From freelancing to building software with impact

Mert started his career as a freelance developer. He built software for point-of-sale systems, worked largely independently, and developed his skills by figuring things out on his own. But over time, he felt something was missing.

He wanted to work on software that would be used on a larger scale. Software with visible impact. Today, he has been with BIMcollab for four years, has grown from Medior to Senior Software Engineer, and helps shape the technical future of the platform.

From working independently to building together

I’ve been interested in software development for as long as I can remember. Before joining BIMcollab, I mainly worked as a freelancer. I contributed to point-of-sale systems and often worked independently or in small teams. There were certainly benefits to that, but I also started to realise that something was missing.

I wanted to be part of something bigger. Not just deliver a project and move on, but help build software that is used by many people and where you can actually see the impact of your work. When I came across the BIMcollab vacancy, it immediately caught my attention. The company felt approachable, ambitious, and above all, welcoming.

Working on software that matters

What attracted me from the start was that BIMcollab is about more than just software. We help the construction industry collaborate more efficiently and effectively. That may sound abstract, but it has a real impact. When projects are better coordinated, issues are identified earlier, and processes become more efficient, projects can be delivered faster and with higher quality.

I was also drawn to the international reach of the software. You work on products that are used daily by customers in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other parts of the world.

An organisation that keeps evolving

When I joined, BIMcollab felt much more like a scale-up. Over the past few years, the organisation has grown significantly, and with that growth come new technical challenges.

Where many things were previously managed locally, we are now working on cloud solutions, scalability, and international expansion. How do we ensure customers around the world have the same high-quality experience? How do we prepare our platform for future growth?

Those are the kinds of questions that I find interesting. It is not just about programming. It is also about architecture, scalability, and helping shape the future of the platform.

Never limited to one box

One thing I appreciate is that you are not confined to a single team or specialisation. I started in the Nexus area of BIMcollab, worked on the Model Viewer, and later became involved in integrating an acquired product into the BIMcollab ecosystem.

Today, I work in a team that supports other teams with technical challenges that span multiple domains. That means I collaborate with many different colleagues and disciplines. It keeps the work varied and interesting.

There is room to learn

Software development never stands still. That means you have to keep developing yourself as well. What I value is that BIMcollab actively creates space for that. When new knowledge is needed for a particular direction, people are given the opportunity to learn, experiment, and build expertise themselves. We do not always have to bring in external specialists; often, we develop that knowledge in-house.

There is also a dedicated learning budget and plenty of opportunities to follow training courses, attend conferences, or pursue other forms of professional development. For people who are curious and enjoy continuous learning, that creates a lot of opportunities.

Impact without ego

Another thing I appreciate is the atmosphere. The company is large enough to make a real impact, but still small enough that people know each other. We have lunch together, collaborate closely, and people are approachable.

At the same time, there is a wide variety of personalities and backgrounds across the organisation. I think that diversity is one of our strengths. I do not believe there is one specific type of person who fits here. Different perspectives help us solve problems in different ways and ultimately create better solutions.

When will you feel at home here?

I think BIMcollab is a great fit for engineers who want to keep growing. People who are curious. People who enjoy taking ownership. And people who want to contribute not only to the software itself, but also to the future of the product and the organisation. If you enjoy learning, want to make an impact, and like working alongside smart colleagues, you will find plenty of opportunities here.