Meet Mathias Paech, better known as Muri, Senior Engineering Manager at Freenow. A passionate technologist and lifelong learner, Muri has been part of Freenow’s growth journey from the early days. He’s known for his hands-on approach, curiosity, and ability to connect people and ideas to move projects forward.
Thanks for joining us! To start, what’s something unique or surprising about you that most people don’t know?
I do a lot of different things: I DJ and livestream on Twitch, I love mountain biking, I’m a beekeeper, I keep quails too, and of course, I’ve been programming since I was 12 years old.
That’s a great mix of passions! How did your career lead you to Freenow, and what does your role look like today?
My background is in software engineering. I have a German engineering degree (Diplom Ingenieur), which makes me one of a breed that’s becoming extinct as it was replaced by the bachelor’s/master’s system.
I’ve developed software in different industries, from interactive media to game development and now in the mobility sector. I was leading a team before, but when I joined Freenow, I decided to step down to focus on and learn Android development.
When I started, there was just one passenger team and one driver team in the room next door. As we went through hypergrowth, I became the Android Chapter Lead for the passenger Android chapter. Now, I have a very diverse role as a Senior Engineering Manager covering cross-functional areas, not only leading my team but also working with many departments and teams to unlock the business and overcome challenges, while still coding and staying close to our tech stack.
Thanks for sharing that. What makes your work at Freenow both challenging and rewarding?
It’s awesome to have this multiplying factor with my team, who turn many of my ideas into reality to overcome the challenges we face as a business.The biggest challenge for me is the extreme ownership that we practice. Sometimes it’s overwhelming and feels like too much when digging very deep into the challenges. At the same time, it’s rewarding to become so impactful while being guided by our company values.
What do you enjoy most about being part of Freenow?
The diversity of people. It’s a real advantage to have different cultures and perspectives working on the same problems. It’s also much more fun. Working with an international team is the only mode I can imagine for myself.
And finally, what would you tell someone who’s thinking about joining Freenow?
Go for it. Be open-minded and authentic. It’s okay to be different.
Muri’s journey is a great example of how curiosity, creativity, and collaboration come together at Freenow. Here, people who stay curious and bring their full selves to work can make a real impact. If you’re ready to do the same, we’d love to have you on the team.