Engineering at Wise: Turning creativity into impact

Amani, Engineer in our Budapest office, has transformed her passion for problem-solving into a vital role supporting our FinCrime teams 🚀

Learn how Amani's journey at Wise is making a meaningful impact ⬇️

Tell us about your background. How did you get into Engineering?

I grew up in Tunisia, fascinated by how things worked, and my family encouraged me to pursue Engineering. After studying, a scholarship led me to Hungary, where I completed my degree in Software Engineering.

What attracted me to Wise was not only the chance to work with cutting-edge technology but also the culture that emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and impact, which resonate with me. Joining Wise as a Graduate Software Engineer, I quickly learned that this was a place where my ideas could thrive and make a real difference.  I’ve been at Wise now, for a year and 8 months, and as a Compliance Tooling Software Engineer, I’m part of a team that’s dedicated to making financial services fairer and more accessible for everyone.

You’re based in Budapest, tell us about how you ended up there 

Moving to Budapest in 2019 was one of the best decisions I've made, not just academically but personally. The city offers a unique blend of rich culture and modern innovation, making it an exciting place to live and work. I've had the chance to connect with people from all over the world, enriching my experience even further. Working for Wise in such a beautiful city has been incredibly rewarding, offering both professional growth and a fulfilling personal life.

What ways of working do you have in the Engineering team?

Every day, I find myself working alongside diverse teams, such as FinCrime and KYC. This cross-functional collaboration is not only exciting but also crucial, as it provides us with valuable insights into the customer journey. It helps us, as Engineers, to truly understand what our customers want and need, driving us to innovate and enhance their experience.

Wise has been instrumental in my growth from the very beginning. The culture here encourages exploration and supports ambition. When I expressed interest in expanding my role, my leadership team was right there, encouraging me to take on new challenges. This support has allowed me to broaden my scope and deepen my understanding of the complexities involved in our products and services.

I'm constantly looking for ways to innovate and streamline processes, all while ensuring our customers' security. It's a dynamic environment where every day brings new opportunities to learn and make an impact. Being part of a team that values both innovation and security means that we're always pushing boundaries, finding new ways to make financial services fairer and more accessible for everyone.

What makes your work rewarding?

I’ve always been naturally creative, and enjoyed anything that requires my mind to work in a creative yet logical way. I'm constantly challenged to think outside the box. For instance, when our team faced a complex debugging issue, it was our creative collaboration that led us to a solution. This experience highlighted the power of teamwork and the dynamic environment at Wise, where diverse perspectives drive innovation.

Collaboration isn't just about working with different teams like FinCrime, KYC, and Customer Service; it's about how we can enhance the customer’s experience. My work contributes to our mission by helping our financial crime teams handle verification and investigations as smoothly as possible. If their tools work well, customers can get verified faster and have fewer delays in accessing their money. That indirect impact feels just as important as working on a customer-facing product, because it helps keep Wise secure and trustworthy.

I find it incredibly satisfying to see the positive impact our tools have, even though they support internal users instead of external customers. When I help an agent resolve a case faster or build something that saves them time, I know I’m contributing to smoother and safer customer experiences. This aligns perfectly with Wise's culture of innovation and impact, where every day brings new opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference.

What qualities help someone thrive at Wise?

Having a product mindset is key — don’t just build something because it’s been requested by another team; question why it matters, who it serves, and how it can be better. Equally important is effective communication. In a collaborative environment like Wise, being able to articulate your ideas clearly, listen actively, and engage with others across various teams is crucial.

What advice would you give to someone looking to apply to Wise?

Bring a personal project you care about. During my interview, I shared my thesis project, which was an app I built for my dad’s business. Talking about something you truly invested time and passion into is a great way to show your skills, problem-solving mindset, and motivation. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should reflect what excites you about engineering.