Divya Purushotham is a Director of Software Development leading the team that ensures our customers can easily purchase their next favorite listen, whether they found it on the Audible app or website, or on Amazon. And as a member of Audible’s employee-led Impact Group, Women in Tech (WiT), she’s actively inspiring and creating community with her colleagues, and opening doors for those who are earlier in their careers. Read more to learn why she finds working at Audible fulfilling and meaningful.

What is life like at the hub you are aligned to?

Our Newark hub is in a beautiful neighborhood with a rich cultural scene, including museums and the iconic Harriet Tubman Square. I love exploring with colleagues, whether that's grabbing lunch nearby, enjoying the outdoor spaces, or participating in community events. It's a place that feels alive and connected, and that energy carries into how my team and I collaborate and show up for each other.

How does your job contribute to Audible’s mission to surprise and delight listeners around the world?

I'm fortunate to lead an amazing, brilliant and deeply committed team of engineers who take pride and genuinely care about the impact of their work, which is removing friction between a listener and the story they're about to fall in love with. My team ensures that the moment a customer decides Yes, I want this, they’ll have a seamless experience, whether they’re on Amazon's website, Audible.com, or the Audible app for Android or iOS.

How does your team’s work affect listeners or colleagues across different markets worldwide?

The decisions we make when designing the buying experience have a direct impact on customers in the U.S., UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan and beyond. It means we have to think carefully about varying customer behaviors across markets.

We work closely with the Product team to enable rapid A/B testing and experimentation, so that decisions are grounded in real customer data. This ensures that what we build is not just technically sound, but continuously optimized for the listener experience across every market we serve. That global responsibility has made me a more thoughtful and empathetic leader.

Are you involved with any Impact Groups at Audible?

I'm an active member of Women in Tech (WiT) and helped with multiple events last year. I have participated in panel discussions on industry trends, which have sharpened how I think about the future of technology and the importance of representation in shaping it. I've also had the honor of participating in the Asians@ Audible panel alongside top leadership, a conversation that was both humbling and deeply affirming.

How do you find inspiration and support for your career, and how do you inspire and support others?

Being part of WiT has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience at Audible. As a mother of three, with a demanding schedule, I know how important it is to have a community. WiT is a space where I can be both a learner and a contributor, drawing energy from the stories and resilience of other women in tech while also showing up as a mentor and advocate for those who are earlier in their journeys.

Having a community that normalizes these conversations has been invaluable. I try to pay that forward by being visible and accessible to women on my team and across the organization, sharing my own story openly, and reminding them that there is no single blueprint for success in tech.

What has your career journey been like, both before and while at Audible?

My career journey has been anything but linear, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I've navigated pivots between industries, pursued an MBA while working, taken on roles that stretched me well beyond my comfort zone, and done all of it while raising three kids. There have been moments of doubt and exhaustion, and moments where I had to consciously choose growth over comfort.

When I joined Audible, I started on a team working to bring localized listening experiences to global customers, an experience that sharpened my ability to deliver at scale and navigate the complexity of bringing a product to life in entirely new markets. From there, I led a team managing the backend for promotions across all Audible surfaces, including launching a self-service promotions portal so teams could be more autonomous and not dependent on engineering.

I now lead the team designing and supporting the purchase experience across surfaces. My leaders at Audible have been unwavering in their support. They've given me the space to take on new challenges, trusted me with increasing responsibility, and shown up as genuine partners in my growth.

Were there any resources or supports Audible, a manager, or your colleagues provided that have helped you get where you are?

The Women in Tech (WiT) community has been a space to find mentors, share challenges honestly, and be reminded that a non-linear path is not a liability; it's a source of perspective and resilience. Audible's investment in continuous learning, supporting certifications, programs and development opportunities has also been instrumental in helping me stay sharp and grow into each new chapter.

Most of all, it's been the culture of belonging that has carried me through. Knowing that I can bring my full self to work — as a leader, a technologist, a mother and a community member — and that all of those parts of me are valued, has given me the confidence to keep reaching.

What are some community activities you’ve participated in? What do those experiences bring to you, personally?

On weekends, I lead a values-based character education class for kids in my local community. I also teach coding to middle-school girls through a community group. Watching young girls discover that technology is for them and that they belong in this space is incredibly powerful. As a woman in tech and a mother of two girls, I feel a personal responsibility to help open those doors early.

Through Audible, I’ve participated in food preparation and distribution with Franciscan Charities. There's something deeply humbling about being part of a chain of care that puts food on someone's table, and I'm grateful that Audible creates the space and culture for us to show up for our communities in this way.

These experiences remind me that leadership isn't confined to a sprint review or quarterly planning; it shows up in a classroom, a food pantry, and a community hall.

What are the benefits you find invaluable for your personal well-being, or that help make both your work life and personal life more fulfilling?

The benefits that matter most to me are the ones that acknowledge I am not just an employee. Empathy from leadership has been a game-changer, allowing me to be present for my kids while still showing up fully for my team. Audible's support for continuous learning has also been invaluable; I've been able to pursue certifications and programs like MIT's Applied Data Science Program. And the sense of community through Impact Groups, team events and Activate Caring initiatives adds a layer of well-being. Knowing that I work somewhere that invests in me as a professional and as a person makes all the difference.

What advice would you have for a candidate considering Audible?

Come curious and come ready to own. You can have real impact quickly if you bring initiative and a genuine love for the product. I'd encourage candidates to think about what excites them about audio, technology and storytelling, because that passion translates directly into the quality of the work.

Also, explore the community here. Impact Groups like Women in Tech (WiT) and Asians@ Audible are a testament to how seriously Audible takes belonging and inclusion. They're not just programs, they're living, breathing communities that make you feel seen and supported. Audible is a place where you don't have to choose between ambition and the rest of your life. If you're looking for a place where your work matters, your growth is supported, and you can show up as your full self, Audible is that place.

For people interested in working in tech at Audible, what’s one quality they need in order to succeed?

Customer obsession — genuinely and deeply caring about the end-to-end experience of the listener. Engineers who thrive here are the ones who can hold both technical complexity and customer empathy at the same time. Not only do they ask "does this work?" but "what is the impact?" That mindset, combined with a bias for ownership and a willingness to move fast while maintaining quality, is what will set you apart. 

Is there a woman (or women) whose professional career inspired your own journey?

Three women stand out. Sheryl Sandberg gave me language for my own experiences: her openness about the challenges women face in leadership and her call to lean in, even when it's uncomfortable, encouraged me to advocate for myself and others with real intention. Indra Nooyi is the most personally resonant: As a South Asian woman who rose to lead one of the world's most iconic companies without leaving her identity or values behind, she's shown me that authenticity and ambition aren't at odds. Last but not least, Marissa Mayer proved that a woman could lead at the very top of the tech world, which made it easier for women to see ourselves in those rooms. Together, they've shaped how I perceive leadership: bold and empathetic, ambitious and grounded.

Lightning Round!

Favorite genre? Self-development, biographies, and a good “whodunnit.”

Listening from a speaker or headphones? Headphones.

Favorite activity while listening? Walking and cooking.

Morning person or night owl? Honestly, both — it really depends on the task. 

Favorite snack? Savory Indian snacks, or dark chocolate, any time of the day.

What is your favorite listen?

Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey. It’s a uniquely immersive experience because Matthew McConaughey narrates it himself, with his Texas drawl, his pauses and laughter. It feels like a conversation with a friend.

See open Technology roles at Audible