From an Internship in Malaysia to a New Chapter in the U.S. - Hao Bin's Story with Configura

Q: Can you tell us about your journey at Configura – how did it all begin?

Hao Bin: It all started during my final year studying Computer Science at Monash University. I had the opportunity to join Configura through a six-month internship placement program, and that's where the journey started.  During my 8 years with Configura, I've worked as a developer and was later promoted to senior developer, leading and contributing to several R&D initiatives. Later, I stepped into an interim role of product owner, leading my current team (Prism) in modernizing CET’s UI and supporting our customers’ adoption of the brand-new design system. Today, as principal developer, I am responsible for driving the technical vision and setting development standards for the CET platform. 

Q: What made you stay and grow your career here? 

Hao Bin: From the start at Configura, I was entrusted with real, impactful projects that directly improved our user's daily work. While it was challenging at times, it pushed me to grow, gave a sense of purpose and meaning to my tasks. Over time, I learnt that software engineering here is more than writing code, but about solving real world problems through thoughtful collaboration and continuous improvement.

And of course, it's also about the people I get to work with everyday! People here are always open to helping one another and they are passionate about what they do, which is inspiring.

Hao Bin playing a friendly game of Pickleball together with colleagues in Kuala Lumpur

Q: How has Configura supported your development from Intern to Principal Developer? 

Hao Bin: I have had lots of help and trust from the people at Configura throughout the years. I was encouraged to take ownership and lead initiatives, from tackling technical challenges, contributing to product strategy, to helping to grow the team. I have had the flexibility to explore cross-functional roles including product management and to lead a team, which helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow into a more well-rounded contributor. 

 Q: You recently accepted a relocation to the US office – how are you feeling about this next step? 

Hao Bin: It's a big step, but I am excited. I see it as an opportunity to challenge myself both professionally and personally. I am grateful for the chance to broaden my perspectives, immerse myself in a new environment, and bring what I've learned to support our global operations. 

The team at Experience- our annual conference

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out at Configura? 

Hao Bin: Be curious, stay open to new ideas, and don't be afraid to share your thoughts or ask questions. The openness and the culture of Configura allows for your voice to make an impact. 

Q: And outside of work – what do you enjoy doing? 

Hao Bin: I'm a big fan of Cities: Skylines - it is a city-building simulation game where you design the road and infrastructure, construct buildings, and manage public services. It is sort of like a creative outlet for me, there's deep problem solving involved and there's literally infinite possibilities. Besides that, I also enjoy photography, travelling, and hitting the gym. 

Hao Bin enjoying a peaceful hike in the great outdoors

Q: Bonus question – fika time! What’s your ultimate fika combo? 

Hao Bin: While I enjoy a classic fika with coffee and pastries, the Malaysian in me thinks the ultimate fika combo is a cup of Milo (a chocolate drink) with some cream crackers (preferably Hup Seng brand, of course). Simple and comforting.