How to become a 1% Software Engineer! IRL w Jason, Citadel, Two Sigma & other engineers
- Date
- 2024-07-13
- Location
- New York, NY, USA
- Host
- Headstarter Events
About this event
Most software engineers know how to work hard. Far fewer know how to improve in the ways that actually compound: sharper problem solving, better technical judgment, stronger communication, and a clearer understanding of what top-tier engineering looks like day to day. This event is designed for people who want to close that gap in a real, practical way by learning directly from engineers who have operated in highly competitive environments like Citadel, Two Sigma, and beyond. If you care about becoming the kind of engineer people trust with difficult systems, ambitious projects, and high-stakes decisions, this is the room to be in. You will get an in-person chance to hear how strong engineers think, what habits make the biggest difference over time, and how to build a career that stands out for substance, not just surface-level credentials. About the Event This is an in-person meetup in New York focused on one core question: what does it actually take to become a top 1% software engineer? Rather than vague motivation or recycled internet advice, the event centers on grounded insights from engineers with experience in demanding technical environments. Expect a format that blends learning with conversation. The goal is not just to sit through a talk and leave with a few generic notes. It is to create a space where attendees can hear concrete perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and connect with other ambitious engineers who are serious about improving. The title points to a high bar, and that is exactly what makes the event useful. This is not about chasing status for its own sake. It is about understanding the standards, habits, and decision-making patterns that separate solid engineers from exceptional ones. Because the event is in person, there is also a strong community and networking component. That matters. Some of the most valuable career and learning opportunities come from conversations after the formal session ends, when people trade stories, compare approaches, and build relationships with others on a similar path. What to Expect You can expect a focused morning built around ideas that ambitious engineers actually care about: technical growth, career progression, and the gap between being competent and being truly excellent. The event is likely to be especially valuable if you want to move beyond broad advice and understand how top engineers approach their craft. A typical experience at this kind of meetup may include: Perspectives on what differentiates high-performing software engineers from the rest Discussion around technical depth, execution, ownership, and problem-solving Insights into how strong engineers learn faster and improve more deliberately Real-world reflections on working in rigorous engineering cultures Opportunities for audience questions and direct interaction Time to meet fellow attendees interested in software, systems, and career growth You should also expect meaningful peer conversations. Not everyone attends at the same stage of their career, but the shared thread is seriousness: people who want to get better, think more clearly, and surround themselves with others who have similar standards. This is also a useful setting for asking the questions that are hard to answer from articles or videos alone. What should you optimize for early in your career? How do you build judgment, not just coding speed? What signals actually matter when strong teams evaluate engineers? Those discussions tend to be far more useful when they happen live, with room for nuance. Why Attend The biggest reason to attend is simple: exposure changes your standards. When you hear directly from engineers who have operated at a high level, you start to see the difference between activity and progress. You get a clearer sense of what skills deserve your energy, what habits are worth building, and what common traps slow people down. This event can help you sharpen both your technical and career thinking. You may leave with a better framework for evaluating your own growth, identifying weak spots, and deciding what to work on next. That is especially valuable if you have been putting in effort but feel unsure whether you are improving in the right direction. There is also the network effect. Being around thoughtful, motivated engineers in person can be a genuine accelerator. You may meet people who challenge your assumptions, share useful resources, offer hard-won perspective, or simply become part of your broader technical community in New York. Most importantly, the event is relevant whether your goal is landing stronger roles, becoming more effective in your current one, or raising your own bar as a builder. The core value is not hype. It is clarity: clearer standards, clearer next steps, and clearer insight into how top engineers actually develop. Practical Details This event takes place in person in New York, USA on Saturday, July 13 at 10:00 AM EDT. Since it is an in-person gathering, expect the experience to be more interactive and relationship-driven than a typical online session. A morning start makes this a good fit if you want to begin the weekend with something focused and energizing. It is worth planning to arrive a little early so you can settle in, meet a few people before things begin, and make the most of the networking side of the event. A few practical reasons to attend in person: Easier access to spontaneous conversations before and after the main session Better opportunities to ask nuanced questions and get context-rich answers A stronger sense of who is in the room and what others are working toward More memorable connections than you usually get from remote events If you are the kind of engineer who likes being around ambitious people, asking good questions, and leaving with ideas you can act on immediately, this meetup is built for that. Bring curiosity, bring specificity, and come ready to think seriously about what it takes to level up.
Who should attend
This is for engineers and aspiring engineers who want sharper standards, stronger judgment, and a clearer path to meaningful technical growth. - You are a **student, new grad, or early-career software engineer** trying to understand what top-tier engineering looks like beyond interview prep and coursework. - You already work in tech and want to **break out of “good enough” mode** by learning how stronger engineers approach learning, ownership, and execution. - You are aiming for **more competitive engineering roles** and want better insight into the mindset, habits, and signals that matter in high-performance environments. - You value **in-person conversations** and want to meet other ambitious people in New York who care deeply about software, systems, and long-term growth. - You learn best by hearing **real experiences and practical perspectives**, not generic productivity advice or motivational talk. - You are the kind of person who leaves events wanting **specific next steps**: what to improve, what to study, who to talk to, and how to raise your bar from here. If you are serious about becoming a better engineer and want to be in a room with people who take that goal seriously too, you will likely get a lot out of this.