Mathias Gaberle, Senior Software Quality Engineer, started working at exmox in 2021 after they joined forces with Empfohlen, where he’d been working since 2019. Originally from the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Mathias always had an interest in computers and was interested in working in the gaming industry as a developer.
However, after studying computer science for 2 years at university, he realized he preferred more hands-on, practical work as opposed to theory. He then started an apprenticeship as a software developer, which is where he discovered his passion for software testing and quality assurance.
Read more below to learn about Mathias’ role as Senior Software Quality Engineer, his favorite projects, and advice he’d give to those wanting to enter the field.
How has your role as Senior Software Quality Engineer evolved since you joined exmox?
When I shifted from Empfohlen to exmox, I worked on development but mainly focused on testing. Now that exmox is expanding, my focus has been primarily on quality assurance. I’m also working on expanding my skills in testing automation, which bridges both worlds – development and testing.
For those unfamiliar, can you explain what a software quality engineer does?
My job starts when we discuss new features. We testers usually have the deepest knowledge of the software because we test it in-depth so we can give feedback on potential issues early on. We think about how to test features, identify edge cases, and ensure everything works as expected – even in scenarios where the developers might not consider issues. The goal is to ensure the software functions smoothly for the end users, especially in critical areas like user experience or paid transactions.
What does a typical day at exmox look like for you?
I start with coffee, of course! Then we have a stand-up meeting at 10 a.m. to discuss what we did the day before and what we’ll work on today. After that, I dive into tasks on Jira, where developers move their completed tasks into the QA column, and I then take over from there to ensure all acceptance criteria are met. My work also includes testing new features, identifying potential issues, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
What’s been one of your favorite projects at exmox?
One of my favorite projects has been building a test automation framework. It’s important to automate tests for features like log-ins and sign-ups, which need to function flawlessly. By automating these tests, we can ensure that even when new changes are pushed to the codebase, critical functionalities remain intact.
What makes working at exmox special for you?
The people. Even though we’ve grown beyond the startup phase, it still feels like a startup in terms of culture and responsibility. There’s a lot of trust from the C-level team. They give us responsibility and the freedom to grow without micromanaging. That’s something I really appreciate here – it feels like I’m working with a great team on something big, not just working for someone. My work is valued here, and that’s what I appreciate about exmox.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get into your field?
First, make sure you have a passion for quality. Testing can be repetitive, and you need to enjoy finding bugs and improving things. Also, staying up-to-date with the latest technologies is crucial. Lastly, good communication is key – working face-to-face with your colleagues makes it easier to discuss issues and bugs.