Alex is developing SW solutions for  EV charging at eMabler

Alex, what do you do at eMabler? 

I am a Software Developer at eMabler. My responsibilities lie on both sides of the tech stack: Working with our web app developed with React and Material UI and performing work on the back end maintaining our various APIs providing valuable data to our customers.

What is your background? 

I studied Business Information Technology at the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (B.Sc), graduating in October of 2019. In May the same year, I started working in the software field as a front-end developer specializing in React for the web and React Native for mobile development. My first role as a developer was for the startup Industry62, working on a pair of mobile apps they were developing to deliver digital health services to pregnant women in Africa. After that, I worked at Veikkaus for several years working on their mobile app before I found myself at eMabler. While I had no experience with electric vehicles (I do not even have a driver's license!) before coming here, I am fully prepared to help deliver the best charging platform for them.

How did you end up working for eMabler?

I’ve been friends with a fellow developer here for a few years, and when I mentioned I was looking for new opportunities to further my career she recommended applying to this company. She gave rave reviews of the company, the culture, and her co-workers. I researched the company further: while their market was unfamiliar to me their work sounded quite interesting, so it was an easy decision for me to apply.

What is it like working at eMabler? 

So far, a delight! You get the usual benefits a developer would get from working in a startup (e.g., you will not find yourself with a fully booked day of meetings) and the people here are great, easy to get along with and always willing to help when one is in need. This is the perfect environment for a developer to hone their skills. I can easily see myself recommending this company to fellow developers who are looking for an exciting company to work for.

Working for a sustainability company provides a unique level of job satisfaction as I am a big believer in trying to make as many choices as possible in your life to reduce the impact on the environment. For example, I have switched from disposable razors that are heavily marked up in price and generate a lot of plastic waste to a safety razor using razor blades. It produces less waste, the razor blades are steel that can be recycled, and it’s cheaper and better for my skin. Often the more sustainable option can be the better option, and I believe that electric vehicles are that better choice and I am delighted to be a part of a company that has such positive goals.

Cars are one of the biggest contributors to climate change and we are helping in the goal of producing software that can help make the transition to electric vehicles easier, while also helping reduce the impact on the environment. Not many companies can brag about doing that!

While I am no stranger to startups, this has been my easiest experience so far with working in one. New developers usually have a rough first month learning their new codebases and cannot reach full productivity until a little after that, but I was able to get on my feet quickly with the help of everyone here. You may have already even interacted with a feature that I have worked on!

What do you do when you are not working? 

Ever since I was young, I have enjoyed reading and writing, especially Science Fiction. Over the years I have written a bunch of short stories, a partially completed novel, and a large stack of notes for worlds and concepts that I hope one day to develop further!

I am also quite big into Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs). I currently play in a semi-weekly campaign of Dungeons and Dragons. My level 16 Paladin has been on a ream of adventures over the years. I have also run sessions of D&D for my friends. This hobby also scratches my writing itch as I can create worlds and characters that my friends can participate in and create their legends within. Also, occasionally, I find myself painting miniature figurines for use within D&D.

Video games have also been a passion of mine ever since I was young, although there is debate whether that can count as a hobby or not. I remember being around six years old and getting my first game console: the first PlayStation. I lost many hours playing Doom on that old system. Currently, when time allows, I have found myself getting lost within the world of Elden Ring, which came out, at the time of writing, this February.

I try to go to as many hockey games as my schedule allows, the teams I follow are Kiekko-Vantaa in the Finnish second division, HIFK in the first and the Winnipeg Jets over in the NHL. I am hoping that IFK makes it far in the playoffs this season!

I recently purchased a Bass guitar as I have always wanted to learn one ever since I listened to my first Rush album but now, I need to make myself keep up with my online bass lessons!

About Alex:

Alex Jacob is a Senior SW Developer at eMabler. He has a couple of years of SW development experience. Alex works with eMabler's front- and back-end.

eMabler 

Based in Helsinki, Finland. We believe that eMobility is the way forward, having worked in the industry for over a decade and we see a great boom in eMobility. We’ve also seen many platform providers develop closed ecosystems and realized that there’s a need for a more flexible solution that focuses on end-user experience.

That’s why we decided to build an open platform that lets you integrate your EV charging data into any existing systems, please contact us.