Kunal Shah’s Career Journey: From Software Engineer to Leading Product at eBay
From debugging a missing semicolon to leading product strategy at eBay, Kunal Shah’s journey highlights how deliberate career shifts can lead to exponential growth.
Meet Kunal Shah, a former software developer who successfully transitioned into product management, navigating multiple industries and evolving from a hands-on engineer to a Lead Product Manager at eBay.
In this exclusive CareerGrowthX feature, Kunal shares:
How a single frustrating bug made him rethink his entire career path.
Why he took a study leave instead of quitting outright before pivoting to product management.
The key skills that helped him transition from engineering to product strategy.
How he leverages structured thinking and customer insights to build impactful products.
His advice for aspiring product managers looking to break into the field today.
Snapshot
Kunal Shah’s career began in Ichalkaranji, a small town in Maharashtra, where he pursued a degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Like many fresh graduates, he started as a software developer, gaining hands-on experience in coding and software development.
However, a frustrating debugging experience made him rethink his career direction. He realized that he was more interested in the business and strategy side of technology rather than just writing code. To bridge the gap, he pursued a Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where he developed a strong foundation in product thinking.
His transition into Product Management started at Intuit, where he worked as an onsite coordinator, balancing technical problem-solving with customer insights. This role helped him gain a broader perspective, leading to product management roles at ThoughtWorks and eventually eBay, where he now focuses on product strategy and execution.
Over the years, Kunal has delivered more than 12 products, generating over $50 million in incremental revenue, saving companies $20 million in operational costs, and influencing over $1 billion in sales. His career shift wasn’t a sudden leap but a series of deliberate steps, each helping him refine his skills and move closer to product leadership.
Check out the Deep Dive section for a detailed look at his career journey.
Career Highlights
Started Career as a Software Developer (2007-2010):
Developed and maintained software solutions, gaining hands-on experience in coding, debugging, and problem-solving.Realized Interest in Product Management & Pursued Master’s at Carnegie Mellon University (2010-2012):
Pivoted from software development to a business-technology intersection, specializing in Information Technology and Management.Transitioned into Product-Focused Role at Intuit (2012-2014):
Worked as an onsite coordinator, bridging the gap between engineering teams and customer needs, leading to deeper exposure to product management.First Official Product Management Role at ThoughtWorks (2014-2016):
Led cross-functional teams to deliver data-driven product solutions, focusing on customer insights and business impact.Joined eBay as a Product Manager (2016-Present):
Progressed into a Lead Product Manager role, overseeing high-impact projects, influencing multi-million-dollar revenue, and driving strategic product decisions.
Kunal’s career has been shaped by deliberate transitions, each step refining his expertise in product strategy, customer insights, and business impact.
Career Growth X Factor
Kunal Shah attributes his career growth to two key qualities: structured thinking and customer obsession.
Structured Thinking: Kunal believes that developing a clear, logical approach to problem-solving has been crucial in his transition from engineering to product management. By applying frameworks like MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) and continuously refining his ability to prioritize and make trade-offs, he has been able to lead complex product decisions with confidence.
Customer Obsession: Throughout his career, Kunal has emphasized the importance of deeply understanding customer needs. Whether at Intuit, ThoughtWorks, or eBay, his ability to empathize with users and translate their challenges into impactful product solutions has set him apart. He believes that focusing on customer pain points—not just business goals—creates long-term success.
By combining these two qualities, Kunal has been able to navigate career transitions, influence high-impact product strategies, and establish himself as a leader in product management.
Deep Dive - Career conversation
Kunal Shah’s journey from a small-town software developer to a product leader at eBay offers a practical and insightful look at career growth in the tech industry. His story is one of deliberate transitions, continuous learning, and strategic thinking—qualities that have shaped his career trajectory over the past 18 years.
In this CareerGrowthX conversation, Kunal shares his career journey in depth—discussing pivotal moments, transitions, and the insights that have helped him navigate the path from software engineering to product leadership.
Hello Kunal! Can you introduce yourself and share what you do?
Sure! I’m currently a lead product manager at eBay, where I focus on product strategy, customer insights, and business impact. Over my career, I have delivered more than 12 products across cloud communications, e-commerce, and payments. These products have generated over $50 million in incremental revenue, saved companies over $20 million in operational costs, and influenced upwards of $1 billion in sales.
At eBay, my primary responsibility is to develop high-impact product strategies, working closely with engineering, design, data science, and business teams. My role requires me to think beyond just feature development—I prioritize initiatives that balance customer needs, business goals, and market trends while ensuring we allocate resources effectively.
You started as a software developer. What led you to explore opportunities beyond coding?
I started my career in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra, with a degree in computer science and engineering from DKTE Textile and Engineering College, affiliated with Shivaji University. Like most fresh graduates, I joined Persistent Systems as a software developer and spent my time coding and debugging.
However, about two years into my role, I had a defining moment. I spent three days debugging an issue caused by a missing semicolon, and that frustration made me reflect on what I truly enjoyed. While I liked problem-solving, I realized that I was more interested in understanding how products were built, why certain features mattered, and how business decisions influenced technology.
That realization set me on a path to explore product management, where I could work at the intersection of technology, business, and user experience.
What were your next steps after realizing that software development wasn’t your long-term career path?
I wanted to make a structured transition, so I decided to pursue a master’s in information technology and management at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). It was a big decision—leaving a stable job for further studies involved risk.
To manage that risk, I opted for a study leave from Persistent Systems instead of resigning outright. This ensured that I had a fallback option in case things didn’t work out as planned.
At CMU, I focused on subjects like data analytics, business models, and customer-driven innovation, which helped me think beyond technical execution. I also developed structured thinking and decision-making skills, which are crucial for a product manager.
