Open sourcing LinkedIn's Derived Data Platform | Felix GV (LinkedIn)

Open sourcing LinkedIn's Derived Data Platform | Felix GV (LinkedIn)

Author: Ronak Nathani, Guang Yang November 28, 2023 Duration: 1:01:09

What's it like to open source an internal project at a big tech company like LinkedIn? When should a company open source a project and what are the benefits and challenges that come along with it? If you want to open source an internal project, how should you go about advocating for it?

Félix is a Principal Staff Engineer at LinkedIn where he works on the data infrastructure team that builds Venice. Venice is a distributed derived data store which LinkedIn open sourced in the fall of 2022.

He joins the show to chat about his experiences leading the open source efforts for Venice, as well as his thoughts on balancing leadership with execution, delegating responsibility and fostering a culture of ownership, and growth within a team.

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Show Notes:

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Segments:

[0:01:36] Introduction 

[0:02:32] Career Choices and Job Satisfaction 

[0:08:34] Understanding Venice: LinkedIn's Distributed Derived Data Store 

[0:22:37] The Journey of Open-Sourcing Venice 

[0:26:36] Understanding the Business Perspective of Open Source Systems 

[0:30:28] How and when to advocate for open-sourcing an internal project 

[0:39:32] Challenges and Strategies in Open Source Project Maintenance 

[0:46:40] Balancing Leadership and Execution in Engineering Roles


Behind every line of code, there's a person with a story, and that's where Software Misadventures finds its pulse. Hosts Ronak Nathani and Guang Yang pull up a chair with engineers, founders, and investors, but the conversation rarely stays in the technical manual. Instead, it wanders into the human territory of career detours, hard-won insights, and those unpredictable stumbles that often teach the most. This podcast is built on the idea that the journey is just as important as the destination, especially in the fast-moving tech world. You'll hear guests recount the projects that went sideways, the decisions they'd rethink, and the moments of clarity that emerged from the chaos. It’s a refreshingly honest look at the industry, emphasizing that expertise isn't just about what you build, but what you learn when things don't go as planned. Tune in for conversations that are less about perfect solutions and more about the real, sometimes messy, process of creating with technology. Each episode offers a blend of professional wisdom and personal narrative, making it a compelling listen for anyone curious about the lives woven into our digital landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

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