As a software engineer lead at Plaid, Max Johnson is responsible for leading a team that works on one of the company's new product initiatives. He helps create a long-term technical strategy and provides feedback to ensure everyone is aligned. Max believes in creating an inclusive culture where his team feels comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work and feeling proud of their impact at Plaid. The company values transparency, self-awareness, and reflection, which Max credits for his own growth as an engineer. He praises the company's collaborative culture and diverse teams, noting that it allows him to grow both personally and professionally. With over 900 people in the organization, Max has seen significant changes since joining five years ago, including a shift from scrappy individual work to more ambitious product efforts. Throughout his career, Max has learned the importance of self-reflection, which he believes is crucial for growth and developing meaningful conversations with peers. When not working, Max enjoys hiking, electronic music, and learning new skills, such as coding and songwriting.