Jaime lives in Spain and has been working for Univention for almost three years. We’re curious to learn what it’s like for him to work remotely for Univention and what advice he has for others considering a remote position with us.
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What are the challenges and advantages of working from Spain for a German company?
The biggest challenge is not seeing my colleagues in person very often – usually only two or three times a year. I enjoy being in the office, but that’s not always possible. Still, I feel very connected to my team through Town Hall Meetings, where I became familiarized with many faces and names. A major advantage is my work-life balance. Univention prioritizes employee well-being much more than companies I’ve worked for in Spain.
Why did you decide to join Univention?
I’ve been passionate about Open Source since I was 10 years old. During college, I met Carlos, who was already working for Univention and highly recommended it. Since I’d always wanted to work in Open Source, joining Univention was a natural choice for me.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
In the morning, I check if anyone is stuck or needs help, then join the daily meeting. After that, I focus on solving challenges, which I find very motivating. Sometimes I take a walk around noon. I don’t have many meetings, which gives me the flexibility to structure my day as needed.
Don’t you miss social interaction during the day?
Not at all. I interact with my colleagues a lot in our virtual office. We use Rocket.Chat and BigBlueButton to ask questions, or do pair programming. Most of us work similar hours, from around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so someone is always available despite working remotely.
What are the most exciting challenges in your job?
On a technical level, breaking down an operating system into components for a highly available Kubernetes system has been the biggest challenge – it felt impossible at times! But finding solutions to such complex problems is incredibly rewarding.
On a personal level, our team is very open. We address issues early, for example, “How can we be more efficient?” or “Who can help with this task?” This ensures that problems never escalate.
What do you value most about Univention’s company culture?
Openness. Problems or ideas are addressed quickly, without hesitation. Everyone can suggest relevant topics and take responsibility.
Hackathons are another highlight. You get eight hours to improve anything you want and present your results to the team.
When I visit the Bremen office, colleagues come in to spend time together, share meals, and catch up. That sense of community is very special.
What has been a highlight during your time at Univention?
The launch of Nubus was a major milestone, and we celebrated with a virtual escape room – that was a lot of fun! Another memorable moment was my first visit to Bremen. Although it was rainy and looked very different from home in Spain, I felt so warmly welcomed that it actually felt like home.
I also appreciate Univention’s support for my personal development, like helping me learn German.
What differences do you notice between working in Spain and Germany?
Univention has structured processes that guide us without being rigid. They act like guardrails to help us do our jobs well.
In Spain, it’s harder to separate work and personal life. Here, there’s a clearer distinction, which makes it easier to maintain balance.
What advice would you give to someone considering a remote position at Univention?
Univention provides everything you need to work remotely. My advice: set up a dedicated workspace to separate work from personal life. Be prepared to actively engage in the virtual office – collaboration is key. Univention also helps with all the administrative processes, like tax numbers and paperwork. Plus, you have the flexibility to adjust your workday to fit your needs.
