Moving forward together: how Simão grows as a developer at railcube

When a freight train leaves the yard on time, most people never consider the code behind it. In Porto, railcube developer Simão does. His work sits at the heart of complex rail operations, ensuring trains and goods stay moving without missing a beat.

For Simão, movement is a mindset. “When I think about trains, I think about movement. Without movement, there is nothing. Movement is progress, it is survival, it is growth. Knowing that my work helps keep the world moving forward, that’s what motivates me,” he says.

At 25, Simão has been with railcube for almost two years. He works from our Porto office in Team White, one of our product teams that builds and maintains key parts of the railcube desktop application and many of the interfaces our clients rely on every day.

What Simão does all week

Simão started at railcube working mainly on interfaces and integrations between railcube and external systems used by rail operators. Over time, his role grew and he moved into Team White. “We work on interfaces, but we also build the railcube desktop app, both front end and back end,” he explains.

A typical week is a mix of:

• Focused coding and problem solving
• Developing new features for rail operators
• Fixing issues in existing functionality
• Collaborating with colleagues in Porto and Rotterdam
• Talking to customers to clarify requirements

Much of his time is dedicated to turning client needs into concrete technical solutions.

"There is always more than one way to build something. We discuss the options and choose the approach that fits best. It is very much a team effort."

For friends and family, he keeps his explanation simple: railcube builds the backbone systems that keep railway operations organized. "I explain to them that we develop systems that maintain train organization and assist drivers, crews, and planners in staying on course in the background," he says.

Precision, high stakes, real impact

Working in freight rail has given Simão a new appreciation for precision. “In rail operations, every second counts,” he explains. “If there is a delay or a mistake, it affects thousands of people. Precision and reliability are absolutely key.”

One example that stayed with him was a set of features his team developed for Pacific National, one of the largest rail freight operators in Australia. The team updated several important interfaces, including those for crew shifts and timetables. “Some clients avoided major delays because of the features our team delivered. That’s when you realize your job isn’t just code; it’s people’s work, their livelihoods, and their families,” he says.

“What we build keeps everything moving, and that responsibility drives us to give our best every single day.”

Simão doesn’t view his work as a series of isolated tasks. “My work is never just mine; it belongs to the entire team. Every task I complete helps us deliver a stronger sprint, a better product, and real results for our clients. When we all own the mission together, nothing can stop us from reaching our goals,” he says.

He feels the strongest sense of ownership when he sees his work in production.

“The best part of seeing my code in production is knowing it keeps trains moving, keeps operators connected and makes their work and lives easier.”

Solving the complex problems

Simão's most demanding part of the job is managing complexity, and he approaches it with focus and confidence. “We solve complex problems that must work flawlessly in real operations,” he explains. “We take control by breaking big challenges into smaller steps, making confident technical decisions, and working closely with the team to deliver solutions operators can trust.”

That means:

• Translating detailed requirements into clear designs
• Choosing the right technical approach among many options
• Managing daily priorities while keeping an eye on the bigger picture

He appreciates that everyone—from the newest colleague to the most experienced senior—is encouraged to contribute ideas. “Your value is not defined by how long you have been here. Whether you joined last week or ten years ago, we take your opinion seriously," he says. 

Learning the rail world, one regulation at a time

Simão did not come from a rail background, and he’s been surprised by how much there is to learn about the rail domain. “We keep learning as we develop the product,” he says. “Clients explain their regulations, and we translate those into software. You learn a lot about the world this way.”

Railcube supports that growth in a few key ways:

• Challenging projects that stretch his skills
• Mentorship from seniors with strong technical skills and leadership qualities
• Trust to explore new technologies and take on more responsibility

“They gave me space to level up,” he notes.

“The trust I have to work on complex projects has been a big factor in my growth.”

Team White and the Porto office:
driven, cooperative and resilient

If asked to describe his team in three words, Simão picks "driven," "cooperative," and "resilient." “We push forward together, adapt quickly, and never back down from a challenge or setback during a sprint,” he says.

Day to day, small rituals keep the team connected:

• Casual conversations and coffee breaks that make the day lighter
• Office days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday that recharge the group’s energy
• Short daily meetings that feel like strategy huddles, where every voice matters

The Porto office itself has a special atmosphere and a convenient location. Just a short walk from Porto’s city center and right by Trindade station, it’s easy to reach and keeps the team close to the heart of the city. "There is a wonderful atmosphere; friendly colleagues, a cooperative spirit, and a balance between focus and fun,” Simão says. “We know when it’s time to laugh and when it’s time to get things done.”

Learning from others is a big part of this culture. “I’ve had great mentors on my journey at railcube. Every comment, whether reinforcement or criticism, has taught me something. I don’t view challenges as struggles; I see them as blessings. When you’re surrounded by people who want to be excellent, who look at life half full, who are curious and never stop growing, you become better than you were yesterday,” he reflects.

In his view, no one succeeds alone. When the team’s attitude is positive and curious, the group becomes “unbeatable.”

Who will feel at home here

If a friend were considering joining railcube, Simão would be honest about both the challenge and the reward. “If you want to make an impact, grow as a software engineer, and embrace challenges along the way, this is the place to be. Railway software is not straightforward. Requirements are specific, stakes are high, and problems are complex. That’s precisely why it’s meaningful. Nothing worth doing is easy,” he would tell them.

For Team White, he imagines someone who:

• Enjoys solving challenging, real-world problems
• Thrives in an ambitious, high-energy, mutually supportive team
• Is curious and collaborative
• Appreciates humor in the everyday moments to make the day lighter

He emphasizes that no role is too small to matter. “No person here, whatever their role, is without impact. When people understand that and challenge themselves to grow, that’s the recipe for success and personal growth,” says Simão. For anyone who loves tackling complex, real-world problems that directly impact operations, railcube is the right place. “If you like working on that kind of problem, you will enjoy being a developer here,” he adds.

Life outside the office: movement and curiosity

Outside of work, two things define Simão: movement and curiosity. He has been going to the gym for almost a decade, which for him is not just about lifting weights but about building himself up mentally and physically. “You cannot lift all the weights in the room,” he explains. “You can only do what your body allows. It teaches you to focus on the work, not on the ego.”

He trains nearly every day—mixing cycling, running, and weightlifting—so it never feels monotonous. Being around people who are stronger or faster also pushes him to keep improving. Simão’s curiosity is just as much a daily practice.

When he’s not exercising or travelling, he’s often reading autobiographies of leaders like Phil Jackson, Phil Knight, or Alex Ferguson. “These books are intimate. You get a deeper connection to the person writing. I’m curious about people I’ll probably never meet."

"Curiosity is one of the best qualities someone can have. If you are curious, you are less judgmental."

He finds that this mindset carries over to work: staying curious about colleagues and clients helps him understand their perspectives and even deescalate conflicts.

Travel is another way Simão blends moving and learning. Rather than taking it easy on a beach, he loves exploring new cities with an open mind. Whether it’s attending a sporting event, visiting a museum, or trying unfamiliar food, each trip is both physical movement and mental exploration: a chance to recharge and gain a new perspective.

In the end, Simão strives to “earn my sunset” each day by doing meaningful work that moves the product, the team, and the world a little bit forward.