The Innovator Behind eBay’s UX Platform products
What happens when relentless curiosity meets cutting-edge technology? You get Damodaran CS—a pioneer who has redefined user experience and business solutions. From groundbreaking platforms at eBay to winning prestigious accolades, Damodaran’s career is a a solid proof to the power of innovation and perseverance. Let’s hear the story of a leader who continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in finance and tech, transforming challenges into triumphs and ideas into reality.
The Learning Curve
Damodaran’s career is marked by a blend of global exposure and a dedication to continuous learning. “My journey is characterized by continuous learning, global exposure, and the pursuit of excellence,” he shares. This commitment to growth has not only shaped his professional trajectory but also brought him recognition and success. He underscores the importance of addressing the root of problems, embracing incremental delivery, and valuing critical feedback. These principles have been the cornerstone of his professional development.
Innovating UX at eBay
At the heart of Damodaran’s business portfolio is his work at eBay, where he revolutionized the user experience (UX). He built two of eBay’s largest traffic platforms, designed to deliver UX across all pages. “Think of it as a UX platform as a service that delivers site-wide UX,” he explains. Before these innovations, eBay faced significant challenges in delivering targeted UX site-wide, especially for critical business information. Damodaran’s platform evolved from solving specific business issues to becoming a comprehensive solution capable of rendering UX across devices, exemplifying his forward-thinking approach.
Navigating through ups and downs
Damodaran’s path was fraught with challenges, particularly in developing scalable solutions for a giant like eBay. Coordinating with numerous stakeholders and aligning them to a common vision was no small feat. “Not everyone shares or sees the north star vision as you do,” he notes. To navigate these challenges, he emphasized incremental delivery to demonstrate small wins while persistently working towards the final solution. He acknowledges that while luck can play a role, it is hard work, perseverance, and adaptability that drive true success. His commitment to addressing significant problems and expanding the impact of his solutions has been pivotal to his achievements.
Driven by Passion
Damodaran’s passion lies in delivering impactful solutions through technology and innovation. This passion now extends to the future of UX and web with artificial intelligence (AI). “The challenges of creating scalable solutions and the satisfaction of seeing those solutions improve lives and drive business metrics fuel my passion,” he says. His excitement about AI’s potential to revolutionize UX and web interactions highlights his visionary outlook.
Beyond the Rat Race
When asked about the rat race versus being a tiger, Damodaran offers a refreshing perspective. He believes in enjoying the process of learning and building rather than constantly striving for rapid gains or engaging in fierce competition. “I believe an engineer should enjoy the process,” he asserts. By focusing on solving interesting and impactful problems and prioritizing long-term gains, Damodaran has stayed true to his values and maintained a balanced career journey.
Inspired by Family
Damodaran’s inspiration is deeply personal—his child. “Watching him learn and evolve has been such a delight,” he reveals. This source of inspiration drives his goals, which include transitioning to leadership roles and exploring the intersection of UX, web, and AI. He envisions creating solutions that make user interactions seamless and simpler, reflecting his commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good.
A Trail of Achievements
Damodaran’s achievements are numerous and impressive. He has received Utah’s Best of State for web development, and multiple awards for his solutions at eBay, including the Titan Business Award (Platinum), Globee Technology Award (Gold), and Stevie American Business Award (Gold). His research has also been recognized with the Best Paper Award at the 2024 IEEE SEAI conference. These accolades underscore his significant contributions to the field and his impact on the industry.
Empowering Leadership
For Damodaran, leadership is about enabling and empowering others. He values creating leaders over followers, emphasizing mentoring and fostering growth. “I believe in continuing to remain hands-on so that when things go south, I’m available to offer any help that would be needed,” he adds. His leadership style is rooted in collaboration and support, aiming to build a team capable of leading with their unique contributions.
Words of Wisdom
In his closing thoughts, Damodaran shares valuable advice: “Identify and believe in oneself.” He acknowledges that his success story includes many failures, highlighting the importance of persistence and perseverance. He emphasizes the role of family and friends in providing strength and support, making the journey easier.
