A cup of coffee with ... Julian Rösner, Senior Software Developer

A People Lead responsible for three people – does Julian still get to code as a Senior Software Engineer? In this interview, he shows that it is not a problem and explains why gummy bears belong in the fridge.

Hey, Julian, you’re not only a senior software engineer (developer) at DigitalService, but also a people lead. How do these roles fit together?

That’s correct. In addition to my regular tasks as an engineer, I’m also a people lead for three developers. That means I carry out the typical leadership duties in respect of them, including holding salary reviews, planning individual time off, such as vacation days and sabbaticals, and discussing their personal and professional development. In this role, I also feel I have a big part to play in supporting them through coaching and by serving as a sounding board: we have weekly one-to-one check-ins where we address any challenges they’re facing. I discuss with them various matters, including the company’s development.

Sounds like no small task. How do you reconcile being a people lead and your work as an engineer on projects?

It varies. Depending on the particular individual and their situation, I allow 45 to 60 minutes for each person per week. Overall, that’s very manageable. For the company, it’s important that I’m not taken away from my technical work and remain highly engaged in my projects, with the current one being in the area of taxes.

How did you end up in this role?

During a development meeting with my own people lead in late 2022, we discussed that I felt ready to share my experience with others from 2023 onwards. I was then given one direct report from 2023 and another two from early 2024. This has also allowed me to settle into the role.

Apart from experience, what has helped make it easier for you to settle in?

We have a support system within DigitalService. All people leads are assigned a specific People Partner from the HR team. We hold regular meetings among ourselves where we can ask questions and offer support to others in tricky situations. Every two weeks, there’s also a meet-up for all people leads from each discipline where we get to connect with each other. I rarely miss these gatherings.

You’ve been in this dual role for some time now and seem to be enjoying it. What in particular do you like about it?

I like the communication and the exchange. I gain a lot from the discussions, for example, because I get to know the methods of my colleagues. Sometimes you’re more of a coach and other times a sounding board. I was also one of the earliest DigitalService employees and I like imparting the same spirit from our start-up days.

How would you describe this spirit? What are the key aspects?

We try to really solve problems. We even go so far as to take ownership of problems and look for ways to make further improvements beyond simply resolving the issues to hand. We want to empower our project partners to continue working on these things themselves. That’s why we don’t just look to solve the matter to hand but also consider at the same time how our solution might be applied more broadly to help in other areas as well.

How did you end up at DigitalService? What did you do previously?

My background is quite varied. I first studied business communication and then industrial engineering with a focus on information technology. After that, I was a freelance software developer. For example, I worked on a Prototype Fund project in the area of digital identities. I came across DigitalService through the Tech4Germany fellowship program. After that, I stayed in touch with Christina, who I knew from the program and is now our CEO. Once she founded DigitalService, I quickly came on board – which makes me one of the longest serving employees in this still young organization.

What does a software developer at DigitalService do?

As a DigitalService engineer, you need to understand that you won’t simply focus on frontend or backend development. Instead, your work will vary greatly depending on the project phase. For example, I’m engaged in a discovery phase right now as an engineer – in particular, I’m heavily involved in the product design and user interviews. I recently moderated a project setup workshop with project partners. First and foremost, you’re a member of a team and you provide support wherever it’s needed.

That sounds really varied. Can you tell us something you recently learned?

We had an offsite team meeting where we discussed strategy with others from across the entire company. I learned there how far along we are in our various projects: there’s still a lot to figure out in some, while we’ve already picked up a great deal in others and are now implementing what we’ve learned really well. This has given me a better understanding of where we’re close to a solution. It’s nice to see this progress.

How do you relax when you’re not at work?

At home I read a lot, I hike, or I renovate my apartment. At the moment, I’m working on a rack unit for my kitchen. If I need a little break during work, then I usually reach for gummy bears.

Gummy bears?

Yeah! They’re the best snack. Here’s a tip: chill them beforehand – then they taste even better.

Thanks! We always ask at the end – if DigitalService were an animal, what do you feel it would be? Perhaps a gummy bear?

No, not that. I feel that DigitalService is best represented by an octopus for three reasons. Firstly, an octopus has many different abilities, it can do a lot of things. Secondly, each of its arms has its own brain. So, these brains are spread throughout its entire body, all working together. And thirdly, an octopus actually has three hearts – and DigitalService employees really demonstrate time and again that they put so much heart into what they do.