’t enough and I’ve hit a point in my career where I’m eager to learn how to more effectively uplift and empower engineers on my team in order to step up and become a leader myself. I want to make a career out of knowledge sharing, mentoring, and helping others recognize and cultivate their strengths.

Tiffany Ho
Tiffany Ho
Software Engineer II, Marqeta
ODF4

As someone who only has experience from one company, I have a very limited scope of engineering and am eager to branch out and learn more. I am interested in the opportunity to learn from and connect with different engineers of diverse backgrounds and experiences. I am also looking forward to everything this fellowship has to offer, from the various learning and development resources to the supportive community itself.

Ryan Barner
Ryan Barner
Software Engineer, Lyft
ODF4

I want to take advantage of every learning opportunity to advance my career in this industry. I aspire to do big things in tech and need the tutelage of folks in and out of my current job who have already done some of them.  The ability to connect with other fellows is also appealing as there is a comparable amount of wisdom to gain from peer connections as that of those above me.  I am excited to be challenged by the learning modules.  As someone who identifies with demographics traditionally excluded from tech, I am grateful to programs such as this that are righting the wrongs and carving a path for a better future for all in this industry. I plan to continue being a conduit for change as well, so learning how to mentor by receiving great mentorship is appealing.

Join specialized tracks led by the best in the industry

Level up your knowledge, skills, and confidence as a engineer through education modules focused on specific learning outcomes taught by seasoned industry executives.

Rising Tech Lead

For early-career engineers who want to break into management roles, and rising managers who are beginning to scale teams and projects
  • Developing your leadership style
  • Professional communications
  • Interviewing and assessing talent
  • Gain confidence in salary and equity negotiation
  • Being a great mentor
  • Defining project strategy

Engineering Leadership

For Engineering Managers and Directors of Engineering looking to accelerate their path to senior leadership
  • Developing your leadership style
  • Strategic communication
  • Operating your team
  • Performance management
  • Recruiting and hiring
  • Resource planning

Who should apply?

On Deck Engineering is for ambitious engineers looking to build their leadership toolkit, accelerate their careers, and tap into an inspirational community.

ODE is perfect for you if…
01
You’re preparing to, or actively leading teams or projects at scale.
02
You’re looking for a community of tech leaders for guidance, mentorship and thought-provoking advice.
03
You’re looking to balance your deep technical skills with the interpersonal and communication skills that are necessary for leadership.
ODE is not a fit if…
01
You’re primarily interested in building technical skills in your discipline.
02
You’re between roles and looking for interview prep or career coaching.
03
You’ve just begun your career as a software engineer and are not yet ready to lead projects or teams.

Explore other On Deck Programs

Learn more
Signature Session

Lessons on Leadership

As an ODE fellow, you'll have the opportunity to join On Deck CTO, Andreas Klinger and Author and Engineering Leader, Michael Lopp, for a discussion on technical leadership and common pitfalls for new managers.
Speaker
Michael Lopp
Engineering Leader & Author of Managing Humans
Host
Andreas Klinger
Chief Technology Officer @ On Deck

Develop your engineering leadership toolkit and stay on top of industry best practices

Scale up your career and continuously refresh your knowledge on managing engineers, stakeholders and teams via live sessions and fireside chats with incredible guests and an extensive library of content.

Practical learning opportunities

Regularly expand your knowledge on a variety of in-demand and relevant topics to inform your decisions, and meaningfully grow your career

High-signal sessions with industry’s best

Join intimate deep dives and fireside sessions with top guests

Ever-growing library of content

Enjoy ongoing access to a database of recorded sessions so you can learn on your own schedule
Apply Today
Delivering Impact
Karan Gupta
CTO
,
Shift
Lessons on Leadership
Michael Lopp
Engineering Leader & Author of Managing Humans
,
Creating Equitable Tech Interviews
Jennifer Konikowski
Senior Software Engineer
,
Splice
Written Communication for Leaders
Kristal Soman
Program Director, ODE
,
On Deck

Everything you need to accelerate your career for years to come

On Deck Engineering is a lifelong community with a 4-week immersive onboarding to help you build lasting relationships from Day 1.

