This story was recorded in April, 2020. Learn more about Rick on his Linkedin.
Tell us a little about your current role: your title, the company you work at, and generally what sort of work does your team do?
I’m the Strategic Advisor to Uber’s Vice President of Infrastructure, which means I’m part of the Infrastructure leadership team along with the engineering directors and org-wide Program Managers. Infrastructure Engineering at Uber is about 700 people across six sub-organizations like Metal which handles our data centers and servers, Storage, Developer Platform and so on. I work with the VP on things like technical strategy, cultural strategy and special projects.

StaffEng's platform is a resource for engineering leaders, offering insights into engineering management, team leadership, and organizational dynamics. Through articles, case studies, and interviews with engineering managers, StaffEng offers insights into effective leadership strategies, career development paths, and building high-performing engineering teams. Readers can learn about managing technical debt, fostering a culture of innovation, and navigating challenges in engineering management roles to advance their careers as engineering leaders.

StaffEng

Rick Boone serves as Strategic Advisor to Uber's VP of Infrastructure, overseeing a 700-person engineering organization across six sub-teams. His role combines technical strategy, cultural initiatives, and organizational design, requiring deep alignment with leadership vision. The position involves assessing technology needs, prioritizing innovation, resolving team conflicts, and serving as a bridge between leadership and engineering teams. Boone emphasizes the importance of mentorship, particularly for minority engineers, and maintains technical awareness through active engagement with development teams despite reduced coding responsibilities.

Rick Boone - Strategic Advisor to Uber's VP of Infrastructure