Abnormal Voices: Meet Vishnu Singh Sengar, Backend Engineer II
Describe yourself in three words.
Innovative, Resilient, Impactful.
Tell me what you do at Abnormal in 2-3 sentences.
I lead the development of two key offerings at Abnormal - AI Phishing Coach and ELMS (Email-Like Messaging Security). In this role, I design the architecture, build foundational code, and collaborate with the product team on roadmaps and design partnerships to drive innovation and impact.
What's the most interesting project you're working on right now? How are you using AI to solve problems that would have been difficult to tackle just a few years ago?
One of the most exciting projects I’m working on is AI Phishing Coach, where we simulate real-world phishing attacks to help organizations strengthen their defenses. AI plays a key role in intelligently selecting the right emails to send by analyzing factors like user persona and dynamically generating context-aware content. Without AI, these simulations would rely on rigid rules, making them far less effective.
We've also leveraged AI extensively to build internal tooling, enabling us to launch a fully functional internal app in production within a day - something that would have otherwise taken at least a week.
How does the engineering team approach experimentation with new technologies or methodologies?
The engineering team at Abnormal fosters a culture of experimentation by encouraging rapid prototyping, data-driven decision-making, and collaboration across teams. We regularly explore new technologies through proof-of-concept projects, evaluate their impact, and iterate based on real-world performance. Engineers have the autonomy to propose and test innovative ideas, ensuring that we stay ahead of emerging threats and continuously improve our security solutions.
What's your perspective on the balance between leveraging existing AI solutions versus building custom tools? How does this play out in your daily work?
I believe AI is evolving rapidly, covering many use cases that once required custom-built solutions. Even when off-the-shelf tools aren’t a perfect fit, AI can still be leveraged to accelerate custom development. I’ve seen firsthand how AI significantly boosts development speed, making it something every engineer should explore. That said, in a professional setting, it’s crucial to use AI responsibly - configuring it properly to ensure data confidentiality and security.
How do you see your current projects contributing to the company's broader technical vision?
I see a tremendous impact in the projects I’m working on. Whether it's educating users through the AI Phishing Coach or protecting them from malicious messages in workplace instant messaging apps like Microsoft Teams, these initiatives mark a significant shift for Abnormal - from being an email security company to a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity. We’re not just protecting users; we’re also empowering them to stay secure against increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks. AI is driving a revolution in cybersecurity, and my contributions are helping Abnormal stay ahead by preventing advanced AI threats and solidifying its leadership in the space.
What's your favorite part about the company's culture, particularly regarding innovation and experimentation?
I love Abnormal's culture of innovation and experimentation. Engineers have the freedom to pitch ideas to leadership, where they are always heard, valued, and, when impactful, brought to life. I also appreciate how Abnormal empowers employees to stay ahead in the AI landscape by encouraging the use of advanced generative AI tools. Any productivity-enhancing or valuable tool is readily accessible, fostering an environment where innovation and experimentation thrive.
Can you share an example of how flexibility in your work schedule has helped you be more productive or creative?
Abnormal’s flexibility has been a game-changer for my productivity and creativity. I’m not a morning person, and having flexible hours allows me to structure my day in a way that keeps my peak productivity hours free for deep work. This helps me focus on critical engineering decisions, ship high-quality code, and conduct in-depth PR reviews. Additionally, this flexibility has enabled me to think critically and propose solutions for product and process improvements, leading to significant engineering hours saved and more efficient development cycles.
Tell me about your best day at Abnormal.
My best day at Abnormal would definitely be the day we started the Human Security Products (HSP) team. HSP has been pivotal in shaping how we work, and I see it as a startup within Abnormal. I still remember my conversation with Edwin about building this team and feeling overwhelmed by the trust he placed in me to take on this new venture. In the early days, it was just the two of us in standups, discussing progress. Today, as we've grown from 2 to 9 people, it feels incredible to look back at how much we’ve built and achieved. Yet, despite the growth, it still carries that same day-one excitement, making every milestone even more special.
Why do you stay at Abnormal?
I stay at Abnormal because it strikes the perfect balance between a startup and a corporate environment, taking the best from both worlds. From a startup, it embraces a strong ownership mindset and high velocity, allowing engineers to move fast and make a real impact. At the same time, it adopts the structure and stability of a well-run corporation, ensuring clarity in direction and support for growth.
What advice would you give to anyone hoping to join Abnormal?
Abnormal truly embodies its VOICE (Velocity, Ownership, Intellectual Honesty, Customer Obsession, Excellence) values, and the best way to thrive here is to fully embrace them. My biggest advice to anyone joining is to act like an owner - nothing is ever perfect, and if you see something that can be improved, speak up, take initiative, and drive change. Be curious and unafraid to ask questions - people here are incredibly supportive, approachable, and willing to help, no matter your level of experience. At Abnormal, we value both excellence and velocity, so aim high, but also be comfortable with iteration and continuous improvement. Strive to get 1% better every day, and you’ll find yourself making an impact sooner than you expect.
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If you’re an engineer looking to work on cutting-edge machine learning challenges while growing in a dynamic and collaborative environment, check out our open roles.