Application Process
Fill out the application form to be considered for the On Deck Engineering Membership
We review each application, putting special emphasis on our core values
Successful candidates will be invited to an interview with the Program Team
4-Week Onboarding
Welcome aboard! The next 4 weeks are an opportunity to get immersed in the community and learn how to navigate On Deck to achieve your goals for the years ahead!
Attend kick-off and orientation sessions
Meet up with your curated connections
Focus on specific learning outcomes with deep-dive educational modules
Join community mixers and build meaningful connections with your On Deck Engineering tribe

Lifelong Community

Onboarding is just the beginning! After orientation, you'll continue to benefit from ongoing access to everything your membership has to offer:
Educational Tracks designed and led by leaders you know and respect
Signature sessions with world-class speakers
Mastermind sessions with trusted peers
Social and networking events
Community-led workshops
Curated connections with other members
Access to the On Deck Directory
Opportunity to explore other options within the On Deck ecosystem

Apply to On Deck Engineering

Membership is $4990/year. If accepted, we’ll work with you to help expense through L&D. Payment plans available.
JOIN FELLOWS WORKING AT
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What does a typical month look like?

Programming for On Deck Engineering is 1-4 hours per week. You can dive into everything, or take a step back when you’re too busy. The community will be there for you.

ODE Calendar

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Inclusive Hiring Practices
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Peer to Peer
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Office Hours
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Coaching
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Q&A with a high profile guest
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Leadership Pitfalls
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The Importance of Communication
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Developing Your Leadership Style
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Headcount and Capacity Modeling
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Planning & Executing Projects That Scale
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Signature Session
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Mastermind Session
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Peer to Peer
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1:1 with another Fellow
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Curated Connection

Ready to apply?

On Deck Engineering is a lifelong, application-only community with a 4-week immersive onboarding to help you build lasting relationships from Day 1.

FAQ

Who should apply?

To be a good fit for ODE:

  • You might be a Software Engineer, Tech Lead, Engineering Manager or Director at a small-mid sized company or a high-performing senior engineering professional at a large-enterprise company with relevant experience, and would benefit from authentic relationships forged with like-minded technologists.
  • Your title and duties may be in a variety of technical disciplines like Data, Frontend, UI, Security, or Platform. Since leadership qualities are needed for all these verticals, people from all of the engineering disciplines and specialties are encouraged to join.
  • You may be tasked with leading teams and/or large-scale projects at your workplace, or you’re aspiring to.
  • You are open to seeking the support, coaching, and mentorship required to scale yourself and your company, all within a discrete and confidential environment.
  • You are willing to share your experiences, challenge assumptions, expand your perspectives, and raise the bar for yourself and others. You’re committed to lifelong learning and carry a spirit of service to others.
I already have a great network and limited time for other commitments. What can ODE provide that I can’t find elsewhere?

ODE is a community unlike any you’ve come across - it connects top-tier engineering leaders from all over the world who are deepinging their knowledge and understanding of leadership principles. ODE is dedicated to recruiting leaders who would benefit the most from learning and growing together, building a supportive mentorship community in the process.

We curate all programming and connections to maximize your value and time spent during the fellowship. You can dive into everything the fellowship has to offer, or opt in only to what best suits your goals and time. Membership comes with unparalleled access to our network of startups and careers fellowships, as part of the On Deck ecosystem. Think of each adjacent fellowship as potential talent pools with cross-programming and our talent hub driving introductions and insights to better understand your ideal candidate personas, and hire them! Our track record of launching 650+ companies now worth over $5 billion in the last 2 years will only continue to grow with the launch of our new accelerator ODX, as will the talent pools we can connect you to through our careers fellowships that ODE rolls up into.

Whether you are a software engineer at a growing startup or an engineering leader at a large established company, ODE will provide you with the opportunity to exchange practical frameworks and build deep connections with a highly-curated group of engineering peers.

What is the time commitment?

Expect 2-3 hours per week of programming for the first 4 weeks (it’s up to you when and how often you join!), followed by 1-4 hours/month for the remainder of the year. The fellowship is designed for you to opt-in to what suits your goals at any given time. We recognize that everyone in the community is in one of the busiest roles in their organization; engineering! As such, we aim to accommodate as best as we can while respecting our fellows’ time with value-add sessions that you can attend at your own pace.

Can On Deck Help me expense the program cost?

Absolutely. We have many existing relationships with companies around the world and will do our best to help you use your learning and development budget (if available) to help cover the cost of the program. Unlike a tech conference, our education, speakers, and learning modules will continue to happen throughout the year.

Are there scholarships or financing options available?

All Fellows have the option to pay in four monthly installments (with no interest or additional charges). We also have a limited number of scholarships available thanks to our Access Fund. Information about scholarship applications will be provided to accepted Fellows closer to the kickoff date.

Did we miss your question? Drop us a line and we will get back to you asap.