Mews R&D Check-In

Mews R&D

Hosted by Jan Meissner, our R&D Community Lead, this podcast takes you behind the scenes with Mews' engineering, design, product management, content design, data science, and more. Explore the stories, collaborations, and insights that fuel innovation across the company.

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#18
June 15 · 19 min
José Silva: We are only successful if the teams are successful
— A Mews R&D Check-In on scaling architectural practices, reducing the cognitive tax for product teams, and why engineering maturity matters more than ever In this episode of the R&D Check-In our host Jan Meissner sits down with José Silva, Chief Architect, to demystify how technical leadership and systemic architecture operate at scale in a modern R&D organization. José shares his organic transition from a visual-focused web designer to Chief Architect, emphasizing that senior technical leadership is less about forced ambition and more about naturally bridging gaps between divisions. The conversation dives deep into AMET (Architecture Modernization and Enablement Team) and how Mews rejects the traditional, siloed architecture team in favor of a dynamic, collaborative "practice." José breaks down how AMET uses specialized architectural "runways"—covering APIs, data, and governance—to proactively pay the "coordination tax" and alleviate the cognitive overload on product teams so they can focus entirely on value delivery. A major focus of the episode is the rapid evolution of AI and its massive impact on organizational foundations. José highlights how AI drastically amplifies an ecosystem, warning that an unstable architecture will only see its weak spots targeted faster by automated agents. The discussion shifts toward the future of governance, moving from human-led documentation to machine-readable guardrails that protect the organization while allowing AI teammates to safely run loose. Finally, José shares his personal passion for "engineering maturity," discussing the importance of mentorship, navigating corporate subjectivity, and creating psychological safety so that engineers of all levels feel safe challenging senior technical decisions. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
#17
May 28 · 24 min
Petr Bambušek: I don’t think I’ve written a line of code this year
— A Mews R&D Check-In on how AI is reshaping frontend engineering, the Staff Engineer role, and the rise of autonomous development agents. In this episode of the R&D Check-in at Mews, host Jan Meissner speaks with Petr Bambušek, Senior Staff Frontend Engineer, about how frontend engineering and the Staff Engineer role have evolved in a fast-scaling tech company. Petr reflects on her path from early startup “do-everything” work to frontend specialization and later engineering leadership roles, including stepping in and out of management. The conversation explores what a Staff Engineer actually does when the role has no fixed definition, where autonomy, prioritization, and problem selection often matter more than writing code. A key theme is also the cultural acceptance of trying different roles and stepping back without stigma. A major focus is the impact of AI on daily engineering work. Petr describes how modern tools shifted from simple autocomplete to context-aware collaborators, changing her workflow toward verification and orchestration of AI-generated work, including infrastructure tasks like Terraform. The episode also introduces “Moxly,” an internal AI agent embedded in engineering workflows via pull requests and Slack, helping with reviews, analysis, and even task execution. It reflects a broader shift toward persistent, cloud-based AI teammates and a future where engineers spend less time implementing and more time guiding systems. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
#16
May 12 · 24 min
Markéta Willis: Stop calling it a personal brand
— A Mews R&D Check-In on career transitions, visibility in tech, and why soft skills matter more than ever In this episode, Jan Meissner sits down with Markéta Willis, our Software Engineer and content creator, to explore her shift from languages into IT, and what she learned along the way. They discuss how breaking into tech is not just about learning to code, but managing the mental and emotional challenges that come with a complete career change. What started as sharing her journey online quickly evolved into a more intentional approach to building visibility. The conversation also dives into how expectations for engineers are changing. With AI making coding more accessible, companies now look beyond hard skills—valuing communication, presence, and the ability to represent ideas clearly. They wrap up with practical insights on creating content, thinking long-term about your digital footprint, and why stepping outside your comfort zone, whether online or on stage, is key to growing your career. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
#15
April 8 · 18 min
Alex Ratman: I’ll drive a bus once our observability is top-level
— A Mews R&D Check-In on the evolution of frontend observability, migrating complex data platforms, and building a culture of engineering proactivity. In this episode, our host sits down with Alex Ratman, Senior Software Engineer at Mews and a self-proclaimed observability enthusiast. Alex shares the story of how a performance gap on the customer side led his team to build the first true observability solution for frontend engineering at Mews—moving from being "blind" to having eyes on every interaction. The conversation goes deep into the "Why" behind the massive migration from New Relic to Coralogix. Alex explains the three-pronged decision: solving the cost problem, closing data gaps that large-scale platforms often miss, and finding a partner that offers the support needed to teach developers a whole new discipline. They also discuss the human side of tech: The Frontend Observability Kindergarten. Alex breaks down why he started a "kindergarten" to teach the basics, his tips for running a successful engineering guild, and how his team uses AI (and Coralogix' MCP server) to create POCs that give engineers hints on where to start an investigation. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
#14
March 4 · 16 min
Sofía Santos: Service design is more than just workshops
— A Mews R&D Check-In on service design, organizational systems, and the art of intentional discovery at scale. In this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Sofía Santos, Staff Service Designer in the Growth Tribe at Mews. Sofía shares her unique perspective on what it means to design for the entire customer journey—from the first interaction with a brand to the complex onboarding and support systems that keep a product running. The conversation explores how a service designer's way of thinking bleeds into everyday life, including Sofía's habit of prototyping her own kitchen to optimize human interaction with space. She unpacks the common misconceptions of the role, explaining why the real value of a service designer lies not in the "sticky notes" of a workshop, but in the deep discovery, visual mapping of pain points, and strategic alignment that happens behind the scenes. They dive into the challenges of designing for a massive ecosystem, the importance of "signals" in mapping a vision for 2026, and how to balance structured experimentation with a sense of playfulness. Sofía also shares how she leverages AI as a "critical thought partner" to stress-test ideas and build high-fidelity narratives for future-state journeys. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E13
