10. June 2025
author:
Mike Pierce |
Niko Felger
Software development at DigitalService: more than just code
In many tech teams, the role of software engineers looks very similar: Processing tickets from the backlog, developing features, fixing bugs. Maybe a few meetings with colleagues from the product and design departments, the occasional stakeholder discussion - and the sprint is done.
However, especially in complex, unpredictable projects – as is often the case in public administration – this picture falls short. After all, what if it is not yet clear what problem is actually to be solved? What if it is unclear whether software is even the right answer?
Then it is a matter of working together in interdisciplinary teams to find out what is really needed – and what is not. Engineers are not only responsible for developing solutions, but also for helping to shape which problem is to be solved.
This way of working turns many familiar processes upside down – but also opens up new opportunities to make an impact, as we show in this blog post.
Mike Pierce
joined DigitalService in June 2024, bringing two decades of professional experience from agencies and start-ups. In his recent role as Head of Engineering – People, he focuses on people development, overseeing the hiring, staffing, and professional growth of software engineers. Mike is passionate about cultivating diverse, multi-faceted teams dedicated to building impactful products for citizens. Outside of work, the Australian-born enjoys playing drums and exploring the forests and lakes around Berlin and Brandenburg with his child.
Niko Felger
has been gaining experience in early-stage startups since 2008 – spanning live music, online marketing, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. He has been with DigitalService since its founding and, in his current role as Head of Engineering – Technology, is responsible for providing technical support to projects, facilitating cross-project knowledge exchange, and implementing technology strategies. In his spare time, he enjoys reading and exploring nature with his two children.
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