$270 / month
Start free, decide later
You know how to deliver. Now you want to shape technical direction, lead bigger initiatives, and become someone others trust with the hardest decisions.
I help mid-level and senior software engineers make that transition—whether you're working toward a senior, staff, or tech lead role, or want to become more effective in the role you already have.
I'm a Staff Tech Lead Manager at Uber, working across mobile engineering, platform architecture, and technical leadership. I've led initiatives with multimillion-dollar business impact, built reusable foundations that help teams deliver faster, and improved performance at scale. What excites me most is turning ambiguous problems into clear technical direction—and helping engineers develop the judgment and ownership to lead that work themselves.
But what I'm most proud of is building teams and helping engineers become independent leaders: people who take ownership, make thoughtful decisions, support each other, and connect technical work to business outcomes.
That's the growth I want to help you achieve.
Our work together can focus on:
- Moving beyond implementation to owning ambiguous, high-impact problems.
- Developing architectural judgment and explaining trade-offs clearly.
- Leading across teams and influencing decisions without formal authority.
- Delegating, mentoring others, and creating space for your team to grow.
- Building a progression plan grounded in meaningful impact—not just a promotion checklist.
We'll work on your real challenges.
Have a project with unclear requirements? We'll explore how to define the problem, align stakeholders, and establish technical direction. Struggling to get support for a proposal? We'll examine both the engineering trade-offs and how you're communicating them. Taking on leadership but still solving everything yourself? We'll work on building ownership in others without losing accountability.
My style is direct, collaborative, and supportive. I'll challenge your assumptions, explain my reasoning, and give honest, actionable feedback. We'll set goals, revisit progress, and adjust as your responsibilities grow. The aim isn't to give you answers to every situation—it's to strengthen your judgment so you can navigate new ones independently.
Interview preparation can be part of that journey when you're ready for your next role. But the bigger goal is lasting growth: becoming capable of doing the work, not just passing the interview.
Ready to take the next step? Book an introductory call. We'll talk about where you are, the responsibilities you want to grow into, and what's holding you back. You don't need a perfect career plan—just a challenge or ambition you'd like to explore. Let's identify a practical starting point and see whether we're a good fit to work together.
You tell Martin your goals. They see exactly what you want to work on before session one.
You meet within days. Martin reviews your application and books your first session, usually within a day or two.
You leave with a plan. Concrete next steps and a weekly rhythm from your very first week.
Martin Ickowicz
Staff Tech Lead Engineering Manager at Uber
Enter your email and we'll let you know when Martin has open spots. You'll also get a link to manage your wishlist – no account needed.
Book a free intro call with Martin
Connect with Martin in a quick call (usually 15-20 minutes)
One-off sessions with Martin
One-off sessions are a great option if you're looking for specific advice on a certain topic.
An introductory call is a simple way to get to know a mentor before committing to ongoing mentorship. This session gives you the chance to …
Your resume often decides whether you get the interview or get overlooked. This MentorCruise session is designed to help you strengthen your resume so it …
A strong portfolio can open doors, but only if it clearly shows what you can do and why it matters. This MentorCruise session is designed …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get 30 minutes with a mentor to discuss your needs. Be it help with some code, discussing through an issue …
A good study plan does more than organize your time. It helps you focus on the right things, build momentum, and make steady progress without …
Sometimes the fastest way to grow is to get thoughtful feedback on the work you are already doing. This MentorCruise session is designed to help …
Career growth rarely happens by accident. This MentorCruise session is designed to help you build a clearer roadmap for where you want to go next …
Asking for a raise can feel uncomfortable, high stakes, and easy to get wrong. This MentorCruise session is designed to help you approach that conversation …
Great leadership is not just about managing people. It is about building trust, making better decisions, communicating clearly, and helping others do their best work. …
Interview preparation is about showing up with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of how to present your experience. This MentorCruise session is designed to …
Whatever doesn't fit the mold: Get a full hour with a mentor to discuss your needs. Be it help with coding something, deciding on a …
What's included in the trial?
Every trial is a little different–here's what Martin says about their trial:
Hi, welcome to your 7-day trial! Share your current role, your goals for the next 3–6 months, and one challenge you'd like help with. Bring a relevant proposal, project outline, or a few notes, with confidential details removed. We'll use our first call to explore your challenge, identify practical next steps, and set a clear direction for your growth. Book your first call through my calendar—I'm looking forward to getting started!