Eilidh Quinn: From Program Manager to Software Engineer
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Meet Eilidh Quinn — a former program manager who made the leap into software engineering. Now at Pluralsight, she’s working on major platform projects and championing inclusion as APAC co-chair of Women@Pluralsight. With a background that spans everything from mentoring teens to writing TypeScript, Eilidh brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to everything she builds.
Introduce yourself
Hi! I’m Eilidh - pronounced like ‘Hayley’ without the “H’. As the Gaelic name might suggest, Scotland is home for me, but I’ve been lucky enough to call a little coastal spot near Wollongong my second home for the last couple of years.
What do you do for work?
I’m a Software Engineer at Pluralsight, an education technology company that helps individuals and teams upskill in tech. In 2021, Pluralsight acquired A Cloud Guru (ACG), and my role has focused on maintaining the ACG platform throughout the integration, and supporting the smooth migration of millions of B2B and B2C customers to Pluralsight.
I also serve as the APAC co-chair of Women@Pluralsight, one of our Employee Resource Groups, where I work with a team of strong and talented women to lead strategy, events, and advocacy across the region.
And I’d love to give a shoutout to Colloquial Solutions - an incredible team I was lucky to join when I first moved to Australia. I worked as a Full Stack Engineer on their platform that helps organisations capture and visualise business knowledge to support better decision-making. It’s a brilliant product and absolutely worth checking out!
What do you do outside work?
Lately, you’ll find me at a local crag outdoor rock climbing or at the Illawarra Potters Studio throwing some clay. I’m a huge fan of live music and have been reconnecting with Celtic folk - this year’s highlight was a ‘trad rave’ at the National Folk Festival in Canberra! I also love the simple things - slow beach walks and (cold!) ocean pool dunks in the sun or under the stars. I'm so grateful to live in a place that allows me to enjoy all of this on my doorstep.
I’ve also recently started volunteering as a short term Puppy Carer for Assistance Dogs Australia. It has been so rewarding to be part of such a passionate community of people doing such valuable work - and the puppy snuggles are a real bonus!
You went from project managing programs in nonprofits to writing code full-time—what was the “aha” moment that made you take the leap into tech?
It was more of a gradual realisation, but one particular perspective shift stands out - I realised there are many ways to make an impact in the world, and it doesn’t have to be through charity work alone. I wanted to build tangible skills that would allow me to create tools or products that could enhance people’s lives, in any setting.
What’s your take on bootcamps and alternative pathways into software? What should people know going in?
The tech landscape has changed a lot since I did my bootcamp in 2022, and unfortunately, I think the barriers to entry for junior engineers have only grown. That said, I remain a huge advocate for alternative pathways into engineering. Traditional education often struggles to keep pace with how quickly tech evolves, whereas bootcamps are generally more agile and able to stay current.
Bootcamps can fast-track learning by focusing on core concepts in a hands-on environment - and when that’s followed by supported, entry-level roles, it creates real opportunities for both individuals and the industry. Greater diversity in tech brings fresh perspectives, sharper problem-solving, and stronger, more inclusive products. Part-time and sponsored programs are especially powerful in opening doors for people who might not otherwise have had the chance - myself included!
As for what people should know before diving in, I think this short video from my time at Skyscanner (who generously sponsored my bootcamp position) says it best.
What advice would you give to someone who’s nervous about applying for their first tech job after retraining?
Your unique background is your strength - it led you here for a reason and you will find your place here. Bring your curiosity and eagerness to learn - tech is always changing anyway! Take time to identify and communicate your transferable skills - often they’re the ones that are hardest to teach. You’ve got this!
Did your background in community-focused work give you any unexpected superpowers as a developer?
Absolutely. Technology is ultimately all about people, right?! I’ve found I am able to translate technical concepts into everyday language, which is invaluable when collaborating with support, design or product teams. I also bring facilitation skills from years of designing and delivering programmes - which can be helpful whether that’s leading retros or presenting at All Hands to share learning. My background in Sociology and Social Anthropology means I always try to consider a range of perspectives when designing and developing solutions.
Do you still see yourself as a program manager at heart—or has engineering fully taken over?
I think I’ve found a balance. Engineering has added new tools to my toolkit, but the core of what I do remains the same: designing people-centred solutions, learning from what works (and what doesn’t), and iterating to improve and drive change. These roles might look different on paper, but to me, they’re deeply connected.
You’ve worked remotely a fair bit—what’s your best tip for staying connected and visible in distributed teams?
Be curious about people’s lives beyond work, and share parts of your own that you’re comfortable with. Prioritise your own wellbeing - figure out what helps you stay grounded and connected, both to yourself and others, and integrate what works into your routine. You’ll find you can show up in a more present, and therefore visible, way.
You’re active in inclusion and accessibility—what does a genuinely inclusive tech team look like to you?
One that recognises accessibility needs are not just about our customers - they’re about our colleagues, leaders, and peers too. Inclusion starts with how we treat our teams. It’s about how we enable them to bring their full selves to work and empower them to do their best work, whatever that looks like for them.
What’s something small that made a big difference in your journey into tech?
It has to be my coaches and mentors. It was a huge shift to go from managing teams and national programs to being in a space where I was constantly learning and asking questions. It really challenged my confidence and sense of self-worth.. Having someone objective in my corner to remind me of my strengths and equip me with the tools to navigate the ups and downs was totally transformative.
Any podcast you are currently listening to, or a book you are reading?
A close friend recently introduced me to The Imperfects, an Australian podcast that explores life’s struggles and our ‘imperfections’. It’s a powerful reminder of how much strength there is in vulnerability. The hosts are thoughtful, funny and compassionate, and their guests share deeply human stories that are often raw, relatable, and unexpectedly uplifting.
What is your favourite tool or resource, and why?
I love when the Project F newsletter lands in my inbox. It’s full of bite-sized updates and insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. Their community, the F Factor, is also excellent - I recently went to one of their Sydney MeetUp events and it was incredibly inspiring, inclusive, and thought-provoking.
If you had unlimited resources and time, what would be your dream project to work on?
I’m really passionate about interior design - I believe the spaces we live, work, and play in shape our wellbeing more than we realise.
My dream project would be to build an accessible, digital platform that helps people reimagine and transform their spaces based on how they want to feel, not just how things look. It would guide users through thoughtful prompts about their needs, values, routines, sensory preferences, and accessibility requirements - and then generate personalised design suggestions that align with their lifestyle and budget.
The platform could also visualise ideas using simple 3D or AR tools, connect users with local and sustainable suppliers, help them plan and track their projects, and offer bite-sized learning for those who want to build design skills themselves.
Too often, interior design feels out of reach - overly expensive, overwhelming, or not made for people with diverse needs. I’d love to change that and make intentional, feel-good spaces something everyone can access.
Your one-sentence work-related advice
You get to carve your own path - take ownership of your journey, and advocate for yourself every step of the way.
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