Meet our Senior Software Developer, Raoul Fenech, a cornerstone of Cleverbit for over five years. Starting as a Junior Developer, Raoul’s commitment has propelled him to a senior role within our InScope division. He values the work-life balance our remote setup offers but also appreciates face-to-face interactions at the office. Beyond his coding prowess, Raoul is the family tech guru and enjoys quality time with his Border Collie, Zuko. His interests span racket sports, art, Techno music, and a fondness for “Lord of the Rings.” What sets him apart? His top-notch communication skills, laced with a dash of sarcasm, making him not just an effective but also an enjoyable colleague. Raoul relishes challenges and is a key asset to our team. We look forward to his ongoing contributions and growth.
How long have you been working for Cleverbit?
5 years with a small hiatus in the middle.
What is your role at Cleverbit?
Senior software developer for InScope-AML.
How would you describe your job to someone without a technical background?
When clients have specific needs or problems they want to solve, I’m the one who translates those into a working solution. Think of me as a digital craftsman; clients tell me what they’re looking for, and I use my tools—essentially lines of code—to build it for them.
What’s your earliest tech-related memory?
I remember playing games on an old SEGA console with my cousin. I remember thinking it would be cool to create something digital which others can enjoy.
Did you always know you wanted to work in tech?
I always knew I wanted something which challenges the mathematical and logical side of my brain. Something which allows me to solve interesting problems. My role ticks all these boxes.
Describe your day-to-day routine, if you have one.
Wake up. Espresso. Feed Zuko (my border collie). Work. Feed Zuko again. Walk Zuko. Play games on Discord with friends / Meet friends for a drink.
People who work with tech can be superstitious. Do you have a favourite computer superstition or ritual?
Clean before Build in Visual Studio, always.
Who is your professional hero?
My colleagues and friends in the industry are who inspire me professionally day-to-day.
How did you end up working at Cleverbit?
It was my first interview out of university. I thought I was awful. They still gave me a chance and it’s been great ever since.
Is there a project that you’ve worked on at Cleverbit that really stood out to you for whatever reason?
Revoke, a GDPR related product. It was interesting working in that industry at a time when GDPR was one of the hottest topics.
What’s the office culture like at Cleverbit?
Relaxed, easy-going, friendly. It’s also a lot of fun when colleagues from abroad come visit in summer.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Something artistic. Maybe a digital artist or something like that.
