The hottest Engineering Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

What is a Founding Engineer?

Jake [Building in NYC] • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Founding engineers have to work really fast. They need to handle problems quickly and keep feedback flowing between users and the business.
  2. Empathy is key for founding engineers. They should think about how users will respond to their work and make it as easy and enjoyable as possible.
  3. A founding engineer always seeks the truth. They are curious and unafraid to ask questions to understand problems better and find effective solutions.

Please take our programming assessment with an LLM

Creating Value from Nothing • 185 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Clipboard Health is using real-case programming problems in their hiring process. This helps them see how candidates actually work and fit into their async work culture.
  2. They believe that using LLMs, like chatbots or AI tools, is okay during assessments. They see these tools as standard parts of a modern engineer's toolkit, not as cheats.
  3. By allowing LLM use, they hope to create better assessments that truly evaluate a candidate's skill, helping to find the best engineers for their team.

You don’t have to be an engineer to become a founder of a space tech start-up

Space Ambition • 239 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. You don't need to be an engineer to start a space tech company. Many successful founders come from different backgrounds and experiences.
  2. The space tech industry includes a diverse range of founders, such as experts with technical knowledge, entrepreneurs who were successful in other fields, and dreamers who are passionate about space.
  3. Many successful space tech founders show that with passion, determination, and the right team, anyone can make their space exploration dreams a reality.

Top 5 blockers to establish a foothold on Mars

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. To go to Mars, we really need to improve how we use fuel and build bigger rockets. Right now, our technology just isn’t strong enough.
  2. Living in space for a long time means we need larger spaceships with essential comforts like food and water. Making these spaceships in space instead of on Earth might be a smart solution.
  3. Radiation on Mars is a big health risk since it doesn't have a magnetic field like Earth. We need to find ways to protect astronauts from this danger while they explore.

Coming soon

Identity, Authenticity, and Security • 19 implied HN points • 18 May 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. This newsletter focuses on modern system design, especially around identity and security.
  2. It's suited for anyone wanting to learn, whether you're a beginner or looking to grow in your career.
  3. The goal is to provide useful resources to help you understand and improve your knowledge in these areas.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin — Defender of the Future

Rings of Saturn • 174 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. There are special cheat codes in the game 'Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future' that can be activated by naming your save file a certain way. These codes unlock features like immortality and all-level access.
  2. A reverse-engineering tool called Ghidra was used to find these codes and understand how they were hidden in the game. It shows how programming can uncover secret game mechanics.
  3. Some codes do different things, like showing the frame rate or unlocking a bonus game. One code is mysterious and doesn't seem to do anything at all, adding an element of fun discovery.

Enterprise Prompt Engineering Practices

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Users spend a good amount of time, around 43 minutes, editing prompts to get better results from language models. They often make small, careful changes instead of big rewrites.
  2. The main focus of edits is usually on the context of the prompts, such as improving examples and grounding information. This shows that context is crucial for getting good outputs.
  3. Many users try multiple changes at once and sometimes roll back their edits. This indicates that they might struggle to remember what worked well in the past or which changes had positive effects.

An Inventor's Quest for the NHL Pt. 33

An Engineering Self-Study • 723 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🎾 Sports Engineering
  1. The inventor faced challenges with his product design, such as chafing and broken parts during testing.
  2. Despite setbacks, the inventor persisted and sought solutions to improve the design.
  3. Through trial and error, the inventor identified the need for lateral support in the design to prevent bending issues.

Manufacturing PCBs with controlled impedance

Only Wonder Knows • 98 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Manufacturing PCBs with controlled impedance involves extra cost and needs to be well understood and justified.
  2. To determine when controlled impedance of PCB traces is needed, consider factors like trace width, dielectric material thickness, and manufacturing tolerances.
  3. Measuring characteristic impedance in PCBs involves complex processes, manual testing, and cost implications that should be discussed with the manufacturer.

Driving fans

Only Wonder Knows • 98 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. Understanding basic physics is crucial when dealing with fan systems.
  2. The relationship between air flow and air pressure in fan systems is not always linear.
  3. When selecting a fan for a system, consider factors like power consumption, flow specifications, and current consumption.

Being an Engineering Manager at IKEA businesses

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jun 25
💼 Business Engineering
  1. Working in a big company like IKEA means understanding its history and complexity. Engineers need to be humble and learn from the existing systems and processes before proposing changes.
  2. Communication and collaboration are key. New engineering managers should focus on making meetings productive and should not rely too much on consultants to solve problems.
  3. Engineers at IKEA are expected to engage deeply with the business. It's important to know how things work beyond just coding, and it's essential to build relationships and trust within teams.

The circles of competence

Binh’s Archive • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Engineering circles are merit-based and depend on excellence, not seniority.
  2. Circles of competence categorize engineers into 5 levels, from Beginner to Grand Master, based on their skillset and achievements.
  3. The path to higher levels requires patience, discipline, in-depth research, and hands-on experience.

