Nicholas C. Zakas
Career and leadership coach for software engineers and tech leads
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $250 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | Tech careersPromotions and advancementLeadership developmentExecutive presence and communicationTech and engineering leaders |
| Works with | Engineers and Professionals |
| Also coaches | Executive coach |
| Based in | Massachusetts, United States |
| Sessions | Online |
| Practice | Human Who Codes |
Nicholas C. Zakas is a coach for software engineers who want to move up the technical leadership track. He has been a software engineer for over 16 years and was a principal engineer at Yahoo and Box. He has led distributed teams in multiple countries and worked through two IPOs. He created ESLint, a tool with millions of daily downloads. He coaches tech leads, staff engineers, architects and CTOs remotely.
What Nicholas helps with
Nicholas helps engineers handle the leadership, organization and communication sides of senior technical work. He also helps them plan promotions and set goals.
- Getting a promotion to a higher engineering level
- Leading peers and managers without formal authority
- Handling difficult conversations at work
- Managing time to finish work within 40 hours a week
- Adapting the engineering role to work with AI
- Defining goals when none are clear
- Carrying out a technical vision
Who Nicholas works with
Nicholas works with current and aspiring tech leads, staff and above engineers, architects and CTOs. Some clients come through their employer, which makes it easier to discuss work covered by NDAs. He also works directly with individuals.
How Nicholas works
Sessions run 50 minutes by remote call, every other week, for at least 12 weeks. Clients get a private Slack channel between calls for questions. Each client arrives with topics to discuss, and Nicholas helps set goals if there are none. Clients can also pick a coaching track, such as AI and the engineer's role, productivity and time management, or leading without authority.
Background and qualifications
Nicholas has been a software engineer for over 16 years. He has worked at companies from a tiny bootstrapped startup to a multinational corporation, in Massachusetts and California. He was a principal engineer at Yahoo and Box and an architect at two Silicon Valley companies. He has led distributed teams in multiple countries and consulted for several companies on site and remotely. He has been through two IPOs, a company shutdown and layoffs at two other companies. He has written programming books and spoken at conferences worldwide.
Nicholas C. Zakas pricing
Programs and services
- One-on-one remote coaching, 50 minutes every other week
- Private Slack channel between calls
- Coaching tracks on AI, productivity, and leading without authority
- Coaching paid for through an employer
Nicholas C. Zakas reviews
The CoachVouch take
He is a former principal engineer at Yahoo and Box who created ESLint, and he coaches engineers on the path he took himself.
Best for tech leads and staff engineers who want a promotion or stronger leadership skills.
Common questions
How much does Nicholas C. Zakas charge?
Coaching with Nicholas runs $130 to $250 an hour. Message Nicholas from this page for an exact quote.
What does Nicholas C. Zakas help with?
Nicholas C. Zakas helps with getting a promotion to a higher engineering level, leading peers and managers without formal authority, handling difficult conversations at work and managing time to finish work within 40 hours a week.
Does Nicholas C. Zakas coach online?
Nicholas is based in Massachusetts, United States. Sessions are online.
Can Nicholas work with my employer?
Yes. He prefers to work with the employer, which makes NDA topics easier to cover. He also works directly with individuals and keeps talks free of NDA conflicts.
How long does coaching with Nicholas last?
Coaching runs at least 12 weeks with 50 minute remote calls every other week. A private Slack channel is open between calls.
How do I contact Nicholas C. Zakas?
Send Nicholas a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.