“I love solving problems”

João Vilaverde works in Berlin as a platform engineer for beyonnex. In this interview, the 34-year-old explains how important corporate culture is to him, why he prefers to work remotely.

João, you joined beyonnex in April 2023 as a platform engineer. What exactly does a platform engineer do?

I used to work as a software engineer, mainly writing code for new applications. At beyonnex, I now have slightly different tasks. As a platform engineer, I deal with the infrastructure in which the applications are to run. The platform team thus makes sure that the applications work safely and reliably. In this way, we relieve the developers of one of their worries. We make sure that they can concentrate on what they do best: delivering new features.

You have been with beyonnex for almost a year now. How did you find out about the company. And how do you like it there?

I honestly did not like my previous job that much anymore. I wanted to change and do something at the interface of development and operations. At beyonnex I saw this perspective. And beyonnex obviously liked my profile. By now, I can say that I really like the company. I work with the most modern technologies, and if there is one thing engineers really like, it is working with modern technology. But even more important to me is the corporate culture. It is great how openly and transparently the management here communicates, even with employees below management level. I haven't experienced that at previous employers – a big plus.

Beyonnex, like all companies of the noventic group, have made it their mission to make buildings more climate friendly and energy-efficient, by developing digital solutions for the real estate sector. Is this purpose important to you?

For me, it is primarily about doing my job well. I love solving problems and learning something new every day. There is enough to do. That is my focus. But, yes: it's cool to work for a company that is helping to make properties more energy efficient to run and therefore more environmentally friendly. I am taken, but if I were dating, I might try to impress with that [laughs].

How big is your team and how do you work together?

We are six engineers plus the product owner. We all work remotely. Three of my teammates are based in Belgrade, Serbia, one is based in Magdeburg, the product owner works from Munich and Nuremberg, and me and another colleague are based in Berlin. That works very well.

Do you ever meet in person?

Sometimes. We try to organize quarterly team meetings. Recently we all met in Berlin, the next one might be in Belgrade, we’re discussing that at the moment. Then there are also biannual company events for all the employees, very recently in Hamburg. So, we meet a few times per year. I enjoy those meetings, but from my point of view, that is also sufficient.

Have you always worked remotely?

No, that only began with Covid. I moved from Portugal to Berlin two weeks before the first lockdown started. I began my then new job at home, and it has been going on ever since. To be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am a big fan of the remote office.

What are, in your regard, the advantages of remote working?

[Laughs] It starts with the fact that I can sleep longer in the morning. But seriously: I believe the idea, that employees are more productive in the office, is a corporate myth that companies should debunk. I am actually more productive at home, than in the office. I have a technical job and need quiet phases, where I can absolutely focus on my tasks. That works better at home.

When I need to exchange ideas, I have several communication tools at my disposal. A  team like the one where colleagues are scattered over half of Europe would no longer exist if we all had come to the office. I think it would be a big disadvantage if companies only recruited at their headquarter’s location. But I'm only speaking for myself here, having a very technical job. It might be different in other corporate sectors.

Besides, I have set up a perfectly ergonomic office at home: a height-adjustable desk, my two monitors, my favorite keyboard and so on. Also, I prefer to work in cool temperatures, below 20 degrees Celsius. At the office, sooner than later someone will complain about that [laughs].

Beyonnex is based in Hamburg, but you live in Berlin. What drew you from Portugal to the German capital – was it the job or rather the city?

When I came to Berlin in 2020, I was already almost 30 – at that age, you are almost too old to move to the very “hip” Berlin [laughs]. My girlfriend at that time was German, and we wanted to live together in Germany. She was the first to get a job in Berlin – that was the deciding factor. Since I work in IT, it was then quite easy for me to find a job here as well. We like living here very much. If only the winters weren’t so long! I don’t mind the cold, but the lack of sunlight really torments me. Also, rents are simply far too high in Berlin. My girlfriend and I would love to move to a bigger flat, but that is just too expensive at the moment.

A current hot topic is artificial intelligence. Has it already found its way into your everyday working life? 

To a certain extent. As I said, I love solving problems. And in my job, I face new challenges every day. Sometimes it feels like a puzzle with an infinite number of pieces. Artificial intelligence is a great complement to my own biological intelligence. I use AI every day, but exclusively for research. Of course, I do not disclose any of my own company’s data. But AI helps me to sift through the endless amount of information available on the internet. Instead of Google, I now ask Chat GPT. In this respect, I have integrated AI into my workflow. AI is a great technology that we should all embrace and not reject, especially in my field of work, which is IT.

Thank you very much, João.