Top 10 Technical Mentors (2026)
Discover the top 10 Technical Mentors in 2025-2026. Expert coaches with proven success in delivering technical solutions.
Posted January 10, 2026
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Table of Contents
Breaking into technical roles takes more than raw skill. It takes targeted practice, an insider perspective, and a coach who’s walked the path and knows where candidates stumble. This curated list features technical mentors at places like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and LinkedIn, covering a wide range of roles from backend and infra to ML, frontend, product, and engineering leadership. You’ll find experts who match your goals, background, and pace. See all our coaches here.
Shifu X.
Experience: Senior engineer with 8+ years across Snap, Google, and AWS, specializing in backend infrastructure, distributed systems, and cloud computing. A seasoned interviewer for coding and system design at top companies, Shifu has coached candidates through internships and full-time offers.
Specialties:
- Backend systems and distributed architecture
- Cloud infrastructure, storage, and compute optimization
- Coding and system design interview prep
- Internship strategy and conversion to full-time
- Career planning for early- and mid-career engineers
If you’re targeting high-bar backend or infra roles, Shifu offers the exact lens top companies use to evaluate talent. Particularly strong for candidates seeking scalable architecture expertise, system design rigor, and practical strategies to stand out in competitive pipelines.
"Shifu is an excellent coach. He is thoughtful, encouraging, and very detail oriented. I really liked his mock interview style. He guided me step by step, asked great follow-up questions, and provided very clear feedback on both my thinking process and communication. It was clear that he genuinely cares about helping candidates improve. I left the session with practical tips and more confidence. I highly recommend working with him if you are preparing for technical interviews."
- Coached by Shifu and landed a role at Robinhood
→ Book a free intro call with Shifu
Cesar M.
Experience: Microsoft veteran who started as a Software Engineer and advanced into Senior Program/Product Management with 10+ years of coaching engineers.
Specialties:
- Coding, system design, and debugging fundamentals
- Career transitions: IC to PM/leadership
- Collaboration and stakeholder communication
- Interview readiness and confidence building
- Practical, no-fluff coaching frameworks
Cesar brings a pragmatic, human-centered coaching style grounded in the realities of Big Tech. He’s ideal for engineers who need both technical polish and the leadership skills to influence roadmaps and outcomes. Expect clear steps, candid feedback, and a mindset shift that unlocks momentum, especially if you’re moving into PM or aiming for senior visibility.
"Cesar taught me so much. First of all, Cesar really helped me get comfortable with the idea that getting a job would not be a trap but instead would give me the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop myself so that I could eventually start my own business. He helped me really self-reflect and see my own story in a way where I could tell it in a way where it would make perfect sense why I was the best fit for the jobs I was applying to. He also taught me the philosophy and specific strategy of how he would approach a job search. We spent a lot of time fine-tuning my resume and then he got me all ready to start applying to jobs and networking! I got a wonderful job at a unicorn company! Thank you Cesar!! I have so much more clarity on myself and what I am looking for. On top of that, I am so much more confidence in my ability to give value to the world."
- Coached by Cesar
→ Book a free intro call with Cesar
Simran B.
Experience: Harvard Business School MBA candidate and former Twitch engineer (full-stack and ML) with product experience at a venture-backed startup. Taught 1,000+ students as a TA at UVA and Darden, guiding aspiring engineers and PMs.
Specialties:
- Breaking into Big Tech and startups
- Full-stack and ML fundamentals in product contexts
- Product strategy and PM transitions
- Application strategy for deferred/2+2 MBA paths
Simran’s rare blend of engineering, ML, and product makes her a strong partner for candidates exploring cross-functional paths. She knows how to translate technical work into product impact, critical for PM interviews and startup roles. If you value structured learning and real-world examples from Big Tech and early-stage environments, she’s a standout.
"I approached Simran for help with both technical and behavioral mock interviews while preparing for a software engineering role. I was on a tight timeline, and Simran was quick to help. She was incredibly professional, understanding, and patient. Having experience being in the interviewer’s shoes herself, she was a fantastic mock interviewer—providing strong insights into what interviewers are actually looking for along with invaluable, actionable feedback based on my performance. What stood out most was her ability to be warm yet honest—she created a supportive environment while still pushing me to improve. Our sessions helped me feel much more confident, and I ultimately landed the offer I was aiming for. She also always took time at the end of our sessions to chat about general life/career advice, which I really appreciated. Overall, Simran was a fantastic coach! I couldn’t recommend her more."