How did you land your first opportunity in a product-focused role?
After completing my master’s, I joined Intuit as an onsite coordinator, which wasn’t a direct product management role but was a great stepping stone.
This role gave me exposure to:
Customer interactions – I worked directly with users, understanding their challenges and translating them into product improvements.
Business and engineering alignment – I learned to balance technical feasibility with business objectives.
Data-driven decision-making – Prioritizing product features based on impact rather than engineering effort.
This experience reinforced my interest in product management and helped me transition into a formal PM role later.
What was your first official product management role, and what did you learn from it?
My first official product manager role was at ThoughtWorks. It was a significant transition because I had to shift my mindset from execution to leadership—moving beyond delivering features to owning product strategy.
Some key lessons from this role:
Making data-driven decisions – Ensuring every product feature had a strong rationale backed by insights.
Managing stakeholders effectively – Balancing the perspectives of designers, engineers, and business leaders while keeping customer needs at the center.
Developing customer-first solutions – Prioritizing problems that had the most impact rather than just focusing on what was easy to build.
This role shaped my approach to structured thinking, stakeholder management, and product prioritization, which were essential as I moved to larger-scale roles.
What led you to join eBay, and how did your role evolve there?
In 2016, I joined eBay as a product manager, drawn by the opportunity to work on global-scale products that drive business growth. Over the years, my role evolved, and I transitioned into a lead product manager position.
At eBay, my focus has been on:
Developing high-impact product strategies – Ensuring we solve the right problems for both users and the business.
Prioritizing ruthlessly – Deciding where to invest resources for maximum impact.
Leading teams and mentoring – Helping junior PMs develop structured thinking and problem-solving skills.
One of the biggest challenges in a company like eBay is navigating scale and complexity. Every product decision affects a massive ecosystem of buyers and sellers, so trade-offs need to be carefully evaluated. My role has been to ensure that we build the right things, at the right time, in the right way.
What does a typical day look like for you as a lead product manager?
Every day is a mix of strategy, execution, and leadership. Some key areas of focus:
Prioritization – Evaluating product opportunities and ensuring we focus on high-impact work.
Stakeholder management – Aligning with engineering, design, business, and external partners.
Customer insights & data analysis – Reviewing user feedback and market data to guide decision-making.
Mentorship – Coaching junior product managers on structured thinking and product strategy.
Trade-off decision-making – Choosing which features to build, delay, or drop altogether.
Despite all of this, customer obsession remains at the core of my decision-making process.
If you were starting over today, how would you approach your career differently?
Looking back, I feel I spent 3–4 extra years in engineering before realizing that product management was my true calling. If I had to do it again, I would:
Spend one year in engineering – To build a solid technical foundation.
Transition into product management faster – Moving into a business analyst or technical product manager role early on.
Leverage online resources & side projects – Today, there are so many ways to develop PM skills without waiting for a job opportunity.
What skills should aspiring product managers focus on developing?
If I had to highlight four key skills:
Customer obsession – Always start with real user problems.
Structured thinking – Learn frameworks like MECE to break down problems.
Communication – Both written and verbal skills are crucial for stakeholder management.
Technical awareness – You don’t need to code, but you should understand system architecture and trade-offs.
Engage and Grow
Kunal Shah’s career path—from software engineering to product leadership—provides valuable insights for aspiring product managers and tech professionals. His journey highlights the importance of structured thinking, customer obsession, and strategic decision-making. Here are some resources he recommends for those looking to grow in product management:
Frameworks suggested: MECE for structured problem-solving and clear decision-making, and Impact vs. Effort for effective prioritization and trade-off decisions in fast-paced product environments.
Blog ‘Do Things That Don't Scale by Paul Graham by Paul Graham’ – A must-read for PMs looking to transition from execution to strategy.
Perplexity AI and ChatGPT – For streamlining research, gathering data-driven insights, brainstorming ideas, structuring thoughts, and improving written communication for product specs and stakeholder updates.
Where to find Kunal?
Key Takeaways from Kunal Shah’s Career Journey
For aspiring product managers and tech professionals, Kunal Shah’s journey offers valuable insights into career growth, strategic thinking, and making intentional transitions. Here are some key lessons from his experience:
Find what drives you early – Kunal realized early in his career that coding alone wasn’t his passion. If you’re unsure about your career path, experiment with different roles and focus on what truly excites you.
Make smart, calculated Career moves – Instead of abrupt career shifts, Kunal strategically transitioned into product management by leveraging his engineering background, pursuing a Master’s, and gaining experience in a hybrid role.
Develop Structured Thinking – Breaking down problems using frameworks like MECE and prioritizing effectively helped Kunal grow into a leadership role. Mastering structured thinking is crucial for product managers.
Customer Obsession is Key – Whether in engineering or product management, understanding customer pain points and focusing on real user problems drives impactful solutions and long-term success.
Leverage every Role to build Skills – You don’t need a formal PM title to start thinking like a product manager. Look for opportunities in your current role to analyze business problems, interact with customers, and take ownership of projects.
Use AI to work smarter – Kunal emphasizes tools like Perplexity AI and ChatGPT to speed up research, improve decision-making, and enhance productivity in product management.
Kunal’s journey proves that career growth isn’t about overnight success but about taking deliberate steps, staying adaptable, and continuously refining your skills.
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Final words
Abhilash here—I hope you found this story as insightful as I did! I’ll be sharing more real and practical career journeys like this through CareerGrowthX.
If you know someone with an inspiring career path—one that involved career pivots, overcoming challenges, personal growth, or meaningful impact—or if that someone is you, feel free to nominate them.
See you in the next story.