A surprising 95+% of international data traffic traverses through a network of crisscrossing cables on the ocean floors  linking diverse data centers worldwide, constituting a vital infrastructure, which forms the backbone of the internet. 

Venkata Jasti, our next pathbreaker, Director of Engineering Software at Makai Ocean Engineering (Hawaii), oversees the operations of the Submarine Cable group, which specializes in developing software for the planning and installation of Submarine Cables, for communication.

Venkata talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about working on impactful software that has facilitated the installation of over 600,000+ kilometers of submarine cables, utilized by over 40 cable-laying vessels.

For students, focus on the bigger picture, because it will help you make bolder decisions that can shape your career path !

Venkata, Your background?

I was born and raised in Hyderabad until I completed my BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Vignana Joyti Institute of Engineering and Technology (VNR VJIET). During my schooling at St. Paul’s High School, I actively engaged in various extra-curricular activities such as debates, science fairs, and occasional dramas, with a particular fondness for the extempore format. Subsequently, my time at St. Mary’s Junior College was dedicated to preparing for different Engineering common entrance examinations.

During my time at VNR VJIET, I not only continued to participate in extracurricular activities but also developed a keen interest in basketball. I served as the captain of the basketball team for a few tournaments and I also took the initiative to organize our college’s inaugural cultural festival, which, in retrospect, proved to be very formative experiences.

Despite belonging to a business-oriented family where I observed my parents and extended family members establish businesses and set up factories to varying degrees of success, my inclination had always been towards pursuing an engineering degree. I saw that the businesses that had superior technical underpinning were more defensible and sustainable. My dad was a graduate engineer himself with a Masters in Civil Engineering. Perhaps these were the early factors that steered me in that direction.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

After earning my BTech in Mechanical Engineering, I applied to various universities in the USA. I decided that acquiring deeper technical expertise within my field would be more advantageous, and I could pursue an MBA at a later stage if necessary. I received admission into the Master’s program in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh. At CMU, I met my advisor and began working under his guidance. I decided to stay for a few more years, ultimately completing my PhD in Mechanical Engineering under his mentorship. I worked as a teaching assistant for a few semesters and a research assistant for the remaining semesters which came with a scholarship and a stipend that support me through the PhD.

My doctoral research and related publications focused on the intricate behavior of granular flow. Granules are intriguing particles that exhibit both liquid-like and solid-like properties, depending on whether they are flowing or in a compact state. Crucially, this marked my initial foray into engineering simulations, a field I continue to work in to this day.

Can you talk about some of the influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and cool career?

While I had a general inclination towards engineering and possessed a knack for structured problem-solving, I had yet to narrow down my focus to a specific sub-field. At each juncture, my decision-making process revolved around selecting the best option available, one that would enable me to work alongside the best people possible. Admittedly, the range of choices was limited due to various constraints, but my priority was always the caliber of the people and, consequently, the caliber of the organization.

I previously mentioned the significant influence of my dad, who continues to serve as a mentor during my transition into managerial roles with increasing responsibilities. Growing up, our household was filled with books, thanks to my father’s influence. Some of my favorite authors were John Grisham, Robin Cook, and Tom Clancy. It was fascinating how they translated their deep expertise in one area (Law, medicine, and special ops respectively) into multiple gripping and page-turning plots. Over time, my reading preferences have shifted towards non-fiction, particularly biographies, which have served as both a source of inspiration and practical knowledge. It is always comforting to know that others have been through and overcome the challenges that you are facing. This collection of books has become a mentor in itself.

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Tell us about your career path

During my time at Carnegie Mellon, Dr. Fred Higgs played a pivotal role in my choice to pursue a PhD. I encourage everyone to watch his talk titled “Why Get an Engineering Phd.,” a presentation he has been delivering since our initial meeting in 2010. Serving as his first graduate student, I not only engaged in dedicated research but also actively contributed to setting up the laboratory and initiating his research program. This experience provided valuable insights into the process of conceptualizing and building a vision from the ground up, as I closely shadowed him throughout that period.

Following graduation, my wife and I made a bold decision to relocate across the United States from the East Coast to Hawaii to work with Makai Ocean Engineering. Dr. Jose Andres, who led the team and served as the company president at the time, and Mr. Steve Jeffries, my technical supervisor when I started, were a big reason for taking this chance. They were addressing a niche but critical issue of planning and installing Submarine Cables. It was clear from the interviews that they were one of the few groups that could translate pure research into a successful application and a sustainable business with an international clientele and it was also very clear that they were willing to teach everything. I joined in a purely technical role as a Scientific Numerical Modeler, I eventually transitioned through a couple of positions to the current position as the director of Engineering Software. Continued guidance from Dr. Andres and support from the rest of the Makai team facilitated this progression. This experience has been (and continues to be) a master class in how small teams can have an outsized impact.

How did you get your first break?

After completing my PhD, I made a deliberate choice to enter the industry rather than pursue a postdoctoral position. I wanted to work on a practical application that addressed an immediate real-world need. 

I applied for several positions and roles for a few months. I remember that Dr. Andres replied to my application within a few hours. We had a few phone calls, tests, and interview steps but it was clear that we had a good fit right from the beginning.   

