Building, solving, and staying: Gonzalo’s Story

“I like solving problems. Especially the ones no one else wants to touch.”

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Gonzalo Vilaseca has been solving complex problems at Third Bridge for the last seven years. Today, he’s a Distinguished Engineer, a title that reflects not just his technical expertise but also the depth of knowledge he has about the systems the company is built on.

Starting out at Third Bridge

Gonzalo joined Third Bridge as a Senior Backend Developer after studying Computer Science and working as a developer straight out of university. “The interview was with Bruno (our current Head of Product Management) and several other developers, and it was very engaging. I enjoyed the vibe,” he recalls. “That’s what made me decide to join.”

At the time, Third Bridge was still small, with just two main products. Gonzalo joined a team that, at the time, was tasked with building out a very basic product that would become what’s known today as Library. “Our job was to evolve the product and make it better,” he says.

Over time, Gonzalo naturally took on leadership responsibilities within the team, and soon a new challenge came calling.

Helping to build a new product

When the idea for Surveys began to gain traction, Gonzalo was the first developer assigned to bring it to life. “The small group of people spearheading Surveys reached out to me because they knew I wanted to do something different,” he explains. “We started story mapping straight away and I had to learn everything from scratch.”

The project was a success. “We had to experiment with various solutions to support Surveys, but it worked. And it’s been running for two years now with minimal changes,” he says with pride. It’s one of the projects that makes him feel most connected to Third Bridge’s growth.

Solving complex problems

Today, Gonzalo’s role as a Distinguished Engineer involves supporting the Large Data Solutions team while fielding requests from newer teams working on systems he helped build. That often means diving into complex legacy systems that many engineers find challenging to unpick.

“I wasn’t afraid to dig into the system. Some people are afraid of things they don’t understand, but I enjoy it. It’s a challenge. The more you work with it, the more you know it, and the easier it becomes,” he says.

He’s particularly proud of one project from his early years. “We sent a newsletter every weekend, and the process took 20 to 24 hours. In the early days, like with most products, sometimes it would break halfway through. I managed to reduce the process time to barely one hour and make it more robust. It’s been running smoothly for five years now with hardly any issues.”

Alongside problem-solving, Gonzalo sees mentorship as an important part of his role. “What’s important is being available,” he says. “Instead of giving the solution outright, I try to ask questions so they can think about how to reach that solution themselves. That’s how people tend to learn best.”

Seeing projects through

In an industry where developers often move every couple of years, Gonzalo has stayed for seven. “Most developers join a company, build something, and leave before they have to deal with long-term maintenance,” he explains. “But I like to stay and see how projects progress. You learn a lot from seeing problems that appear five or six years later. Even when I joined, the Third Bridge Intranet was already what you’d traditionally call a “legacy platform”. I want to see the end (and next evolution of it) if there is one.”

That long-term perspective, paired with a genuine enjoyment of his colleagues, has kept him engaged. “Before COVID, we had lunch together every day. It felt like a small family, and that’s why I’m still here. I enjoy working with the people I work with.”

Life outside the office

Outside of work, Gonzalo is a passionate cyclist and regular at his local gym. “After COVID, I had more spare time because I didn’t have to commute, so I started going to the gym three times a week. I’m getting older, and the gym helps with that too,” he says. “But mainly I’m into mountain biking, BMX, and cycling in general.”

Even an injury couldn’t keep him still. After breaking his collarbone in a BMX accident, Gonzalo bought an old sewing machine and taught himself to make his own cycling bags. “I had plenty of time, so I needed to do something I could manage with a broken collarbone. The bags have held up pretty nicely,” he laughs.

He also helps out at a local BMX club, maintaining their website, managing bookings, and organizing races. It’s another way he channels his energy into building things that last.

Advice for new joiners

Gonzalo’s advice for anyone starting at Third Bridge is to always be willing to help. “The more you help, the more connections you build and the more exposure you get across the business,” he explains. “That’s good for your career and for the people around you.”

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