Your colleagues

In order to provide you with a better idea about where you will be working, we have asked a number of your future colleagues to say a few words.

Gijs

Photo of GijsI've been employed as a software engineer at West since 2008. I chose West because I felt that I could find colleagues there that shared both my passion for software development and pride in their work. Another reason I chose West was the friendly work atmosphere with the freedom to work how I choose. Through West I was also able to purchase a recumbent bicycle for my commute.

I spend a lot of my free time behind the computer gaming or programming as well as riding my recumbent bicycle. I also enjoy watching movies with my wife.

Gertjan

Photo of GertjanI am a principal consultant at West. I have been working there for more than 20 years(!) now. I enjoy working for West because the work is always varied and challenging and because I have enthusiastic colleagues. Every new project is very challenging because it always goes hand-in-hand with new technologies and tools. The future for me at West is more of the same, or rather: every day is new and different.

Besides working at West, I play the saxophone (jazz & classical), do long-distance inline skating, read lots of books and enjoy going to the cinema.

Marco

Photo of MarcoI am a principal consultant at West and I have been working here for 20 years. I studied Computer Science at TU Delft. It is a combination of factors that makes working for West enjoyable: the many challenging projects, the open and friendly atmosphere, the informal attitude, the varied work and the project-oriented approach. I have to learn something new during every project, which challenges me and keeps me focused. I am very fond of creating something from nothing and designing and building software. And at West, I can do that to my heart's content, professionally. I also like doing code reviews, which are challenging because you have to assess a large amount of unknown code in just a couple of days.

Singing is my favourite hobby. I sing in two choirs; one with modern gospel-like songs and another in which more liturgical songs are sung. I've been a member of both choirs for longer than I've worked at West. It would seem that I'm quite steadfast. Besides singing, I also do different kinds of voluntary work for the church. This is often related to the church services, just like the singing.

Nico

Photo of NicoI am West's technical director. I am responsible for our company's technical policy and I guide my colleagues in their further development. I am also involved in acquisition (procuring new projects for West) and part of my time is spent working for our clients as well.

I first came into contact with West in the early 90's. I was doing doctoral research at the TU Delft at the time as well as working for West, mainly in the area of the Ada programming language. After I obtained my doctorate, I spent a number of enjoyable years working for a large Dutch IT company. In 2000, however, I discovered that a smaller, "truly IT" company suited me better. That company was West. I can channel all my creative energy into my work at West. I also really enjoy the frequent contact I have with our clients.

I don't have specific hobbies but my interest in technology is very broad and I'm a very inquisitive person; I always want to know what is happening, why something is happening and why people do things. If something attracts my attention, I take a very entrepreneurial approach to it.

Arthur

Photo of ArthurI am a software engineer at West and I have been working here for 9 years. I studied Technical Computer Science at TU Delft and I specialised in Software Engineering. Working for West is fun because it's varied and interesting, and the focus on quality appeals to me. I have no real preference amongst the projects that I carry out, but security reviews are always fun. Projects that require your own input are also great fun to do.

Besides working at West, I am a Debian developer and the accountant for De Koornbeurs student organisation in Delft. I also maintain a number of open-source tools.

André

Photo of AndréAfter I finished studying Computer Science at TU Delft, I went on to obtain a doctoral degree in Medical Imaging in Utrecht. I had a great time there, but at the end I knew that I wanted do a more practical job. After being self-employed for a while (which entailed hard work and was somewhat lonely) and a few years with an IT multinational, I realised that a company like West would be perfect for me.

I mainly work as a project manager for West, but I sometimes also do more content or sales-oriented jobs. This variation is what makes working for a small company so attractive for me. It's large enough to be able to work nice teams and share responsibilities effectively yet small enough to be able to exert your influence. West has a horizontal structure and all the employees are directly approachable, which I really like.

My interests are very broad. Science, politics, economics: I subscribe to them all. I have a specific interest in history, astronomy and evolutionary psychology. And I like to travel and learn about other cultures.