Džemil Koca: Innovating with Every Line
Meet Džemil Koca, the newest feature in our Walter Humans series. Džemil has been with Walter Code for over six years, playing a key role in building powerful web applications and solving complex challenges. His curiosity and passion for understanding how things work have shaped his growth in the tech world. Outside of work, Džemil enjoys creating music, using the same creativity and focus that make him a valuable part of the Walter Code team.
Can you share the journey that led you to become a Software Developer at Walter Code?
It all started with a deep curiosity about how things work beneath the surface — whether it was taking apart gadgets or figuring out how websites tick. As soon as I got my college degree, I started my first web development role, and I got hooked. My journey, from learning the basics of PHP and JavaScript to working with advanced web technologies, felt like a natural progression. More than 6 years ago, I joined a small group of people that would later become Walter Code, and that was a big step forward — a place where I could flex my creativity while solving complex problems, and most importantly, a place filled with good people.
What motivates you to keep growing in your field?
It’s the thrill of constant evolution. The tech landscape is always shifting, and I love staying at the edge of innovation. Plus, building something from scratch and seeing it come to life is pure satisfaction. Each solved problem feels like leveling up.
How do you stay focused on your long-term career goals?
I break it down. Having big goals can feel overwhelming sometimes, so I focus on smaller milestones — whether it’s mastering a new framework or completing a challenging project. It keeps the path exciting but manageable.
What strategies or habits help you progress toward your professional aspirations?
Consistency is key. I dedicate time daily to learning something new or refining my knowledge. Pairing that with real-world application in my work at Walter Code makes growth feel seamless.
What are your favorite ways to unwind after a busy day of coding?
It’s a good mix of physical activity and a bit of gaming. A run clears my head, and a quick session of Elden Ring keeps the strategy gears turning.
Are there any hobbies or activities you’re passionate about outside of work?
My number one hobby is music production. It also means sitting in front of the computer mostly because I do almost everything in a software environment, except using MIDI keyboards for playing, but music is an important part of my life and one of the most enjoyable activities that I can get into.
What do you enjoy most about working at Walter Code?
What keeps me here all this time are mostly people. The collaborative culture is exceptional and feeling that everyone’s on the same wavelength when it comes to pushing boundaries, communication between tasks, and a sense of humor. Plus, the freedom to be creative with solutions keeps things exciting.
How do your colleagues inspire or support you in your daily work?
They’re an incredible mix of talent and motivation. Whether it’s a brainstorming session or code review, they challenge me to think deeper and improve daily. That kind of positive push is invaluable.
Can you tell us about the project you’re currently working on and what excites you about it?
Until a couple of weeks ago, I worked on a large-scale LMS system called GO+, produced, owned, and managed by the Swedish company TicTac. I started working on this project about 5 years ago, contributing to both backend code and databases, as well as basic server operations and frontend programming. The system initially supported over 1.5 million users and 10,000 courses and modules. Over time, the team expanded to include additional developers, designers, and QA testers, and I played a key role in assembling and leading the team. A significant part of this project was the complete rewrite of the application about 2–3 years ago. As the number of customers and users grew, and as technologies became outdated, we transitioned to newer technologies and architectures. We became a team of 6 people through this process, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining high-quality standards.
A couple of days ago, I officially started working on a new project, which is a kind of invoice handling application, and can’t tell you much about it still but It’s a new stack and technology for me, and currently feels like a really refreshing experience.
What are some challenges you’re tackling in your current role?
Handling scalability while maintaining high performance is always a challenge. As the app grows, making sure it can handle increasing loads without sacrificing speed or security keeps me on my toes. That’s something that is always challenging. But, since I just started a new project, the main challenge is to make good architecture of code and database in the beginning and predict what this application requires to be efficient and scalable a few years from now.
Do you have any advice or tips for aspiring developers or those looking to break into tech?
Start building. Theory is important, but there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. Don’t be afraid to experiment and fail — it’s the quickest path to learning. The main thing is to make progress but mostly in a sense to learn how to fail better.
What’s one thing you wish you knew earlier in your career?
The importance of understanding the business side of things. Tech is about solving problems, and having a solid grasp of the larger business picture helps you deliver solutions that truly matter.
Conclusion
Džemil’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity and dedication in the tech world. From his early days of tinkering with gadgets to advancing major projects at Walter Code, he continues to inspire those around him. Stay tuned for more stories from our talented team in the Walter Humans series!
