From Angola to Australia: A backend developer’s journey

Read how this backend dev is powering a high-traffic web app at a tech startup

For the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked to our JDoodle users and have been fascinated by their journeys. But today we got to speak to one of our team members, Manuel Almeida, one of our backend developers.

Born in Angola, he moved to Brazil at a young age, where his love for computers was sparked early on. Now, living in Australia, he continues to show this love by supporting JDoodle’s backend operations diligently.

My first love: Windows 95

Manuel’s career began in an unusual place—his childhood fascination with a Windows 95 computer.

“Since I was a kid, I loved computers”

But unlike other kids whose love for computers stems from playing video games; Manuel on the other hand loved card games and spent hours experimenting with simple applications like Word and Paint.

And so began Manuel’s tech journey. From Windows applications to a degree in computer science in Brazil and then working in numerous tech companies, Manuel made it over to Australia. That’s where his journey with JDoodle began.

Joining JDoodle

Manuel joined JDoodle because he was fascinated by its developer-first approach.

“JDoodle is a company where the product is a development platform, and I thought working for a company like that would make me feel more welcome.”

For Manuel, one of the standout aspects of JDoodle is that it’s led by developers for developers, making it easier for the team to understand the challenges he faces.

Working primarily on backend operations, Manuel often deals with the invisible parts of the system.

“Sometimes you don’t see it but all that front-end functionality needs the backend to happen.” One project that he’s particularly proud of is the improvements made to JDoodle’s project manager model.

“We’ve been making a lot of improvements, and for me, that’s the differential.”

Manuel’s advice for aspiring developers

For Manuel, backend development isn’t just a job—it’s a constantly evolving challenge. One of his core beliefs is the importance of staying up-to-date in the tech world.

“My advice for future developers? Stay up to date with new technologies.”

He also sees artificial intelligence as a field that he believes will have a major impact on the industry.

What does backend development look like at JDoodle?

Managing the backend is challenging, but for Manuel, it’s rewarding. He values the supportive and collaborative culture, even with the team spread around the world.

But the future? Manuel dreams of starting his own business one day.

“I think it’s good when you can apply all that knowledge for something great, and there’s something you can tell that is yours.”

That is so inspiring to hear.

For now, though, JDoodle remains a key part of Manuel’s journey, helping him sharpen his skills, face new challenges, and be a part of something he’s truly passionate about.

Want to tell us about your JDoodle journey?

We are looking for JDoodle users who have a story to tell and experiences to share. So if you too are interested, reach out to us at hello@jdoodle.com or zahwah@jdoodle.com.