Each week, the College of Engineering features an outstanding member of the engineering community to be part of its spotlight campaign. This week, we are highlighting computer science master’s program alumnus Saurav Gupta.
Job Title and Company:
Software Engineer III at Adobe
Graduation Year and Major:
Master’s in Computer Science,’24
Hometown:
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Current City and State:
Lehi, Utah
What made you choose to study engineering at Cal Poly?
I chose engineering at Cal Poly for its strong computer science program and its hands-on, Learn by Doing philosophy. While earning my master’s degree, I worked with exceptional professors, including my thesis adviser, on research that was both challenging and meaningful. The practical focus and collaborative environment made it the ideal place to grow academically and professionally.
What was your earliest engineering project?
My earliest engineering project was a summer internship at Adobe, where I built a proof of concept for frictionless legal templates and improved accessibility and usability of the e-sign request tool. I collaborated with UX, back end and product teams, and I implemented a product-led growth strategy that aimed to increase click-through rates from 2% to 5% by optimizing user onboarding in the Acrobat ecosystem.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time outdoors — hiking, backpacking, camping and trail running are some of my favorite activities. They help me recharge and stay active, and I love exploring new trails and remote places whenever I get the chance.
How does your Cal Poly education apply to your job and daily life?
My Cal Poly education taught me to tackle problems hands-on, which directly translates to my work as a software engineer. Whether it’s collaborating across teams or building scalable solutions, I rely on the practical skills and mindset I developed during my master’s program. The emphasis on real-world projects and working closely with professors helped me build a strong foundation that I apply daily in designing, coding and problem-solving.
What do you think engineering’s biggest impact on the world will be in the future?
I believe engineering’s biggest impact will come through advancements in AI and automation. These technologies are already transforming industries by improving efficiency, reducing manual effort and enabling smarter decision-making. As they evolve, they’ll play a key role in solving complex global challenges — from health care and climate change to education and transportation — by automating routine tasks and unlocking new possibilities through intelligent systems.
What advice would you give to current engineering students?
Focus on building a strong foundation in problem-solving and stay curious. Don’t just aim to understand concepts; apply them through projects, internships or hackathons. Learn to collaborate across disciplines and stay updated on emerging technologies like AI and automation. Most importantly, embrace challenges: they’re often where the most growth happens.
What clubs or activities were you involved in while at Cal Poly?
I was active in several clubs at Cal Poly, including the International Student Friendship (ISF) Club, Van Life Club, Hiking & Backpacking Club and SLO Hacks. These experiences helped me build a community, explore the outdoors and stay engaged with tech outside the classroom.
What are your current career goals?
I want to continue growing as a software engineer by gaining more experience at leading tech companies like Adobe, where innovative products are making a real impact on creators’ lives. My goal is to deepen my technical skills, work on meaningful projects and eventually take on leadership roles where I can contribute to building user-focused, scalable solutions.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I’d like to say thank you for the opportunities, the challenges and the people who’ve supported me along the way. I believe in staying curious, being humble and always striving to grow through technology. Whatever you’re going through, give it time. Things have a way of working out when you stay focused and keep moving forward.
By Taylor Villanueva
