Join us
What makes Exoweb a great place to work?
Exoweb is owned, built, and managed by people that are software development craftsmen at heart, by people who believe in:
... and we're hiring ;)
Putting people first
The most important factor of any project’s success is whether you have good people working on it. Smart people working together can usually figure out and overcome any problem.
By definition, the work we do is unique and difficult. If there are shrink-wrapped products out there that do the job, we wouldn’t need to build anything. We don’t do projects that are very repetitive, like massive manual testing and some types of localization. We do work that require lots of teamwork, communication, and creativity. So, we need people that thrive with this kind of work; we need smart people that gets things done.
A nice side-effect of this extreme focus on recruiting the right people is that you’ll find that your colleagues are generally people you can respect and learn from. Things are just a little bit less… stupid. We trust in people, avoiding rules and control structures where possible, so we have a very flat organization structure with minimal bureaucracy; work is as painless and straightforward as possible.
The right person is someone that has the right talents and passions. We place limited emphasis on experience or skills, as those are easily picked up if you have the right talents. Gender, educational level, hometown or nationality do not matter. We do, however, carefully check that you are a good programmer — in any programming language of your choice.
Overall, our recruitment and management philosophy is quite in line with what you find on Joel on Software, and in the books First, Break All the Rules and Now, Discover Your Strengths. We think Joel's Test for what makes a good software development shop is not good for evaluating agile shops, however, and have put up our qualified answers.
This focus on putting people first is continued from recruitment into management, through the way we develop software, using an agile methodology called Scrum.
Agile methodologies
Our mission is to invent the best way to build software, to help pull the software development industry out of the software crisis that has plagued it the last 40 years. We’re not alone: software developers around the world are gathering around what's called agile methodologies. The future is clearly agile, but as of now we are one of very few agile shops in China.
We started out with the Scrum agile software development method. In true agile fashion, however, each team owns and evolves their own process. They purposefully and constantly experiment with the process, keeping what works and throwing away what doesn’t. The result is a process that is uniquely suited to the team, technology, client, and project at hand.
There are many differences between agile and traditional software development, but what matters for you as a software developer are:
- you spend less time writing and reading big documents
- you spend lots of time with real code, discussing designs and quality with colleagues
- you’re not alone — you always work closely together with other developers
- you only work 40 hours per week — we believe in having a balanced life
- you never have to live with a stupid process — your team can change it
- software development can be your lifetime career — you don’t have to become a manager if you don’t want to
Software development done in this agile way is so radically different from traditional software development that we have to have a radically different office environment. Our office is pretty cool:
- it's a big loft — open to foster communication
- it's filled with whiteboards — to encourage collaboration
- it has plenty of relaxation areas inside and outside — for when you need inspiration
- it has an extensive library — monthly Amazon orders keeps it fresh
- it has a coffee machine, a selection of teas, and a fridge stocked with soft drinks — all free for you, as brains need fuel throughout the day
- it has a big screen TV, with PlayStation 2, Wii (4 wiimotes), DVD, Apple TV, 3 AC 5.1 speaker systems connected via AirTunes — for when you need to relax
Many visitors comment on our office when they see it for the first time. Its design goals convey the spirit of our company: a place that values creativity and collaboration; a place that is humane; a place that puts people first.
Open source
A couple of other things will probably also strike you when you enter our office; nearly all computers have two monitors, and you you'll have to look a while to find a computer running Windows.
Today’s world is rapidly moving towards open source, but Exoweb has been committed to using and supporting open source communities and technologies for the last 7 years. And for good reasons!
Open source:
- can be freely customized to perfectly fit our requirements
- enables us to share maintenance and development costs of non-core components with world-wide developer communities
- are often of great quality, security, scalability, and robustness
Our culture is deeply rooted in open source. Years ago we established the Chinese Python community, and since then we have donated a server and IDC network fees to run this and other communities. We participate in world-wide sprints for projects we use, such as Django, and we contribute components and bug fixes back to the open source community whenever we can.
Some people join Exoweb because they love the technologies we use, such as Python, Linux, Apache, Django, PostgreSQL, and MySQL. But many of our best people didn’t know anything about Python before they joined. So, don’t worry if you don’t know much about open source… you’ll learn quickly.
