David Byron Drake
Senior Engineering Manager at New Relic
Building teams, writing software, and finding the words for a more intentional life.
I'm a Senior Engineering Manager at New Relic, a former CEO / CTO, and a hands-on builder. My work has taken me from startups to engineering management, with a consistent focus on high-trust teams and systems that scale with empathy and precision.
For more than 19 years, I've been writing about the intersection of ambition, technology, and modern life. My work has reached hundreds of thousands of readers and appeared in Sky News and The Huffington Post. With a background that bridges Theatre and Computer Science, I bring both performance and precision to my work — comfortable on stage, in front of a camera, or deep in a terminal.
My writing lives at randomdrake.com.
I'm also an avid home cook who finds stillness in the kitchen. I live in Oregon with my wife and daughter. Lover of good humans, strong coffee, and the outdoors. Lifelong learner. Former actor. Science nerd with a Commodore 64 tattoo.
Leadership & Craft
How I approach engineering
Good engineering is as much about people as it is about code. I care about clear communication, thoughtful technical decisions, and giving people the trust and context to do their best work.
Teams built on trust
Empathy, honest feedback, and room to grow. Sustainable delivery starts with people who feel supported and understand why their work matters.
A builder's perspective
From full-stack applications to cloud infrastructure, I stay close to the craft. Time in a terminal keeps my leadership grounded in the work.
AI with intention
I explore how AI can expand human capability and preserve agency. Curiosity and practical experimentation guide how I build with these tools.
GitHub Dashboard
Real-time analytics across my open-source work — language breakdowns, commit activity, CI/CD pipeline runs, and Claude API integration metrics. A live window into how I build with human-AI collaboration.
Live
Commit Feed
Multi
Language Analytics
Claude
API Metrics
CI/CD
Pipeline Status
Writing & Book
My writing explores ambition, technology, sobriety, and the practice of paying attention. Explore my essays and archives at randomdrake.com.
I Will Not Drink With You Today
366 Days of Stillness, Sobriety, and Presence
A daily reader grounded in Stoic philosophy and practical wisdom. Moving beyond the standard memoir, it offers 366 reflections designed to help anyone navigate the quiet work of sobriety. It serves as a steady companion for those seeking to reclaim their agency and build a meaningful life, one day at a time.
Speaking & Interviews
Available for podcasts, panels, and keynotes on AI strategy, engineering leadership, building calm systems, creative practice for technologists, intentional work, and sobriety.
Let's connect
david@randomdrake.com© 2026 David Byron Drake. All rights reserved.
Personal writing and views are my own.
Made with ♥ in Tigard, OR