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

I graduated with a PhD in late 2008, just as the recession was unfolding. In response, my wife and I had to change our plans on-the-fly. Initially, I had been exploring the idea of becoming a quantitative analyst in hedge funds or investment banks, with several ongoing interviews. However, as the market downturn deepened, it became evident that hiring in those sectors was coming to a standstill. I changed course and began seeking positions in the industry where I could apply my background in mechanical engineering, particularly my expertise in simulation.

It took a few more months of applying for various positions. Fortunately, my wife was in a position to support me during this period of waiting for the right opportunity. We also decided to be open to relocation for my first job, even if it meant my wife had to seek new employment. We eventually found the right opportunity with Makai Ocean Engineering. Luckily, her company offered her a work-from-home opportunity (back in 2009!) rather than losing her, which allowed her to continue working, albeit with very early morning hours in Hawaii time. 

Recently, our team felt the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting closures, social distancing measures, and quarantine protocols just like the rest of the world. As submarine cables are vital communication infrastructure, our work had to continue. Given our remote-first approach, we managed to remain productive in terms of internal development, although deploying the products to clients required a novel approach. Within a few weeks, the team devised remote training and support procedures, successfully transitioning to these new methods. Despite the challenges, some team members traveled during the pandemic, often undergoing days, and sometimes weeks, of quarantine before and after joining the cable-laying vessels. Consequently, we experienced some of the busiest years as we emerged from the pandemic. I take pride in the adaptability, ingenuity, and enduring resilience of our team, as well as the continuous support we consistently extend to each other.

Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?

My current position is the Director of Engineering Software at Makai Ocean Engineering. A large part of my role involves overseeing the operations of our Submarine Cable group, which specializes in developing software for the planning and installation of Submarine Cables, which are laid on the ocean floor and occasionally in lakes and rivers.

What are the skills required for your role? How did you acquire them?

In building software to help with planning the routes for these submarine cables, we combine our expertise in software development (both front-end and back-end), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and pertinent engineering principles (Mechanical and Ocean engineering concepts). Additionally, for installation control, we incorporate physical simulations and real-time data communication functionalities. Our team is adept at integrating the demands of both software development and engineering.

What is it you love about this job? 

What I love about this role, and what I take immense pride in regarding our small team (we only have ~10 people), is our recognized status as the go-to solution provider in our domain, catering to clients across more than 15 countries. Since the year 2000, our software has facilitated the installation of over 600,000+ kilometers of submarine cables, utilized by over 40 cable-laying vessels. As a result, we currently hold an 80%+ market share. We manage this with a majority of team members working remotely from various locations in the USA and India, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

How does your work benefit society? 

A surprising 95+% of international data traffic traverses the oceans via submarine telecom cables (not satellites!). These cables, linking diverse data centers worldwide, constitute a vital infrastructure, the significance of which is going to increase as the global digital transformation continues to unfold. This network of crisscrossing cables on the ocean floors is the backbone of the internet. 

In addition to the telecom cables, an increasing number of power cables are also being installed. These serve the purpose of transmitting energy from offshore wind farms to the mainland or interconnecting surplus energy-producing regions with areas of high energy demand. As the world embraces a green transition, these cables are set to play a pivotal role in facilitating this global shift towards sustainable energy solutions.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

As a professional starting off:

  • Get the basics down: Fundamental character qualities like honesty and reliability are table stakes if you want to have a good career. So basic skills such as effective communication, time management, and emotional intelligence are key. It is possible to grow despite deficiencies in these basics but the sooner you master these, the easier your path will be. (Book Recommendations: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Sthephen R Covey; Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen) 
  • Prioritize Learning: Knowledge compounds at a higher rate than most of the other assets in the world. As a young person, prioritize learning instead of monetary benefits or company brand. Research and understand the specifics of the role that is being offered, the team you will be working with, and the manager you will be reporting to. Yes, though this exposes you to a bit more risk, you will likely have very little to lose when you are starting. 
  • Put in the hard work: Smart work is important but this does not exempt you from putting in the hard work. To become meaningfully good at anything, it is important to put in the cumulative hours. At some point in your career, you have to dig down and put in work so the sooner you do it, the better. Be strategic about it and balance it with personal goals and passions. 
  • Managing your work: Most people reading this will be “Knowledge workers” which means that you will have a higher degree of autonomy. With this, comes the responsibility of managing your own work. You have to get into the habit of aligning your work with the priorities of your manager, team, and company. In many cases, these are not explicitly stated. It is in your best interest to be proactive and seek out these alignments.  
  • Add Value: How can I add value? This is always a good question to ask in every role you take on. Focus on adding value to the whole situation and not just personal gains. This comes from cultivating a growth mindset which believes that everyone can win as opposed to having a limited mindset where you believe that someone has to lose for you to win. Consider a change in your working situation if these efforts are not acknowledged and rewarded. (Book Recommendation: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck; How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie)

As a young professional climbing the ranks:

  • Stay curious:  Don’t stop learning. We live in an exponential age and things are changing at an accelerated pace. In addition to being up to date on your niche, it is becoming increasingly important to have a broad understanding of various other adjacent fields and sometimes even completely unrelated fields. (Book Recommendation: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein)

Reading books, listening to podcasts, and watching documentary content are good ways to get started. As little as 20 minutes of reading each day can go a long way. (Book Recommendations: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond)

  • Enjoy the journey: At some point, everyone gets to a position where they will have choices and they can craft the role they want. Strive for a role that genuinely excites you. Look for the aspects of your current job that bring you joy, even if they seem tedious to others. Aim to progress in that direction. (Book Recommendation: Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)