Pedro Reis' Blueprint as a Frontend Engineer & System Architect

Diversity, innovation, and excellence intertwine in the DNA of Mercedes-Benz.io. Join us as we embark on a journey to showcase the vibrant tapestry of our tribe. Through "no Blueprint for Excellence", we celebrate some of the unique paths and stories of our MB.ioneers andwhat is their blueprint — or, being a tech company, their motherboard. 😉

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For Pedro Reis, excellence isn’t a static achievement. “It's a destination, and you get there by gathering feedback, reflecting on it, and trying to do better today than you did yesterday”, he says. This mindset is what drives him professionally and personally. A front-end developer and system architect at Mercedes-Benz.io, his journey from clinical psychology to tech is a true testament to the transformative power of change.

A Career Turnaround

Pedro’s professional beginnings were rooted in psychology. Holding a master’s in clinical psychology with a specialisation in the forensic context, he worked for nearly six years in the prison system in Portugal. But after a while, he felt it was time for a career change.

“When I made the decision to shift careers, I was lucky that my now wife, who was then my girlfriend, suggested a post-graduate course to retrain me for IT,” he recalls.

Pedro left his job, started online programming courses, and eventually enrolled in the post-graduate program that would change his life. The program was a yearlong internship, combining day classes in programming and data science with night classes. By the end of the year, if all went well, participants could transition into full-time roles as developers. For Pedro, the transition to front-end development was seamless.

“Most of my tasks ended up being front-end related,” he says. “I became more specialised in that specific area.”

Joining Mercedes-Benz.io

Three years later, Pedro discovered that Mercedes-Benz.io was expanding into Portugal. Excited by the opportunity to work in a growing company, he applied for a front-end developer role. He joined the team early on, just as the company was beginning to take shape in Lisbon.

“I was looking forward to joining,” Pedro shares. “It was great news. Being able to join at such an early stage gave me the opportunity to help shape the company.”

A Culture of Innovation and Play

One of Pedro’s fondest memories of his time at Mercedes-Benz.io is the unique, creative interview process.

“We did an out-of-the-box Halloween event,” he recalls. “Candidates had to go through a haunted house to reach the interviewer. It was fun and a great way to bring out the personality of potential candidates.”

For Pedro, the combination of a strong work culture and a focus on work-life balance makes the company stand out.

“I’ve never worked anywhere that fosters this kind of work-life balance,” he says. “It’s a place where you can feel tranquil, and that’s important, especially as a parent.”

A Bridge Builder

Pedro sees his role as a bridge builder — someone who connects teams, ideas, and requirements.

“I work in an agile release train, and my goal is to support teams in doing their best work,” he says. “I help translate business requirements into something more relatable for developers, and vice versa.”

By enabling his teams to communicate and collaborate effectively, Pedro helps create an environment where innovation thrives.

Pedro’s Blueprint

Pedro’s journey from psychology to tech is a remarkable example of resilience and growth. His focus on continuous improvement, collaboration, and balance has shaped his success at Mercedes-Benz.io.

“I would say my core values are tranquility, cooperation, and family. Those things matter, both in my work and in life.”

As Pedro reflects on his blueprint, it’s clear that his commitment to growth, teamwork, and balance has laid the foundation for a successful career — and a fulfilling life.

Join the Journey of Excellence

Thank you for reading about this episode of no Blueprint for Excellence. Each story shared here is a glimpse into the mindset and dedication that drive our Mercedes-Benz.ioneers to innovate, create, and excel. If you're inspired by these journeys, we invite you to explore the full video series on our YouTube channel, where we bring these conversations to life with the people behind the stories.

Stay connected, stay inspired, and continue the journey with us!