Shalindra Fernando is a Director of Software Engineering at Audible, where his team works to build the products that let creators, authors and narrators turn books into audiobooks. He loves working from our hub in Los Angeles, near where he grew up, as he helps creators get their voices out there while offering listeners even more storytelling to love.

What is life like at the hub you’re aligned to?

I'm out in sunny Los Angeles at our Culver Studios campus. It's a big campus that houses Amazon Video, Amazon Music and Twitch, among others, and there's a lot of history to the lot itself. And many of our events get to blend together. Just a few months ago, John Legend filmed his episode for the Amazon Prime show based on Audible’s Words + Music, and I was lucky enough to be there. Being at an epicenter of entertainment is a great perk, and so is being surrounded by all the food and culture of Culver City.

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

My work directly shapes how creators bring audiobooks to Audible. An author with an ebook comes to ACX to find a narrator partner, run the full production, and track it all the way through to going live on Audible. Knowing that we're helping people get their voice out there is a tremendous source of inspiration for me and my team.

What has your career journey at Audible been like?

I joined Audible after six years at Amazon Music, where I led engineering teams working on publisher royalties and music label reporting. I started out in San Francisco, and by my last year, I was based in the Los Angeles location, where Audible has a hub. After talking through opportunities with Audible leaders, I joined a growing team here. I'm originally from the L.A. area, so it was great to be back home near family.

How do you draw inspiration from culture and technology?

My wife and I love traveling with our kids to experience different cultures. The boys are still small, but I think it’s important to get perspectives from people you don't normally talk to. I think that helps you be more balanced. On the technology side, I'm fascinated by AI, where it's headed and how it's changing the way we live and work. I try to keep up with the latest developments because our kids are going to grow up in a world we can't really picture yet.

Have you participated in any community impact activities through Audible? What do those experiences bring to you, personally?

There’s no shortage of ways to get involved, and I try to say “yes” whenever I can. I've packed food supplies for Amazon's Every Plate Matters campaign and put together clothing care packages at Baby2Baby for new parents who need them. I've also done mock interviews with people interested in tech careers. A colleague and I were invited to Culver City High School to talk with faculty and fellow industry folks about designing a tech curriculum that would get kids onto a STEM path — that one stuck with me because I grew up around here. I feel lucky to have the life I have. I don't take it for granted, so I help however I can. 

Other than the people, what do you love most about the culture here?

What I love most is the reach of the work. We feel that every day and don't take it for granted. We get to build on Amazon's technology while staying true to the culture Audible was founded on in 1995. The work isn't always easy, but between the people I work with and the support from leadership, we go into ambiguous problems believing we can solve them. As an engineer, that matters a lot.

Can you share an example of a time when you received customer feedback that was meaningful to you?

Usually when I tell someone I work at Audible, it's followed by “Oh, I love Audible!” We held an event this past year where we connected with our creator communities, and I got to speak directly with creators who've been using our products to make audiobooks, some of them for more than 10 years. They were all so appreciative of the work we've done to empower them to build successful careers doing what they love.

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?

With a six-year-old and a three-year-old, my wife and I have a hectic schedule outside of work. The flexibility Audible offers and the support from my leadership are what let me keep a healthy work-life harmony. On top of that, there's the quarterly health and wellness stipend, mental health days and free lunch — benefits I haven't seen at a lot of other companies.

What made you choose to work at Audible, what made you want to stay?

I'm passionate about digital media, whether that's movies, music or audiobooks, so Audible was a natural fit. Working on systems with wide reach and real customers on the other end is what gives the work meaning for me. What's kept me here is the people. When everyone is swimming in the same direction on a project, the work is enjoyable, and that matters most when challenges come up.

What is your favorite listen?

I'll listen to just about any sci-fi title Ray Porter narrates. I re-listened to Project Hail Mary before the movie came out, and right now I'm on book five of the Bobiverse series, Not Till We Are Lost.

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