HI SANJAI CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

Hi, I’m Sanjai, originally from India. In 2018, after getting married, I moved to the Netherlands with my wife to start an exciting new chapter in our lives. This move has allowed me to experience a different culture and broaden my horizons both personally and professionally.

I have a strong passion for technology and enjoy working in the tech industry because it constantly challenges me to learn new things and stay updated with the latest innovations. Beyond work, I’m curious about different cultures and love exploring new places, which enriches my perspective and helps me grow as an individual.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE IT AREA?

In India, there are many engineering colleges, and the IT industry offers countless opportunities, so pursuing a career in this field felt like a natural path for me. From a young age, I’ve always been curious about how technology works and enjoyed solving problems, whether logical or technical. That curiosity gradually turned into a passion, and it made the decision to enter the IT world an easy and exciting one.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT A MAJOR TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER THAT LED YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

A major turning point in my career was moving to the Netherlands. This transition not only marked a big step in my personal life but also opened up new professional opportunities. Working in a completely new environment allowed me to broaden my perspective, adapt to different ways of working, and learn from a diverse and international team.

I began my journey in the Netherlands as a Full Stack JavaScript Developer at another company, where I gained valuable hands-on experience with modern web technologies. Over time, my interest in automation, infrastructure, and continuous improvement led me to transition into a DevOps Engineer role at Essent, a move that has allowed me to grow both technically and strategically.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC INFLUENCES OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED YOUR CAREER PATH?

I don’t have one specific mentor, but I’ve always found inspiration in the people I’ve worked with. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with talented and driven colleagues who brought diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.

Their support, feedback, and shared knowledge have helped me grow continuously, both technically and personally. These day-to-day interactions have played a major role in shaping the way I approach my work and have contributed significantly to the professional I am today.

HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT ESSENT, AND WHAT MADE YOU APPLY?

I first came across Essent on LinkedIn and was immediately drawn to the company’s strong presence in the energy sector, as well as its commitment to innovation and sustainability. That combination really stood out to me and aligned with my own interests and values.

At the time, I had been working in the insurance industry for a while and felt ready for a new challenge, something that would push me out of my comfort zone and allow me to grow in a different domain. Essent offered the perfect opportunity to explore a dynamic and future-oriented sector, while continuing to build my skills in a modern tech environment.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?

I work as a DevOps Engineer in the Contractors team at Essent. Our team is responsible for the customer onboarding and retention flow, essentially making sure that customers can easily browse, select, and purchase energy contracts through a smooth and user-friendly experience.

My main focus is on front-end development, where I ensure that interfaces are intuitive, responsive, and aligned with business needs. In addition to that, I also develop APIs, review code, participate in feature refinement sessions, and collaborate closely with the back-end team to ensure seamless integration across the entire system. It’s a well-rounded role that combines technical challenges with cross-functional teamwork.

WHAT TOOLS OR TECHNOLOGIES DO YOU RELY ON THE MOST IN YOUR DAILY WORK?

On a daily basis, I work with a variety of tools and technologies, including Angular (with NgRx), Sitecore CMS, AWS (particularly Lambda and CloudWatch), TypeScript, and Visual Studio Code. I also use Opsgenie for incident management, Miro for collaboration and brainstorming, and Jira for task and project tracking.

WHAT PROJECT OR INITIATIVE ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I am proud of being part of my current team. We work on the customer onboarding flow, which is the landing page of our application where people buy non commodity products. Millions of customers you this page, and we make sure their experience is smooth and easy from the beginning.

HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE CONTINUOUS LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN YOUR TEAM?

After successfully delivering a feature to production, we make it a point to celebrate our achievements and acknowledge everyone’s contributions. We regularly take time during meetings to appreciate each other’s efforts, which helps build a positive and motivating team culture.

We also organize small celebrations, like cake cuttings, team lunches, or fun activities, to strengthen team bonding

CAN YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

I am not sure if this counts as a fun fact, but I actually learned to drive a car by watching YouTube videos haha :)!

CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL MANTRA OR PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU LIVE BY?

I always try to stay calm, and I believe that speaking a few meaningful words has more impact. I also believe everything happens for a reason.

ANY ADVICE FOR PEOPLE ASPIRING TO WORK IN YOUR FIELD OR IN A ROLE SIMILAR TO YOURS?

Be open to learning every day. Technology keeps changing, so try to stay update to date. It’s okay if you don’t know everything right away, just stay curious and ask for help when needed, and be patient with your growth.

We would like to thank Sanjai for the time he took to speak with us, and the insights he shares. If you have any lingering questions for him, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will ensure you are promptly connected.