From France to Japan: Exploring Innovation and Embracing Fatherhood. Remi Bleuse, Application Engineer at Rakuten Symphony, shares his inspiring journey and career aspirations.
Tell us a little bit about your journey to Rakuten Symphony.
I’m originally from Lille, in the North of France, close to Belgium. I have a bachelor’s degree in IT, and before coming to Japan, I had eight years of experience as an applications engineer. My decision to move to Japan was inspired by my first visit in 2015. It was a holiday with a friend, and I fell in love with the place. We spent three weeks exploring the country, and I was captivated by the culture, landscapes, and the people’s mindset. When I returned to France, I found myself longing to go back.
Determined to make the move, I returned to Japan to learn the language and enrolled in a Japanese language school. During this time, I managed to secure a part-time job with Rakuten Group, thanks to a recruiting company that contacted me. I was already familiar with Rakuten from my time in France and was thrilled about the opportunity. I transitioned from part-time to full-time in October 2022, and officially transferred to Rakuten Symphony in March 2023.
Since joining Rakuten Symphony, it’s been a thrilling journey. The collaborative environment and innovative projects keep me constantly engaged and motivated. The decision to move to Japan has enriched my professional and personal life in ways I hadn’t imagined, and I’m excited about what the future holds at Rakuten Symphony.
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What made you say ‘yes’ to joining the Rakuten Symphony team?
What attracted me to Rakuten Symphony was its innovative approach, particularly with Open RAN technology. Although this is my first time working in telecom, I find it incredibly exciting because the work we do has direct impact on millions of people who use smartphones daily.
Being part of a team that develops applications for these users is very rewarding. We need to ensure our applications are high-performing and reliable, as they are crucial for providing a seamless experience for the end users. The focus on delivering top-quality products and the dynamic, forward-thinking culture at Rakuten Symphony made it an easy decision for me to join the team.
What do you do at Rakuten Symphony?
I’m an Application Engineer in the Link Department, responsible for maintaining the backend systems that keep data flowing smoothly, ensuring reliable performance for all users.
To explain further, the apps you use on your browser, iOS, or Android device aren’t entirely on your phone. They’re actually on a server in the cloud. The app on your phone is essentially a display that requests data from the server, like “show me my posts” or “fetch my feeds.” This data isn’t stored on your device but is retrieved from the server. My job is to ensure this data is correctly read, transferred on demand, and displayed on your device.
If our application experiences downtime due to network issues, the app on your device won’t function properly. This makes the backend crucial for a seamless user experience!
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What does a day in your life look like?
I don’t have a typical day, as my tasks can vary widely. However, my work generally involves writing a lot of code. We’re responsible for delivering new features and improving our software, which includes everything from development to maintenance and monitoring. Since our application serves millions of Rakuten Mobile users, ensuring high performance is crucial. Every time we want to release a new feature, we need to run extensive performance tests to make sure everything runs smoothly. This focus on performance is something I really enjoy about my job!
What’s surprised you the most about Rakuten Symphony since joining?
What surprised me the most is how committed everyone is to getting things done. People here are incredibly dedicated to their jobs and focused on their priorities. I’m amazed to be surrounded by colleagues who are passionate about their work. It’s not easy to find this level of commitment in other companies!
What are your hobbies outside of work that keep you sane?
When I was in France, I was a big fan of padel and played it very often. I also enjoy playing tennis. Recently, I became a father, which has completely changed my life. My daughter is only a few months old, and I’m enjoying every moment with her, taking her out and experiencing life through her eyes. It’s truly a life-changing experience and brings a new kind of joy and balance to my life outside of work.
Is there a phrase, saying or person that inspires your work?
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” - Steve Jobs.
This quote by Steve Jobs truly resonates with me. Innovation has the power to change the world. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and to embrace new challenges. In our field, innovation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. We constantly bring an innovative mindset to the table because it’s the key to making a real impact and staying ahead in the tech industry.
What is your suggestion for people joining here?
At Rakuten Symphony, we are encouraged to push the boundaries, learn new things, and not be afraid of the unknown. My suggestion for new joiners is to embrace this culture of continuous improvement and forward-thinking. Be open to stepping out of your comfort zone and take advantage of the opportunity to innovate and grow. This environment makes working here incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and you’ll find that the more you engage with it, the more rewarding your experience will be.
So what’s next for you in your career?
I see myself advancing my career here at Rakuten Symphony by becoming a Tech Lead. My goal is to become a key reference for our team members, providing support and sharing my knowledge. I want to educate and support the team, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can grow and succeed together.
