Tommy Chheng
Head of Engineering, Speak
San Francisco, CA, United States
Professional Overview
Tommy Chheng is the Head of Engineering at Speak, a leading technology company in San Francisco. With over 15 years of experience in the tech industry, he has established himself as a seasoned engineering leader with a strong track record of driving innovation and delivering high-impact projects.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Head of Engineering at Speak, Tommy is responsible for leading the company's engineering team and overseeing the development, implementation, and optimization of Speak's core technology solutions. He is instrumental in setting the technical strategy, ensuring efficient and scalable engineering practices, and fostering a collaborative and high-performing engineering culture.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Tommy held several senior-level engineering positions, including Senior Director of Engineering at WeWork, where he led a team of over 50 engineers and played a pivotal role in the company's global expansion and technology transformation. He has also served as the Director of Engineering and Senior Engineering Manager at WeWork, as well as the Head of Engineering at Beenest, a startup focused on the shared-living industry.
Earlier in his career, Tommy held engineering roles at companies like Tumblr, Yahoo, and Qwiki, where he demonstrated his technical expertise and problem-solving skills. He also co-founded Tempo, a startup focused on productivity and time management tools.
Academic Background
Tommy holds a Master of Science (MS) degree in Computer Science, with a specialization in Machine Learning and Search, from the University of California, Irvine. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Computer Engineering from the University of California, San Diego.
Areas of Expertise
- Engineering leadership and team management
- Scalable and robust system design
- Agile software development methodologies
- Machine learning and data-driven solutions
- Cloud infrastructure and DevOps
- Cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management
Professional Impact
During his tenure at WeWork, Tommy played a pivotal role in the company's global expansion, leading the engineering team responsible for developing and scaling the technology infrastructure to support the company's rapid growth. He introduced agile practices, improved engineering efficiencies, and delivered innovative solutions that enhanced the user experience for WeWork's members.
At Beenest, Tommy's technical leadership and strategic vision were instrumental in developing and launching the company's shared-living platform, which disrupted the traditional housing market and provided a unique solution for urban professionals.
Conclusion
With his extensive experience, technical expertise, and proven leadership skills, Tommy Chheng is poised to drive the continued success of Speak's engineering efforts. His ability to navigate complex challenges, foster collaborative teams, and deliver impactful technology solutions makes him a valuable asset to the company and the broader tech industry.