Tijs has been working at Sioux since 2020 and is now a senior software engineer. In his role, he bridges two worlds: on one side hardware, with chips, advanced science, and quantum physics, and on the other side software, with programming languages such as JavaScript, C, and C++. Tijs: ‘That combination really fascinates me. It is where my expertise and my passion come together.’
From curiosity to expertise
As a child, Tijs often wondered: ‘How does a computer work? And how do you build one yourself?’ To him, a computer felt like a sort of magical paving stone that could do anything. Out of this fascination, he chose to study for a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Delft University of Technology, followed by a master’s in Computer Engineering.
From hardware to software
In recent years, Tijs has increasingly shifted his focus to software. ‘At first, I thought I would mainly be working with hardware, but in practice I found that clients place far more emphasis on software and firmware. Since there is less demand for new electronic devices nowadays, I immersed myself in software design and requirements engineering. In a large project, I combined technical content with drafting requirements and working closely with the client. That was new for me, so I took additional training, including communication. At first, I ran into challenges, but through courses I learnt to communicate more consciously and to collaborate more effectively. That has really helped me to grow stronger in my role towards the client.’
‘At Sioux you work on impressive projects where you really add value.’
‘What I find so remarkable about Sioux is that you work on impressive projects where you can develop yourself, while truly feeling that you are contributing. My career also took an unexpected turn recently: I am usually seen as an embedded specialist, but when I mentioned that I also have experience with JavaScript and UX, I was invited to join a design project. I redesigned the complete UI, making it faster and more elegant, and it is fantastic when colleagues then say: “Wow, that looks great, that works really well.” Of course, you work to make a living, but for me the real satisfaction lies in the difference I can make and the appreciation I receive for it.’
A sense of community
‘Alongside the technical challenges and the opportunity to develop myself, the culture at Sioux also plays a major role for me. There is a real sense of community. Many consultancy firms promote those kinds of values, but here I truly experience them. At the office, I feel I can simply be myself, without having to adapt to be taken seriously. Everyone is actively included and treated equally, whether you are a seasoned senior or a junior just starting out. There is genuine attention for the person behind the colleague. That creates a close and pleasant atmosphere.’
