At Shift5, technical depth and mission drive aren't separate qualities - they're what we look for when building our engineering team. Tom Mealey is what that looks like in practice.
Tom leads the On Vehicle Software Engineering team, building Shift5's data collection and processing capabilities at the edge. His team spans the full stack - high-performance application software, embedded systems, Linux kernel development, and FPGA firmware.
We sat down with Tom to learn more about his experience at Shift5.
“It’s rare to get the opportunity to tie all of these domains together,” he explained. “At Shift5, we’re not just working in one layer. We’re solving problems across the full stack.”
From Whiteboard to Production
Before Shift5, Tom spent time across the public and private sectors, including at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he led development of advanced sensing and radar systems. He came to Shift5 for the chance to own product development end-to-end.
“Within the past year, our team built two completely new products from the ground up that are now deployed on a major platform,” he said. “Looking back at where we started - whiteboarding architecture and prototyping - it’s incredible how quickly we were able to bring those ideas into production.”
Stepping Into Leadership
About a year and a half ago, Tom moved from individual contributor to manager, building a new team drawn from both hardware and software functions.
“I’d never managed before, so it was both exciting and daunting,” he shared.
His approach is a player-coach model - close enough to the technology to guide effectively, while giving his team room to own execution.
“Over time, I’ve learned that stepping back is just as important as stepping in. Enabling others to lead has made us stronger as a team.”
Creating a Team of Systems Thinkers
Unifying a team with backgrounds ranging from application layer to firmware isn't straightforward. Tom's answer was simple: build shared context.
The team runs a weekly standup for cross-workstream visibility and a pairing and sharing session where engineers go deep on each other's work.
“It’s helped us move from a group of specialists to a team of systems thinkers,” he said. “We understand not just our piece, but how everything connects.”
A Culture That Pushes Growth
Tom didn't hesitate when asked what’s made the biggest impact at Shift5.
“There’s a shared mindset here. High motivation, low ego, and a real sense of curiosity. You’re surrounded by people who push you to get better every day,” Tom noted.
That environment has shaped how he thinks about his own growth: “At a company this size, you have the opportunity to take ideas from concept all the way to production, and that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Outside the Office
Outside of work, Tom's focus is his three young kids.
“Most of my time goes to them,” he said. “But I still make time to unwind, whether that’s watching sports or jumping online once a week to play games with friends from college.”
Advice for Future Teammates
“Speak up,” Tom concluded. “Whether it’s technical ideas, product direction, or process improvements, this is a place where your voice matters. The people who lean into that are the ones who thrive.”
Interested in being part of the Shift5 team? View our current openings: shift5.io/careers/
