While many companies have recognized the value of in-person collaboration and taken that as a cue to bring employees back into offices full-time, we’ve taken a different path at Modelwise. As a remote-first, globally distributed engineering team, we see flexibility as not just a perk, but a performance enabler.
We’re not just shaping the future of functional safety engineering — we’re helping build a new model for what the workplace of the future looks like.
Here is how we’ve built this remote-first culture, and what it looks like in practice through the personal stories of two of our team members around the world.
Smart Working: A Budding Chief of Staff Building the Skills of Tomorrow
Lowri, our current executive associate, is a British Oxford graduate currently living in Florence, Tuscany.
“In Italy, they call it smart-working — and it really is. I’m building a career in an exciting, fast-moving company without giving up the chance to explore the world, gain invaluable life experience.
Our truly global team means working with people from cultures I might otherwise never encounter. The impact this has on my personal and professional wellbeing is undeniable, making me even more motivated and able to contribute my best.
As someone currently transitioning to a Chief of Staff role, this model has been hugely formative. I’ve had to learn to create culture remotely, communicate across cultures and time zones, and build trust without physical presence. These are the exact capabilities leaders will need to manage the workplaces of tomorrow.
Also responsible for our people operations, I can say confidently: we wouldn’t have the talented team we do if we’d only hired where we had legal entities. Our EOR partner, Playroll, made my own hiring — and that of others in a range of complex situations — simple and compliant, without the legal headache.
Our globally distributed team brings a richness of perspectives that shows up in everything from strategy to product design. And when we do meet in person, it’s a fresh, exciting, and intentional experience we do not take for granted. That blend of remote-first work and periodic, meaningful connection is our superpower.”
From Offshore to Remote — Staying Close While Building Something Big
Ivaylo, one of our newest team members based in Bulgaria, has the exciting job of making our software value-adding for everyone in the safety design process — from designers and safety engineers to managers, ensuring an intuitive UI from day one and delivering exciting new features.
“A few years ago, my work meant being away from home for months at a time. As a watchkeeping officer on oil tankers, I spent long stretches at sea, missing important moments with my loved ones.
Eventually, I made the decision to change course — professionally and personally. I transitioned into software engineering, driven by a passion for solving complex problems and building meaningful technology.
Today, I’m part of a company developing a world-class solution for engineering teams. It’s challenging, fulfilling work — and I can do it from home without a huge move that would have greatly disrupted my family life.
The biggest difference? I’m no longer missing out. My toddler is now 1.5 years old, and I get to be here — for the milestones, the mess, and the magic of everyday life.
I’m still building something big. But now, I’m doing it without leaving the people who matter most.”
Rituals That Bind Us
We believe in intentional, high-impact in-person moments, not default office mandates. Our approach combines the flexibility, diversity, and autonomy that remote work enables with regular team meetups that allow us to reap the benefits of face-to-face interaction — deeper trust, stronger team identity.
This philosophy shows up in our daily practices, too. As a German startup, we maintain our Monatsabschluss-weißwurstfrühstück, which is our end-of-the-month Weißwurstfrühstuck (of course, there is also a veggie option!), a tradition blending camaraderie with creative collaboration to exchange thoughts and connect with the team, no matter where we are in the world.
We also gather for on-site team meetings that strengthen our bonds and align our vision — like our recent meetup that brought together our distributed team for strategic planning and genuine connection.
Our remote-first approach isn’t just about where we work — it’s about how we work. Be it scheduling a call around the globe or coordinating team collaboration, we prove that remote work doesn’t mean disconnected work. When we do come together, whether virtually or physically, the energy is palpable and the collaboration is electric.
These moments prove that our remote-first culture isn’t just talk — we actively build connections that transcend physical boundaries.
Our Partners Make the Difference
Our remote-first model is only possible because we have the right systems and partners behind the scenes. When it comes to global compliance and hiring, Playroll makes it seamless.
They have helped us build a team — and a way of working — that is as forward-thinking as our technology.
Playroll is a global employment platform that lets you hire, manage, and pay teams in 180+ countries compliantly. With EOR services, global payroll, and contractor management, Playroll simplifies global employment, with solutions built for speed, flexibility, and ironclad security, that complement your existing HR ecosystem.
If you’re building a global team or looking for a smarter way to scale remotely while staying compliant, we highly recommend them.
Just as our technology redefines how engineering gets done, Modelwise’s global, flexible team model is redefining where and how the work behind that happens.
Want to learn more about our technology? Visit our Produktseite.
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