- Coached by Simran and landed a role at Verily
→ Book a free intro call with Simran
Zando W.
Experience: CTO and co-founder who hires and leads engineers from top organizations; former engineering team lead and SWE across multiple startups (Seed to Series B), with internships at AWS and beyond.
Specialties:
- Breaking into SWE roles and accelerating ramp-up
- Startup vs. Big Tech decision-making
- Interview prep and practical skill-building
- Transitioning to engineering management
- Entrepreneurial paths for engineers
Zando coaches from the hiring seat. He knows how early-stage teams evaluate candidates, what “impact” looks like in lean environments, and how to position yourself for growth. If you’re deciding between startup and Big Tech, his guidance is direct, grounded, and immediately applicable.
"I highly recommend Zando as a job coach. He was responsive, professional, and played a pivotal role in my recent job search, which resulted in multiple Senior SWE offers from Meta, Pinterest, and Atlassian. Zando crafted a personalized preparation strategy specifically for the type of companies I was targeting. This curriculum consisted of a detailed study plan, enabling me to master topics such as data structures and algorithms, system design, and behavioral questions. Additionally, Zando conducted mock interviews with me, offering constructive feedback on crucial aspects like time management and strategy. His guidance was instrumental in refining my interview skills. Without his insightful feedback, I doubt I would have performed as well in the interviews."
- Anton A., Coached by Zando and landed roles at Meta, Pinterest, and Atlassian
→ Book a free intro call with Zando
Jiashuo W.
Experience: Principal Engineer and first engineer at Leland. Previously worked at LinkedIn and Amazon. An international professional who’s mentored junior engineers and guided career progression.
Specialties:
- Leveling from junior to senior/staff engineer
- Technical leadership and owning product features
- Interview readiness (FAANG/Big Tech pathways)
- International candidate navigation and strategy
- Career transitions into high-impact roles
Jiashuo has lived the journey many candidates want: an internship at Big Tech, then advancing to Tech Lead, and pioneering at a startup. He’s especially effective for international candidates and those targeting meaningful leaps in scope. Expect concrete guidance on technical growth, influence, and landing roles that stretch your capabilities.
"I would like to highly recommend Jiashuo as an excellent career coach. His expertise in software engineering, along with his fluency in both English and Chinese, was incredibly valuable to me. Jiashuo's guidance helped me navigate the complexities of the interview process with confidence. His extensive experience and insightful advice were instrumental in my success during the interviews. I am truly grateful for his dedication and the positive impact he has had on my career journey."
- Coached by Jiashuo for Software Engineering, landed a role at Amazon
→ Book a free intro call with Jiashuo
Zen L.
Experience: Veteran software engineer with experience at Amazon, Microsoft Azure, Google, and AWS. Led ML-driven inventory optimization at Amazon, worked in cloud management and security at Microsoft, and supported modernization in AWS Industry Products.
Specialties:
- Resume and behavioral interview preparation
- Building soft and hard skills for career growth
- Cloud, supply chain tech, and ML applications
- Referrals, guidance, and professional branding
- International candidate support
Zen brings an end-to-end view of technical careers, from hands-on engineering to applied ML and cloud modernization. If you need help translating complex work into narratives or want a seasoned guide across multiple industries, Zen’s mentorship is insightful and supportive. Great for candidates seeking comprehensive prep and long-term career scaffolding.
"Zen has deep expertise across a wide range of engineering domains and offered valuable perspective on both academic and industry career paths. She asked thoughtful, tailored questions to my background that helped clarify my goals and provided in-depth insights that made a real difference in how I approach my next steps. I would highly recommend working with her if you need help navigating your career in software or any engineering field."
- Coached by Zen
→ Book a free intro call with Zen
Abhi V.
Experience: Amazon Software Development Engineer and deferred MBA admit (Kellogg), with previous internships at JPMorgan Chase and Capital One.
Specialties:
- Technical and behavioral interview prep
- Resume refinement and compelling storytelling
- Internship recruiting and conversion
- Early-career strategy and prioritization
- Balancing technical and business goals
Abhi’s coaching is honest and tactical, perfect for students and early-career engineers navigating competitive funnels. He’ll help you sharpen the signal in your profile, practice what top firms actually test, and recover quickly from setbacks. If you want real-world guidance from someone who’s crossed the finish line, he’s a strong ally.
