About Jose

I'm Jose Cortés, Product Manager in Backbase's Amsterdam hub. After spending most of my life in Málaga, I moved to live in the Netherlands with my wife and my three cats (yes, three cats).

My enthusiasm for programming software was sparked by a ZX Spectrum game that I got from my dad when I was eight years old. It ran on BASIC programming language, and I could load games and programs on it using tapes. I didn't quite understand much about it, but it fascinated me how it worked. Years later, I had the chance to work as an intern in a small company in Málaga, as a web developer. There I learned everything about PHP 4, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Long story short, that's how my career as a software developer starting out 15 years ago.

Tell us about your job. What do you do at Backbase?

I joined Backbase five years ago as an Android Engineer. This year, I moved into a new role as Product Manager. I work with multiple teams in our Amsterdam and Cardiff hubs. I define the roadmap and work closely with internal stakeholders and customers alike to identify what we're going to build in the product. I make sure that the teams have everything they need to do their job.

What brought you to Backbase?

The opportunity to start something from scratch, define, create, and own a new product. Plus, the challenge to work in a company that had little mobile development knowledge.

How does your work contribute to Backbase's mission to power the digital banking revolution?

We're building solutions that will be used in every single mobile application that Backbase is going to develop for its clients. Our focus is on offering a strong, secure and frictionless authentication journey for the customer.

What's unique about Backbase's engineering culture?

Two things: striving for quality code and craftsmanship. This is something that has been evolving steadily in the past years.

What do your parents think you do?

Haha, this is a good one. My parents think that I do something related to "biometrics".🧐

If you could do another job for a day, what would that be and why?

I would probably love to work in my own book/boardgames shop where I would have a piano. This way, I would be mixing three of my passions: music, board games, and reading.

What advice would you give to someone interested in joining Backbase?

Backbase is an interesting company with a great culture and good learning opportunities and growth paths. Check any of the social media channels, @life_at_backbase, and you will see a bit of this amazing culture through the posts and pictures.