What does it take to build a career as a mobile engineer when AI is changing everything?
Pasha Mazurin shares how he went from Java backend engineer to Head of Mobile, why he only joins mobile-first companies, and how AI-assisted development brought the joy back to his work. This isn't theory, it's real lessons from 15+ years in the field and now learning Android at a senior level.
In this episode, we cover:
AI-assisted mobile development workflow (the four-window tmux setup)
Why mobile-first companies operate completely differently
Hiring for strengths, not lack of weaknesses (lessons from Uber)
Leading as a hands-on engineer who stays in the trenches
Why React Native doesn't feel native and when to go fully native
Whether you're building your mobile engineering career or figuring out how AI changes your workflow, this conversation offers practical perspectives on staying effective and making intentional career choices.
Connect with Pasha:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kovpas
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:13 - Using AI as Your Junior Engineer Teammate
00:02:33 - The Four-Window Tmux Setup for AI-Assisted Development
00:04:29 - Managing Multiple Features with Git Worktrees
00:05:52 - Why AI Makes You a Better Code Reviewer
00:08:07 - Setting Up Markdown Files for AI Context
00:11:54 - Small Teams vs Big Companies: Where Mobile Engineers Thrive
00:16:26 - The Mobile-First Company Filter That Shapes Every Career Move
00:18:31 - Being Nice: The Underrated Career Skill
00:20:29 - Pick Your Battles: When to Disagree and Commit
00:22:52 - Hire for Strengths, Not Lack of Weaknesses
00:25:16 - Is Software Engineering Still a Good Career Choice?
00:28:19 - How I Accidentally Became a Mobile Engineer
00:31:41 - Why I Only Work on Apps That Matter to People
00:35:08 - Joining Uber During the Big Mobile App Rewrite
00:39:12 - Leading Without Rank: Managing as a Hands-On Engineer
00:43:01 - How AI Changed Mobile Development in 12 Months
00:46:09 - The Communication Skills That Make or Break Engineers
00:49:59 - It's Okay to Say You Don't Understand
00:51:30 - Working on Payments: Building Critical App Infrastructure
00:53:25 - Why React Native Doesn't Feel Native (And What Works Better)
00:55:36 - Can You Switch Specializations Without Taking a Pay Cut?
00:57:02 - How Learning Android Brought the Joy Back