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David Daudelin is a Senior Front End Engineer on Pinwheel’s Core team. In our first Pinwheelie Spotlight, we talk with David about his work, his background, and how startup life is treating him.
What does your job entail and what are some of your key objectives right now?
I’m the front end guy. As an API company, most of the team is focused on back-end work, but my role focuses on the parts of the products that customers and end users visually interact with. So I do a lot of work on Link, the modal that opens in applications and allows end-users to select their employer, authenticate information with their payroll platform login credentials, and authorize the direct deposit change. I’ll also work on the documentation, and eventually the home page.
What drew you to your field?
I started doing game development when I was 14, so I’ve always really liked the visual aspect. I knew I would enjoy working on the parts that people can see and visually interact with.
What has been your favorite part of working at a startup?
I think the main thing is that it changes the motivation for work. I worked at large companies all of my career, and in those situations I didn’t feel the same level of personal connection to my work. Out of virtue I always want to do a good job, but in this environment, I actually look forward to the work day because I know that every ounce of effort I put in will yield returns. Working for a startup brings work back to the way it used to be. Whatever I put in, I get back. It goes back to the natural incentive for work.
After being here for a little while, I’ve realized that in addition to that, because we’re so small, I know the rest of the team depends on me for our success and I depend on them. It’s kind of like when I played basketball in high school. The whole team depends on one another and how well the others perform. Another benefit of working in a small team is that I see everyone else going all out to help us win. No one wants to let the team down, and it is motivating to see the rest of the team that I depend on doing everything they can to help us succeed.
What's the most gratifying part of your job?
The most gratifying part of it is when I see the work I do actually move the needle for the company’s success or alleviating a customer pain point. For example, a few weeks ago I did a ticket where I swapped the order of our platform and employer selection in the search and immediately saw our metrics turn up. That’s definitely the most gratifying.
Describe the Pinwheel Team in 3 words.
Fun, humble, and scrappy.
Which Pinwheeler would you choose to help you survive on a deserted island?
Gotta say Phil (Pinwheel's Director of Product) on this one. Between daily cycling, olympic weight training, and just generally being chill and having a handle on everything organizationally, I like my chances.
Favorite Pinwheel Slack channel?
Dad jokes!*
*Editor’s note: David created our #dad-jokes Slack channel shortly after his arrival. The whole team looks forward to his daily posts, and the channel has really taken on a life of its own.
