Wahi @ Work : Rémi

1. Give us the 30-second elevator pitch about what you do at Wahi.

As the head of engineering, I lead a dynamic team that takes ideas and turns them into tangible technology solutions. Within the team, I manage three “squads”: our mobile app squad and two full stack web development squads. Each of these squads has a team lead who reports to me.

These teams are innovating in the mobile and web spaces, delivering intuitive real estate solutions. I co-ordinate with the team leads on a daily basis, ensuring that our technical direction aligns with the company’s business goals, and that we consistently deliver superior products.

One of my objectives is to strike a balance between technical priorities and delivering business value. I ensure we’re not just pursuing technology for its own sake, but focusing on creating products that offer real value to our users and that help us achieve our goals.

Ultimately, my role is to steer our engineering vision, create an environment for innovation, and ensure we deliver real estate solutions that redefine the industry standard.

2. How and why did you get into your industry?

There was always a computer at home when I was a kid, and so I started to code when I was 14. Then I realized, to my surprise, that some people would actually pay me to do something I was doing for fun! This led me to pursue a formal education in the field, and I eventually enrolled in engineering school. From there,  my love for coding morphed into a fulfilling career.

3. What do you love most about your job?

I’m a tech enthusiast, so I relish the chance to be at the cutting edge, helping to make those critical decisions that will help define Wahi’s future. I love the constant innovation and problem-solving. Each day brings a new set of challenges, and it’s exciting to come up with creative solutions. I also enjoy watching my team grow and use their talents to create a positive environment where great ideas thrive. It’s rewarding to see our concepts come to life and see how they can make a real difference in people’s lives.

I also enjoy collaborating with Marketing, SEO, operations, and other teams to create tech solutions that align with our broader goals.

4. What does your day look like?

My days are very full. I start off  monitoring our production dashboards to make sure everything is going smoothly, followed by meetings with different teams. I schedule one-on-ones with team leads to provide guidance and address any challenges they may be facing. 

Strategic planning for future projects, team recruitment and development, ongoing project review and collaborating with stakeholders to align on business goals are also part of my day.

5. What book are you currently reading?

I read a lot of science fiction. Currently, I’m reading The Expanse, a series written by James S. A. Corey, which is set in a future where humanity has colonized much of the solar system.

6. Do you have any advice for people who want to be a software engineer?

There’s no single “correct” path. It’s about leveraging your strengths, learning from experiences, and persistently moving towards your goal. My career path started in a tech startup, and then I moved on to become a consultant working in short-term contracts, which gave me exposure to a broad spectrum of businesses. The exposure made me more adaptable. 

A career as a software development professional requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, strategic thinking, ability to be open minded and practise active listening, as well as a constant willingness to learn and adapt.