Hanyu Tang
Senior Software Engineer
Monday, 8 September 2025
Could you please introduce yourself?
I’m a Senior Software Engineer at DuckDuckGo, currently focus on iOS. Before that, I worked at Yelp across iOS, full-stack web, and backend systems.
Whats your background?
My background is in Human–Computer Interaction and Educational Technology. I also studied the humanities, including history, philosophy, and anthropology
Whats your current role?
Senior Software Engineer
Why have you decided to learn to code?
I’ve always loved building things starting with Lego blocks as a kid, then experimenting with PowerPoint slides, and eventually moving into coding. For me, code is a way to express ideas and turn them into something that I can interact with.
Do you think its important to learn to code?
Yes, and more than ever. It's true that generative AI can write code, but to collaborate effectively with it, we need to understand the ‘why’ behind the code. That foundation is what allows you to guide and work with the AI, validate its output, and build reliable systems with it.
Do you feel the tech industry is male dominated? How can we encourage more women into the industry?
The tech industry has historically been male-dominated, but it’s slowly shifting with the help of organizations like GirlCode. To change this we need to create more opportunities and supportive environments where women can showcase their talent without judgement-free
Did you struggle being a woman in the tech industry yourself?
I’ve been very fortunate to have supportive family, friends, mentors, and colleagues from the very beginning. Their encouragement has helped me get to where I am today. That’s also why I want to give back and support more women in tech through a variety of platforms.
Whats the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your tech career so far?
Rewarding:
Working on features that directly improve accessibility and inclusivity. Knowing that my work helped make technology more usable for a wider range of people has been incredibly meaningful. It showed me how engineering work can make this world a better place for all.
Challenging:
Navigating complex projects with multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and evolving requirements. It pushed me to grow not just technically, but also in communication, prioritization, and keeping the team aligned. Looking back, those challenges were also the most valuable for my growth.