Job Openings
All positions are in Beijing and are effective immediately.
- Software Engineer
- Software Engineer, iPhone Games
- Linux System Administrator(Junior)
- HR Coordinator
- Community Manager （Mobile Gaming）
Software Engineer
Python / JavaScript / Ajax / Django / SQL
Responsibilities
Software development using advanced technologies and practices (distributed processing, scripting object-oriented languages, Extreme Programming).
Requirements
- Creative and analytical — You must be a great problem solver, with the ability to dive deeply into complex problems and emerge with clear and pragmatic solutions.
- Ability to create excellent code — You must write correct, clean and efficient code that you are proud of. You must be able to learn any programming language. We assume that you can use at least one of Java, C, C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, SQL, Perl or PHP and are willing to develop your skills in Python and other web languages.
- Passion — You must have passion for what you do. Involvement in Open Source projects or a portfolio of your hobby projects is a big plus.
- Ability to learn in English — You must have good enough English reading/writing to study new technologies in English quickly, and preferably a good base for improving your spoken English if necessary.
- Understanding of web technologies — We assume that you know HTML and that you can quickly master all the rest. Understanding of network protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP and DNS as well as core web technologies such as CSS, JavaScript, Ajax, DHTML, and others is an advantage.
- Prior knowledge of any of Python, Linux, Twisted, TurboGears, Ruby on Rails, Django, Scrum, or Extreme Programming is a plus.
Benefits
Free drinks (e.g., soft drinks, tea, coffee) — flexible work hours — partially sponsored broadband at home — free flu shots and yearly health check — access to our events and extensive book library — discounted gym membership. See also agile methodologies for a description of our office and its facilities.
Qualified and tempted to join us as a Software Engineer?
Please send your English (and optionally also Chinese) resume to and mention that you found our ad on www.exoweb.net. We are sorry to say that we can not consider your job application if it comes without an English version of your resume. Thanks!
Software Engineer, iPhone Games
Objective-C / C / C++ / OS X / Cocoa / iPhone / mobile
Responsibilities
Software development of iPhone games and other applications, including participation in application or game design.
Requirements
- Creative and analytical — You must be a great problem solver, with the ability to dive deeply into complex problems and emerge with clear and pragmatic solutions.
- Ability to create excellent code — You must write correct, clean and efficient code that you are proud of. You must be able to learn any programming language. We assume that you can use at least one of C, C++, or Objective-C.
- Ability to learn in English — You must have good enough English reading/writing to study new technologies in English quickly, and preferably a good base for improving your spoken English if necessary.
- Prior knowledge of any of game design, game development, Objective-C, OS X / Cocoa development, mobile phone application development, Scrum or other agile methodologies is a big plus.
Benefits
Free drinks (e.g., soft drinks, tea, coffee) — flexible work hours — partially sponsored broadband at home — free flu shots and yearly health check — access to our events and extensive book library — discounted gym membership. See also agile methodologies for a description of our office and its facilities.
Qualified and tempted to join us as a Software Engineer, iPhone Games?
Please send your English (and optionally also Chinese) resume to and mention that you found our ad on www.exoweb.net. We are sorry to say that we can not consider your job application if it comes without an English version of your resume. Thanks!
Linux System Administrator(Junior)
Responsibilities:
- Manage Exoweb's IT infrastructure (both internally and remotely), including:
- Setting up servers for Exoweb and its clients
- Maintaining servers of various types and requirements
- Maintaining linux desktops
- Maintaining hardware
- Ensuring Security of servers, desktops, and data
- Developing and maintaining Linux-based server solutions
Requirements:
- ENJOY SOLVING PROBLEMS - You have the ability to dive deeply into complex problems and emerge with clear and pragmatic solutions.
- DETAIL ORIENTED AND CAREFUL - You're able to to anticipate problems in advance, and responsible enough to handle mission critical systems.
- SERVICE ORIENTED - You get a kick out of fixing people's problems - completely.
- PASSION - You love learning about new open source technologies and ways to make systems more reliable and easier to understand.
- FOCUS ON CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT - Whether it's apache servers, postfix, or obscure networking problems, you like to make sure everything is up and running at peak performance.
