Aston Yao

Aston Yao

Senior Software Engineer • Melbourne, Australia

Interests

My interests all revolve around curiosity and craft. In tech, I’m drawn to generative AI and the creative edges of software development. In photography, I work with vintage film cameras to slow down and see differently. Running and cycling push me to chase persistence and exploration. Each of these teaches me something different: attention to detail, endurance, and problem-solving, and those lessons feed back into my work as an engineer.

Work Experience

I'm currently a Senior Software Engineer at Commonwealth Bank, where I work on AI-powered banking platforms and high-volume, real-time data pipelines. Previously, I spent several years consulting with DiUS, where I worked with clients including Kmart, Datarock, the University of Melbourne, a range of startups.

I enjoy the variety of problems in software engineering, from building mobile apps to architecting cloud systems on AWS. Recently, I've been fascinated by generative AI and how it's changing the way we build software.

Education

I studied Computer Science and Information Systems at the University of Sydney from 2013-2016. Computer Science gave me the technical foundation, while Information Systems taught me how technology actually works in the real world.

The standout course was Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in my third year. This was back in 2016 when AI wasn't the buzzword it is today, but learning those fundamentals has been invaluable for the work I'm doing now.

Hobbies

Film Photography: I shoot mostly with vintage cameras, my Mamiya 7 II, Leica M6 and a collection of others. There's something meditative about the process of shooting film. You have to slow down, think about each frame, and wait to see the results.

Cycling & Running: For me, movement is a form of meditation. Running strips life down to rhythm and breath, while cycling opens space for exploration and flow. Both teach patience, persistence, and presence.

Learning: I'm always experimenting with new technologies, whether it's a new framework, AI tools, or even analog techniques in photography. I believe staying curious is essential to growth.

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