Engineer To Head Of Product: A Ground Up Journey

How does one go from writing code to shaping product vision at scale?

In this candid and career-focused Ask Me Anything session, Ayush Gupta, Head of Products at Jio Platforms Limited, shares the story behind his transformation from starting as an engineer to rising into a strategic product leadership role at some of India’s most impactful companies.With a rich background spanning product roles at Flipkart,Tesco, Walmart, Landmark Group, and Jio, Ayush will share key moments that shaped his transition into product management and the growth that followed.

This session isn’t about textbook frameworks, it's about lived experience. Ayush will walk us through the key turning points in his journey: the leap from engineering into product, the steep learning curve of early PM roles, the lessons earned through failures and pivots, and what it truly takes to grow into a product leader in fast-moving, high-impact environments.

Designed for aspiring and mid-career product professionals, this session will offer rare, behind-the-scenes insights into the real path to product leadership, the mindset shifts, the strategic bets, and the personal growth that happens in between.

​3 Key Takeaways:

• Behind the scenes of a real growth story
• Key mindset shifts from engineer to product manager
• ​Real-world strategies for transitioning into product management

​**Please Note: If attending in person is not feasible, please register to join the session live via Zoom
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/w-CsA5KYQ824pcJP5IG9Nw
Meeting ID : 854 2142 7372

About the speaker:
Ayush Gupta is a dynamic product and technology leader with over 17 years of experience driving large-scale innovation across some of the world’s most prominent companies. Currently serving as Head of Product at Jio Platforms Limited, Ayush leads the vision and execution behind high-impact digital retail initiatives like TIRA and Swadesh, shaping the future of omnichannel commerce for Reliance Retail.

Ayush began his career in software engineering and gradually transitioned into product management, where he found his passion for solving complex user problems at scale. His journey spans top organizations including Flipkart, Walmart Global Tech, Tesco, Philips, Target, and AirAsia, where he played critical roles in building 0-to-1 products and delivered impact across domains like e-commerce, search and discovery, monetization, and digital experience.

He has successfully managed global product portfolios, worked across India and Southeast Asia, and played a pivotal role in digital transformation projects in both startup and enterprise environments. Ayush is also an executive education alumnus of MIT and Kellogg, underscoring his commitment to lifelong learning and strategic leadership.