- INFO-JUNKIE- You keep up to dates on security issues, automation and reporting technologies that allow you be the first-to-know about any problems with any of the systems you're responsible for.
- ABILITY TO LEARN IN ENGLISH - You must have good enough English reading/writing to study new technologies in English quickly, and preferably a good base for improving your spoken English if necessary.
- PRIOR KNOWLEDGE IS A BIG PLUS - Linux or Unix system administration
Qualified and tempted to join us as a Linux System Administrator(Junior)?
Please send your English (and optionally also Chinese) resume to and mention that you found our ad on www.exoweb.net. We are sorry to say that we can not consider your job application if it comes without an English version of your resume. Thanks!
HR Coordinator
Responsibilities
- Human resource management — You take care of tasks ranging from job advertising to on site and remote interviewing, in a way that Exoweb is always the earliest bird recruiting the best talents. You create and maintain a working and learning environment that is challenging, organized and fun - just the right one to make sure none of our employees thinks that the neighbor's grass is greener.
- Career development system and training — You help in the development of a career development system for the company with the objective to make the learning curve of our employees skyrocket. You design internal training materials and hold training seminars. Subjects of the trainings can vary from English, to business communication, researching all the way to more technical subjects.
- Represent and network — You help establishing relevant contacts and enjoy following up on them.
Job Requirements
- Eye for detail — You agree that it's by minding the detail that one makes the real difference. You might compromise in discussions but never on quality.
- Service oriented — You make sure you always know our employees needs and desires and come up with efficient and convenient solutions that meet these needs.
- Get things done — You are a great problem solver, with the ability to dive deeply into problems and emerge with clear and pragmatic solutions. You won't rest until the solution you came up with is implemented.
- Great language and (business) communication skills — You are a natural when it comes to connecting with people and take pleasure in communicating with them. You are professional and quick at it. People around you think you are a native English speaker, even this may not be the case. Elementary Chinese language skills and the “fire” to quickly improve them are a big plus.
- Think out of the box & persistence — "Impossible?" - you won't believe this until you haven't thought of and tried every option imaginable. Your team mates almost call you obsessed.
- Training and presentation skills — Learning propels you, training excites you. You prefer the stage to the seat in the audience. You have some experience, the rest you assure with your talents.
- Structured and organized — You must be able to multi task in an organized and efficient manner. You know what it takes to establish and keep time lines on track and take troubleshooting as a challenge and/or fun rather than stress.
Qualified and tempted to join us as a HR Coordinator?
Please send your English (and optionally also Chinese) resume to and mention that you found our ad on www.exoweb.net. We are sorry to say that we can not consider your job application if it comes without an English version of your resume. Thanks!
Community Manager （Mobile Gaming）
Responsibilities:
- Organize and coordinate all support work for Happylatte games, including email, blog, and social media support.
- Setup, organize, and lead our online user communities.
- Set up and improve support systems.
- Manage other support personnel.
- Man the support desk as required.
Requirements:
- ENGLISH - You are a great communicator in English (at native or near-native level).
- SERVICE ORIENTED - You get a kick out of fixing people's problems - completely - and turning complainers into fans through great service recovery.
- ONLINE NETIZEN - You can easily make your way around the Internet, and engage in communities that are there.
- SYSTEMS ORIENTED - You strive to create and improve upon systems that increase effectiveness.
- DETAIL ORIENTED AND CAREFUL - You're able to stop and anticipate problems in advance, and responsible enough to handle mission critical systems with the care and attention required.
- TEAM PLAYER - You work well in cross-functional teams, know how to clarify work and responsibilities, understands and follows priorities, errs on the side of taking too much responsibility, and communicate problems and progress in a timely manner.
- PRIOR KNOWLEDGE - Familiarity with other support systems and organizations, and the workings and promotional opportunities of social media such as blogs, Twitter, BBS, and Facebook, and the app store, is a plus.
Qualified and tempted to join us as a Community Manager （Mobile Gaming）?
Please send your English (and optionally also Chinese) resume to and mention that you found our ad on www.exoweb.net. We are sorry to say that we can not consider your job application if it comes without an English version of your resume. Thanks!
