Sam Jamshidi
Technical Builder Transitioning to Product Management
Professional Summary
Technical builder with strong product instincts seeking to transition into product management. In just one month of coding, shipped 25+ interconnected developer tools that solve real workflow problems. Demonstrates natural product thinking through user-centric design, ecosystem-level planning, and innovative business model development. Combines rapid technical execution with systems thinking and user experience focus.
Seeking: Entry-level Product Manager roles where technical depth and execution speed can accelerate product development.
Product-Relevant Strengths
Problem Identification & Solution Design
- Consistently identifies friction points in workflows and builds elegant solutions
- Created comprehensive ecosystem of tools that work together rather than in isolation
- Thinks beyond individual features to platform-level strategy and user journeys
Rapid Prototyping & Execution
- Built and shipped 25+ production-quality tools in one month
- Demonstrates ability to move quickly from concept to working product
- Technical skills enable immediate validation of product ideas without dependencies
User Experience Focus
- Designs sophisticated terminal UIs with modern interaction patterns
- Balances power-user needs with accessibility and discoverability
- Creates consistent design language across entire product portfolio
Systems & Platform Thinking
- Built foundational infrastructure (autocd-go) that enables entire ecosystem
- Created distribution platform (yanked) solving adoption challenges
- Innovated on business models with Coffee License for sustainable open source
Business Model Innovation
- Developed “Coffee License” - new approach to open source monetization
- Understands relationship between technical constraints and business viability
- Thinks about go-to-market and adoption from first principles
Technical Portfolio (Product Lens)
Platform Infrastructure
- autocd-go - Solved 50-year Unix limitation, created foundation for ecosystem of navigation tools
- yanked - Universal package manager addressing distribution challenges for developer tools
Developer Productivity Suite
- ql - Command launcher with templates, demonstrates understanding of power-user workflows
- pda - note quick capture with search
- mkmd - Text editor optimized for large files with sophisticated UX
File Management Tools
- powpow - .note note browser
- cdf - Directory-focused fuzzy finder, faster than file-based alternatives
Complete portfolio demonstrates consistent product thinking across 25+ tools
Technical Foundation
Programming: Go (systems programming), Python (rapid prototyping)
Platforms: Cross-platform development for Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD
Product Technologies: Terminal UIs, CLI design, package management, developer tools
Architecture: Interface-driven design, performance optimization, testing strategy
Technical depth enables rapid product iteration and realistic constraint analysis
Natural Product Instincts
User-Centric Design
- Builds tools to solve problems I personally experience, ensuring real user value
- Iterates based on actual usage patterns rather than theoretical requirements
- Balances sophistication with simplicity in user interfaces
Ecosystem Thinking
- Designs tools that complement each other rather than compete
- Creates platforms that enable others to build solutions
- Thinks about user journeys across multiple touchpoints
Distribution & Adoption
- Understands friction points in tool discovery and installation
- Built package manager specifically to reduce adoption barriers
- Designed business model that encourages usage while remaining sustainable
Professional Development
Self-Directed Product Building (2025–Present)
- Advanced from first program to shipping 25+ tools in one month through systematic approach
- Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and execute at production quality
- Built complete solutions including documentation, testing, and user experience design
Educational Foundation
- NODET (Iran’s National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents)
- Strong algorithmic thinking and problem-solving foundation
- C, C++, C# background providing systems understanding
Why I Want Product Management
Natural Fit with Existing Strengths
- Already think about user problems, market gaps, and elegant solutions
- Technical background enables rapid prototyping and realistic roadmap planning
- Demonstrated ability to execute end-to-end from concept to adoption
Value I Can Bring
- Bridge user needs with engineering constraints more effectively than non-technical PMs
- Rapidly prototype and validate product concepts
- Credibly lead technical product discussions while maintaining user focus
- Move fast from idea to working software, accelerating product development cycles
Growth Areas I’m Excited About
- Learning formal user research methodologies
- Developing stakeholder management and communication skills
- Understanding go-to-market strategy and business metrics
- Leading teams rather than individual execution
What I’m Looking For
- Entry-level PM roles where technical execution speed is valued
- Technical product environments where engineering context helps
- Fast-moving teams that appreciate rapid iteration and shipping
- Mentorship opportunities to develop formal product management skills
Ready to channel technical execution ability and product instincts into driving product success for a team