"Abhi is by far the most impactful mentor I've ever worked with in terms of advancing my career. I went through the required schooling, the relevant experiences, but I was stuck at translating these into job opportunities. Abhi went above and beyond in mentoring me and ultimately improved my resume and prepared me for interviews. It's not just his background and experiences that are impressive, but that he will do his best to understand your circumstances and give you the best possible guidance to help you succeed. Thank you Abhi, for not only helping me advance my career but also boosting my confidence and drive!"
Joseph C., Coached by Abhi and landed a role at the NIH
→ Book a free intro call with Abhi
Dinesh S.
Experience: Engineering leader with 20+ years of experience across enterprises and startups. Advisor to VCs and early-stage startups and a consultant on expert platforms.
Specialties:
- Technical leadership and people management
- Org design, interviewing panels, and promotions
- Strategy docs and executive communication
- Conflict resolution and psychological safety
- Staying technical as a leader
For engineers stepping into leadership, Dinesh brings depth on culture, execution, and career acceleration. He’s particularly useful if you’re aiming for Director-level responsibilities, refining strategy documents, or tuning interview processes. Expect candid coaching that sharpens judgment and influence.
"Dinesh was an incredible coach who played a key role in helping me land my job. He took the time to truly understand my personality and tailored his guidance accordingly. From behavioral interview prep to mock sessions with detailed feedback, Dinesh gave me clear, actionable advice that significantly improved my confidence and performance. He also went above and beyond by helping me identify companies (and eventually also recommended me to the one that I joined) where I would be a great fit both professionally and culturally. I couldn't have done it without him."
- Kaushal P., Coached by Dinesh and landed a position at Resolve.ai
→ Book a free intro call with Dinesh
Logan N.
Experience: Former Amazon and Goldman Sachs software engineer, now building in the startup world. Brings a cross-disciplinary perspective spanning finance, economics, and CS.
Specialties:
- Breaking into Big Tech and fintech
- Scaling systems and backend fundamentals
- Startup execution and adaptability
- Career navigation across industries and company sizes
- First-role readiness and transitions
Logan understands both high-stakes, regulated environments and fast-moving startups. If you’re targeting payments, fintech, or backend roles and want to build the versatility to thrive anywhere, his guidance is pragmatic and growth-oriented. He’s a great fit for candidates seeking clarity on direction and a plan that travels well across companies.
"Logan is by far the most intelligent mentor I had in college - he could be a professor in his own right. He not only taught me complex algorithms and formulas but helped me understand them deeply. If you're looking to break into a quantitative finance or another technical field, you should absolutely work with Logan - 1000% worth the investment."
- Nick V., Coached by Logan and landed roles at McKinsey and BCG
→ Book a free intro call with Logan
Steven F.
Experience: Former LinkedIn Staff Software Engineer turned Co-Founder and CTO with 10+ years of experience building modern web technologies and leading frontend excellence.
Specialties:
- Frontend engineering and web performance
- User experience and interface craftsmanship
- Modern web architecture and best practices
- Career navigation for frontend engineers
- Portfolio refinement and impact storytelling
Steven specializes in what hiring managers notice immediately: speed, UX polish, and technical depth on the front end. If you want to level up performance chops, ship user-loved interfaces, and present your work with clarity, Steven offers the practical, senior-level feedback that moves you fast.
→ Book a free intro call with Steven
Find the Best Coach for Your Technical Journey
The right coach can compress your learning curve, sharpen your edge, and turn preparation into offers. Explore the profiles above and book a free 15-minute intro call to find your fit, or browse all coaches here.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free strategy and coach-matching call with the Leland team and we’ll help you choose the mentor who aligns with your goals and background. Find the right coach and start building your technical career today.
Read More:
- 20 Common System Design Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)
- Software Engineer Resume: The Ultimate Guide
- Software Engineering Specializations & Which One is Right for You
- How to Land Your Dream SWE Job
Top Technical Coaches – FAQs
How do I know which type of technical mentor is the right fit for me?
- It depends on your goals. If you’re preparing for system design interviews, a backend mentor might be ideal. If you want to break into PM or startup leadership, a cross-functional mentor could help. The best fit aligns not only with your target role but also with your stage of career.
What’s the difference between preparing for Big Tech vs. startup technical interviews?
- Big Tech often emphasizes structured problem solving, data structures/algorithms, and system design rigor. Startups, meanwhile, may prioritize versatility, end-to-end ownership, and demonstrating real-world product impact. A mentor who’s sat on both sides of the table can help you balance these approaches.
Beyond technical skills, what areas do top mentors help engineers develop?
- Great technical mentors don’t just drill coding questions. They also provide comprehensive support, sharpening your communication, leadership presence, and the ability to translate technical work into business value.
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