The Metaverse is a good business move[Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 179 implied HN points • 22 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. The Metaverse is viewed as a beneficial business move, despite criticism from some sectors. It offers potential for immersive AR/VR experiences that could transform various industries.
  2. Critics raise concerns about the Metaverse's impact on mental health, utility versus costs, and accessibility to all. However, these challenges might not be as significant as initially perceived.
  3. Investing in the Metaverse could help Meta address its major challenges, create new revenue streams, and establish a unique position in the tech industry. Developing skills related to AR/VR and technology can potentially lead to opportunities in this evolving landscape.

How to Build a World Class Engternship Program

Jake [Building in NYC] • 39 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Engineering
  1. Internship programs often fail because interns get little guidance and engage in low-value projects. Startups need to realize that internships shouldn't just be about cheap labor but setting interns up for success.
  2. Effective internships focus on growth and clear expectations. Setting clear roles and feedback practices helps interns feel engaged and lets them know how to succeed.
  3. Building a supportive culture is key. Grouping interns, encouraging pair programming, and giving them ownership of tasks help create a positive learning environment.

TT Chapter: Fat-Tailed Distributions

Software Design: Tidy First? • 154 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Fat-tailed distributions show that extreme events can happen more often than we expect. This is important for planning in various fields.
  2. When designing software, it's good to focus on creating simple models first. This can help make complex concepts easier to understand.
  3. Being an empirical designer means you rely on real-world data and observations to guide your design decisions. This approach can lead to better results.

Engineering Crits at Figma: Interview with Laura Peng

High Growth Engineer • 307 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Consider the level of detail in crits based on the feedback needed for effective decision-making.
  2. Structure crit meetings with clear expectations, silent reviewing periods, and follow-up synchronous discussions.
  3. Approach feedback in crits by giving and receiving early, focusing on empowering team confidence, and maintaining a positive, collaborative culture.

SNT: Frequently asked questions.

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. The SNT model divides radiation exposure into daily doses for better tracking of cancer risk. This helps in understanding how each day's exposure can affect long-term health.
  2. SNT is considered conservative in its estimates, as it tends to predict higher cancer risks compared to other models. This is seen as useful for safety regulations.
  3. There is resistance to SNT in the scientific community, with many experts favoring a different model called LNT. This makes it challenging to implement a new standard for evaluating radiation risks.

HyperX Topology for Photonic Wafer Scale Integration

Tapa’s Substack • 59 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Using the HyperX topology can be a good choice for connecting photonic wafer-scale systems, helping to improve efficiency and lower costs. It focuses on making connections quicker and cheaper in long-distance scenarios on wafers.
  2. Photonic wafer-scale integration offers benefits like reduced energy use and lower latency compared to traditional electrical methods, but the right network setup has been a challenge. Finding a suitable layout is important for maximizing performance.
  3. The HyperX design has advantages like fewer layers and a straightforward layout, which can help minimize complications in building these systems. It's a simple yet effective way to boost the performance of interconnects in photonic setups.

How to be the favorite engineer among your product manager and designer

High Growth Engineer • 465 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
💼 Business Engineering
  1. Collaboration with product managers and designers can be challenging due to differing priorities and project impacts.
  2. Engineers often face the dilemma of balancing what they can do, what the PM wants, and what the PM thinks they can do.
  3. Maintaining a good relationship and meeting deadlines are key aspects of being a favored engineer among product managers and designers.

The Sequence Opinion #547: Best Practices I am Learning While Coding with AI Agents

TheSequence • 63 implied HN points • 22 May 25
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Software engineering is changing rapidly with the use of AI agents. Teams are now using AI to help speed up their work and take on new roles.
  2. AI agents are moving beyond just helping with code completion. They now can generate entire code bases, run tests, and manage pull requests automatically.
  3. Developers are shifting their focus from hands-on coding to more strategic tasks like code review and creating documentation, as AI handles more of the coding work.

Material science is really important

TP’s Substack • 45 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Material science is crucial for developing advanced technologies. It helps create stronger and lighter materials used in many industries, especially aerospace.
  2. China leads in synthetic fiber production, making it vital for global supply chains. This dominance impacts many industries, including clothing and advanced manufacturing.
  3. Innovation in materials like carbon fiber is driving progress in various fields, from electric vehicles to robotics. These advancements are essential for future technology and industry growth.

Why pay attention to SpaceX?

MoneyLemma • 78 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. SpaceX has made significant advancements in private-sector space missions.
  2. Starlink by SpaceX aims to provide internet coverage to remote areas using satellites.
  3. SpaceX's reusable rockets and Starship project are revolutionizing space travel and reducing costs.

S&T - New Horizons: The UK’s Global Science Strategy Beyond Horizon Europe (Jan 2023)

James W. Phillips' Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. The UK needs to benchmark itself against global science leaders for investment and performance.
  2. Science and technology have become more interdisciplinary and institutions need to adapt to support this.
  3. Identifying niches for exploitation and creating new institutions focused on empowering junior researchers is crucial for UK's success.

sqlmesh janitor

davidj.substack • 119 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Sqlmesh offers various command-line interface commands that help manage and maintain your data projects effectively. For example, the `clean` command helps fix any issues that might arise during execution.
  2. The new tool has unique features that improve development, like automatic data contract handling and optimized incremental models, making it easier to work with large datasets without unnecessary costs.
  3. Competition in the data transformation space is healthy. It pushes tools like dbt and sqlmesh to improve, ultimately benefiting users by providing better features and experiences.

