Interview with Alexander – Senior Developer, Problem Solver and Metalhead

Interview with Alexander

Being a senior consultant means more than writing code. It’s about leading, solving problems, and sometimes being the person who gets things moving when everything has stalled. Alexander, one of our most experienced consultants, has over sixteen years in the industry—but still talks about his job with the energy of someone who just started.

On being a senior consultant

– “Many people think senior means you can do everything. But for me it’s more about knowing when to dig deep and when to move on. I no longer have to prove I know all the technical details. My role is to see the big picture, simplify and drive progress.”

He describes his daily work as a mix of technology and people. One day he might build new integrations in the cloud; the next he might explain to a client why one solution will serve them better in the long run.

– “That’s where I thrive—on the boundary between code and communication. In the morning I might dive into a complex backend architecture or microservices design; in the afternoon I explain to management why the right data model matters. That combination makes the job meaningful.”

Why Sparkhouse?

For Alexander it was important to find an environment where he can be both a developer and a person.

– “At Sparkhouse nobody tries to be showy. Things are straightforward, not dramatic, but with high density of competence. You work with big clients and tough problems, but you never feel alone. That’s a good mix.”

He laughs when he talks about how he often bounces ideas with his colleagues:
– “We’re all a little nerdy, but in different ways. That means you always get new perspectives. It’s actually one of the greatest strengths here—being senior but still able to grow.”

The challenge of being senior

Being senior also means a different kind of responsibility.

– “When you’re new in the industry you get energy from learning something new every day. When you’re senior it’s more about guiding others and keeping the team moving forward. That can sometimes be more challenging than solving a technical problem yourself.”

He describes the feeling when the team gets stuck in details:
– “hen you can’t just sit quietly and wait. You have to dare to have the talk, to prioritize, to say ‘now we go this way’. That takes experience—and a bit of patience.”

Being a metalhead

Outside of work Alexander is a hardcore metal fan. He collects records, goes to concerts—and sees an unexpected parallel to working as a developer.

– “Metal is about energy, attitude and community. It’s the same thing in a development team. You can be incredibly skilled individually, but it only becomes really good when you do it together.”

He laughs while describing the feeling at a concert:
– “It’s a bit like when you get a system into production. Everything clicks, all parts work together, and there’s a momentum you can almost feel. Then you know why we do this.”

The future

Alexander looks ahead with the same curiosity he brought when he started in the field. Cloud services, AI and new integration patterns are things he believes will shape development in coming years.

– “I think consultants will need even more in the future—not just technical skills, but the ability to translate that into real business value. That’s where we make a difference.”

Talking with Alexander feels like listening to a great riff—energetic, clear and driven. He is senior, but far from finished. For him the job is as much a passion as the music.

– “In the end it’s about building something that lasts. Whether it’s a digital platform or a concert experience. If you do it together with others, it’s always better.”

Read more

• Senior Consultant at Sparkhouse
• Engage a Senior Developer Over Time
• 7 Reasons to Choose an Integration Hub Over Point-to-Point