Meet Allan Chepkoy, Software Engineering Lead at the Cloud Product and Engineering Department at Rakuten Symphony, as he shares his journey, insights, and the philosophy of "bubbles" that guides his work and life.
Tell us about your journey to Rakuten Symphony
I’m originally from the countryside of Western Kenya. After high school, I moved to Nairobi to attend university, majoring in physical sciences. From a young age, I was fascinated by science and eager to understand the universe. During university, I also developed a strong interest in computer science and engineering, which intertwined with my love for science.
After working in Nairobi for a while, I was on the lookout for a new challenge and I came across an online advertisement on LinkedIn about opportunities in Japan. After several rounds of interviews, I secured a position in Japan within six months. I joined Rakuten in April 2020, initially with Rakuten Mobile before transitioning to Rakuten Symphony.
Once I had joined Rakuten Symphony, I was delighted to find myself in the middle of a big corporate with a startup culture, giving me the chance to create and innovate. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally while working on exciting projects.
Can you share a bit more about your current role?
I work as a Software Engineering Lead at the Cloud Product and Engineering Department, where I focus on guiding and supporting our team. I assess the skills of each team member to ensure they align with their tasks, and if not, help them reach their full potential. Understanding each individual is crucial, and I work closely with everyone to ensure tasks are accomplished effectively.
One of the tools my team and I are helping develop, the ‘Automation Studio compiler’, acts as an interpreter, facilitating seamless communication and translation between different programming languages and systems. Essentially, we build and refine this "translator" to make it as efficient and resilient as possible, streamlining the workflow for everyone involved.
What has been the highlight of your time at Rakuten Symphony?
One of the most important moments for me here was when I realized the connections among different disciplines of science. Everything can be broken down into fundamental principles. After working here and interacting with various tools, this realization was incredibly enlightening and has been a highlight of my time at Rakuten Symphony.
Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you?
I don’t have a specific phrase, but I’ve developed my own philosophy about "bubbles." Most people are comfortable with what they know and find anything new challenging. Everyone lives within their own bubble, and recognizing this is crucial. If you’re too locked within your own bubble, you might miss out on valuable context and information from others. It’s all about bubble discovery. You don’t know what you don’t know, and this inspires me. I try to listen without assumptions. The more you learn, the more you can expand your bubble.
This philosophy has greatly helped me in my work at Rakuten Symphony. By expanding my bubble, I am able to better understand and collaborate with my colleagues, leading to more efficient teamwork and innovative solutions. It allows me to appreciate diverse perspectives and integrate them into our projects, ultimately contributing to our collective success.
What are some hobbies you enjoy pursuing in your down time?
Since moving to Japan, I’ve discovered a love for skiing. After taking a few lessons, I realized how much I enjoy it. I also play futsal regularly. Additionally, I spend a lot of time on research, exploring abstract mathematical concepts - it’s intellectually stimulating for me.
I’ve been fascinated by aviation since I was young. The physics of flight and the ingenuity behind airplanes amaze me. I hope to get a private pilot license someday, so I practice regularly on flight simulators. It's a way for me to stay connected to my dream of flying.
What’s next for you?
I want to bring a fresh perspective to how we develop and implement technology at Rakuten Symphony. Simplifying complex processes and making technology more accessible and efficient is crucial. I’m currently working on a framework to help achieve this goal. My aim is to integrate these simplified processes into our projects at Rakuten Symphony, driving innovation and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to cutting-edge solutions. This journey is about making technology work better for us, and I’m excited to see how it will shape our future here.