Start Here

Michael’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
💼 Business Engineering
  1. Michael Lin is an entrepreneur and writer, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, engineering, and life.
  2. He offers a free e-book on writing and provides actionable articles every Tuesday for subscribers.
  3. His popular essays cover topics like career growth, personal branding, and luck in your career.

Validating PCAs (1)

Only Wonder Knows • 78 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Validating designed electronics is as important as designing them.
  2. The U-test model involves generating controlled stimulus and checking responses to ensure proper functioning of circuits.
  3. Different types of tests like design, manufacturing, integration, and regression tests play a crucial role in validation processes.

Prompt Engineering? Try "Prompt Vibing"

AI and Experience Design • 78 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Prompt Engineering involves scientific, methodical, and measurement-oriented approaches to creating AI prompts.
  2. Prompt Engineering may not be enough due to the inscrutability of Large Language Models and the need for intuition when working with AI.
  3. Prompt Vibing suggests leveraging intuitive sensibilities and balancing engineering mindset with intuition when interacting with AI.

Unpacking Okta's Tech Architecture | Monica Bajaj - VP Developer Experience & Mark T. Voelker - VP Architecture at Okta

platocommunity • 39 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Okta believes in leveling up both the tech stack and the people stack for successful architecture.
  2. The Architecture Charter at Okta involves setting clear guardrails and handholds to empower engineers to make informed decisions.
  3. Writing things down, utilizing frameworks like RFCs and Requests for Discussion, is crucial for communication and knowledge sharing in the organization.

Engineers and the New Technocracy

Breaking Smart • 110 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. The writer is focusing on engineering ideas and themes in their writing. They believe this reflects their true interests and the world we live in.
  2. They argue that everyone has an engineer inside them. It's not about being an expert, but about engaging with the engineering aspects of human nature.
  3. The writer finds the general concept of technology uninspiring, while they feel strongly about embracing engineering behaviors and identities in everyone.

Tech Talks Weekly #14 💥

Tech Talks Weekly • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Tech Talks Weekly shares recent tech talks from over 11 conferences, making it easy to catch up on the latest developments.
  2. Popular talks this week include topics like processing large data with Java and the latest updates in React, showcasing diverse tech trends.
  3. Readers are encouraged to support the initiative by sharing the newsletter and providing feedback to improve future content.

The Future of Engineering is AIOps

Bytes, Data, Action! • 39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Software engineering is evolving with the help of generative AI tooling like AIOps.
  2. AIOps focuses on problem-solving and creating workflows with AI to simplify coding tasks.
  3. The future of engineering could involve conversational workflows, shared code conversations, and easy deployment through AI models.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #117

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 127 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. TSMC is successfully producing chips in Arizona, even better than in Taiwan. This could help boost U.S. manufacturing and support the new CHIPS Act funding.
  2. Arkansas has a lot of lithium, estimated to be 5 to 19 million tons. This is great news for the EV industry and America's push for clean energy.
  3. Science has made a retinal implant that helps restore vision to some blind patients. This shows how technology can genuinely improve people's lives.

The Day My Project Went to Space

The Palindrome • 2 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. Space experiments demand massive behind-the-scenes work: detailed proposals, strict approvals, extensive documentation, and coordination with agencies.
  2. Consumer mobile IMUs can be used in microgravity but pose real challenges—orientation tracking, gravity removal, sensor bias, and noise make trajectory reconstruction hard and require careful calibration and advanced integration methods.
  3. Leading a flight experiment often means becoming a full‑stack engineer: build a simple, robust flight-ready app, pass platform and agency reviews, run thorough tests, and use quick prototypes or ML demos to validate and showcase the work.

TAO - Meta's Scalable architecture powering world's largest social graph

Engineering At Scale • 120 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering
  1. Meta created TAO to handle the huge amount of data and user interactions on its platform. This system helps generate personalized content for over 2 billion users very quickly.
  2. TAO uses a layered architecture that includes caching and data storage to improve performance. This design helps distribute the load and maintain fast responses even when many users are active.
  3. TAO prioritizes high availability over strict data consistency. This means it can sometimes show slightly out-of-date information, but it still works well for users, especially during busy times.

NASA Is Worth Saving

The Good Science Project • 44 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🔬 Science Engineering
  1. NASA is struggling to stay relevant and meet its goals. They have wasted years and money on rocket programs that don't work, which gives other countries like China an advantage in space exploration.
  2. There's a huge opportunity to improve NASA by focusing on its main mission of exploring the Moon and Mars. This means investing in new technologies and working alongside companies like SpaceX to utilize their resources.
  3. It's really important for NASA to get better at hiring and keeping talented people. When talented staff leave for better pay elsewhere, the whole agency suffers, and they need to act quickly to fix this problem.