We’re excited to welcome Amando Xu, Software Engineer, to Kira. Amando brings product-building experience from TikTok, along with a thoughtful perspective shaped by his own experience as a student navigating different learning systems. Get to know him in this quick Q&A.
Tell us a bit about your background—what brought you to Kira, and why did this opportunity resonate with you?
I was previously at TikTok, where I worked on features within the Shop tab that are now part of the user experience today. What drew me to Kira was the opportunity to rethink the kind of learning experience I wish I had as a student. Growing up in Shanghai and attending international schools, I experienced a wide range of learning management systems, many of which felt either too rigid or impersonal. They often felt more like tools for tracking grades than for supporting meaningful learning. Kira’s approach resonated with me because it allows me to return to that student perspective, this time with the ability to directly shape and improve the experience.
What are you most excited about as you start your journey here?
I’m excited to start building from day one and contribute to a product that can meaningfully improve students’ experiences in the classroom. I strongly believe that a well-designed LMS can have a significant impact on a student’s learning journey, especially as it often serves as the foundation of their academic experience.
What’s something interesting or unique about yourself that your new colleagues might be surprised to learn?
I served in the Singapore military for two years, which was a very formative experience and played a big role in shaping my discipline and perspective.
How do you see your role contributing to Kira’s mission of transforming education through AI?
I see my role as both a builder and a connector. Beyond contributing to product development, I’m excited to help bridge communication across teams, especially in a globally distributed environment. Being able to facilitate collaboration across different regions and perspectives can help ensure we build more thoughtful and impactful solutions.
When you’re not working, what do you love doing? Any hobbies, interests, or passion projects you’d like to share?
I love anything related to speed—Formula 1, road cycling, driving, track days, and even rollercoasters. I’m always drawn to experiences that combine precision, performance, and adrenaline.
We’re thrilled to have Amando on the team and can’t wait to see the perspective he brings to building Kira. As we continue creating tools that make learning more thoughtful, flexible, and engaging, we’re excited to have him helping shape that experience.
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