Tell us something about yourself
Sure! I’m Dennis, 31 years old. I graduated as a Mechatronic Engineer. I studied at The Hague university of applied sciences and then worked as a consultant for almost eight years. This July, I made the jump to WEB as a software engineer with a mechatronics background. What that means in practice is that I enjoy programming robots, machines, anything that moves and uses electricity. Right now, I’m working on camera control systems for defense purposes, which means that with a bit of luck, one day my software will run on a mounted military-grade camera somewhere in the world.
What motivated you to join WEB?
I realised my work had become more and more software oriented and that I used to really enjoy working in mechatronics. When I told WEB in which direction I wanted to take my career, they simply said “We can do that” and they delivered on it immediately by finding me a client in my preferred field with the potential for growth that I was looking for.
Were you were specifically looking for something smaller and more hands-on?
Yes, I spent two years as a consultant for a company in the semiconductor industry, and it was a valuable learning experience. But what I realized was that I prefer smaller companies. In a large corporation, half your day is spent figuring out who to talk to among 40,000 employees. In a smaller setting, I get to focus on solving real engineering problems.
At my current assignment, for example, the culture is very open. They’ve even said they might offer me a direct contract after a year and a half, but I also know I’d have options within WEB if I wanted to stay or move to another client. That kind of flexibility is worth a lot.
Was that sense of trust and flexibility something you felt right from the beginning?
Yes, taking a new job is always a bit of a leap, but I felt heard from the start. I remember seeing my CV posted on the wall in the manager’s room, next to a list of companies I wanted to work for and companies I didn’t. Nobody told me they did that. But it showed me that they were genuinely paying attention to what I wanted.
How was your first week at WEB?
Honestly? Super welcoming. I got introduced to everyone and it felt like I had friends here right away, especially among the software managers. Everyone I met said greeted me by saying, “Hi Dennis, so good to see you!”—and I think they meant it. That really stuck with me.
What’s the community like in general?
Very relaxed and social. People are always up for a chat, and usually also for a game of ping pong. I spent my first few weeks getting to know everyone and getting to know them better.
I feel like all I have to do here is write software, everything else is taken care of. For example, my bike broke the night before my first working day. I told my manager, and the next thing I knew, HR handed me a WEB bike. Same thing when I needed a car, they have a car-sharing service. Even lunch at the office is free. All those little things add up and make you feel welcome.
How would you compare WEB to your previous workplaces?
I’ve been a consultant for eight years, so I’ve seen a lot of companies. What makes WEB different is the sense of humor, trust, and authenticity. I didn’t have to prove myself here, people trusted me from day one.
I literally got accepted for my assignment during the first week. But even before that, people were just genuinely happy I was here. I remember thinking, “I haven’t done anything yet—how are you this excited to see me?”
Engineers are treated like friends, they are respected, and people listen to what they want. In my case, I said what I wanted in terms of work, and within the first week, I was already doing exactly that. You can’t really ask for more.
As you are a consultant, will we be seeing you at the WEB office in Eindhoven?
I’d like to work one or two days a week at the WEB office so that I can stay close to the culture. So far, I haven’t missed a single Friday afternoon drink!
Also, my field manager checks in with me regularly, and we always end up having a personal and professional conversation. It’s not always work-related and I like that balance.
WEB is also starting regular meetings for software engineers, and I hope those pick up. It’s one more way to reconnect and keep that sense of community alive.
Would you recommend WEB to others?
Absolutely. There’s no pressure here. If you’re missing a skill or need support to land an assignment, you’ll get that support. Plus, you can get involved in more than just your daily work.
For instance, I’ve been asked to present something about my project at the WEB Academy later this year. It’s a great way to build community among engineers and contribute to the company’s growth beyond just your client work.
What advice would you give to new joiners?
Meet as many people as you can. Really embed yourself into the WEB network. You’ll probably find that most people already know your name before you even walk in the door.
Be open about what you want. They really appreciate that. In some companies, you have to be assertive to be heard. At WEB, people will just ask you, “What do you want to do?” And they’ll genuinely try to make it happen.
Also, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys helping shape how things work, this is a great place. There is always room for you to help improve things and be heard.
