About

I’m Phil Austin, a DevOps-minded engineering leader with a passion for simplifying complexity, scaling what works, and empowering people to build great software.

Over the past two decades, I’ve helped startups and scaling companies build resilient cloud systems, shape high-performing engineering teams, and bring GenAI-powered products to life. I’ve led everything from cloud migrations and platform re-architecture to multi-agent AI product development - most recently as SVP of Engineering at Plus Company, where I led the effort to build and launch the AIOS platform and helped shape our engineering culture from the ground up.

But my story didn’t start there.

💡 My Journey

I wrote my first lines of code as a kid, fascinated by the idea that a few keystrokes could create something of value in the real world. That curiosity carried me through years of hands-on work in IT, software development, DevOps, and eventually engineering leadership. I’ve seen how the right systems can elevate a team, and how the wrong ones can slow everything down.

What’s stayed consistent throughout: I care deeply about helping people do their best work. That means building systems that scale and cultures that support experimentation, autonomy, and psychological safety.

💭 What I Believe

  • Technology should enable people, not bottleneck them.
  • Leadership is about removing friction, not adding process.
  • DevOps isn’t a role, it’s a mindset.
  • AI is powerful when it solves real problems, not when it adds noise.

Whether I’m architecting a CI/CD pipeline, spinning up a Bedrock-powered prototype, or coaching an engineering manager on how to lead with clarity, I’m doing it because I believe high-performance teams deserve high-performance support.

🎸 Outside the Office

When I’m not building systems or teams, you’ll probably find me:

  • Playing music (guitar, piano, drums) with my two boys
  • Training at the gym or recharging in the Sierra foothills
  • Reading about AI, productivity hacks, longevity, or whatever rabbit hole I’m chasing that week

🔄 Let’s Connect

I’m always open to new collaborations, sharing ideas, or just chatting about the future of technology.

See the Connect page and find me on LinkedIn.

“Phil’s ability to lead teams through complex transformations is unmatched. He combines deep technical expertise with a genuine passion for people.”
~ Former Colleague