Dec 10, 2025 · 19 min
Rui Oliveira: This is the road to a centralized identity
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on product thinking, platform complexity, and building a unified experience at scale In this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Rui Oliveira, Senior Product Manager in Mews Platform Enablement Tribe. Rui shares his unconventional path into product—from studying electrical engineering and building betting automations at his university, to shaping product across industries like e-commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, and now hospitality at Mews. The conversation dives into what it really means to build products for both internal and external users, and why these groups require different ways of gathering feedback and understanding their needs. Rui also unpacks the surprising complexity of hotel operations, the long journey behind our long-awaited granular permissions project, and how improving user roles and access control ties directly into reducing phishing risks across the industry. They discuss the challenge of integrating acquired products into a seamless ecosystem, why consistent identity and permissions matter across the suite, and how all of this feeds into the vision for the M-Suite: one login, one identity, and one unified experience for every customer and team. Check Rui's recent blog post on granular permissions. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E12
Nov 25, 2025 · 18 min
Jiří Vinárek: AI is powerful—but only if your data is
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on data, AI realities, and the rise of semantic intelligence In this episode, our host Jan Meissner sits down with Jiří Vinárek, our Staff Data Scientist, to demystify the world of data. What’s the real difference between data engineers, analysts, and scientists? How do these roles work together to transform raw information into powerful insights? And why does good data feel a bit like high-octane fuel for AI? Jiří shares his journey from studying math and physics at university to becoming one of the earliest data people at Mews—building dashboards, prediction models, and even a CO₂-monitoring pet project back when the whole company fit in one room. He breaks down what AI can do, what it really can’t, and why understanding models (and your data) matters far more than pressing “generate.” They dive into the hype versus reality of GenAI, why arguing with an LLM is pointless, and how emerging concepts like semantic layers and agentic AI will shape the next wave of hospitality tech. Along the way, Jiří reflects on teaching beginners through Czechitas, the surprising joy of relearning fundamentals, and why diverse backgrounds strengthen product teams. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
#11
Nov 13, 2025 · 19 min
Roger Ribas: Security is not a cost center, it's a profit protector
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on security, trust, and protecting the ecosystem In this episode, our host sits down with Roger Ribas, Senior Engineering Manager of Technical Security at Mews, to explore how building a proactive security program can protect both products and customers. Roger shares how his team approaches security beyond development, tackling live threats, phishing, AI risks, and operational resilience, while enabling product teams to innovate safely. They discuss the journey of turning security from a perceived “cost center” into a profit protector, why humans aren’t the only weak link in the AI era, and how embedding security seamlessly into the development lifecycle strengthens trust and reliability. Along the way, Roger reflects on his path from telecommunications engineering to cybersecurity leadership—and what it means to make security an enabler, not a blocker. A forward-looking conversation on how people, processes, and AI come together to safeguard products, customers, and growth. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E10
Oct 23, 2025 · 14 min
Stephan Delbos: Docs, learning, and AI working together for users
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on knowledge, learning, and the evolving user experience In this episode, our host sits down with Stephan Delbos, Senior Director of Product Knowledge Activation at Mews, to explore how bringing documentation, education, and knowledge management together can transform the user experience. Stephan shares how his team is shaping an AI-first approach to content creation, from internal GPT-powered documentation to smarter onboarding through Mews University and in-product learning. They discuss the journey toward self-supporting users, designing content that both customers and AI can understand, and why measuring the business impact of words matters as much as the words themselves. Along the way, Stephan reflects on how his background in literature informs leadership in tech—and what it means to make learning part of the product, not an afterthought. A forward-looking conversation on how documentation, data, and creativity come together to drive growth and a more intuitive user journey. --- Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E5
Oct 2, 2025 · 41 min
Mews R&D Podcast with Yael Barak and Joel Ndreu
In this episode, R&D Community Lead Jan Meissner sits down with Yael Barak and Joel Ndreu, two new leaders at Mews with very different journeys—one through fintech, the other through real estate and big tech. From early online payments and designing the World Trade Center to stints at Facebook and Zoom, they share what drew them to hospitality tech, why 1,500 people feels like the “right size,” and how to keep engineers focused on impact (not just perfect code). They also touch on the future of payments, scaling challenges, and yes—that Mews might have the best socks yet. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E9
Aug 29, 2025 · 17 min
Richard Schäfer: We’re not just listening, we’re understanding
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on building developer experience, tooling, and and improving how teams work together Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our host chats with Richard Schäfer, Director of Developer Experience at Mews, about what it takes to create a seamless experience for engineers and how developer tooling can scale with a growing company. From his journey from engineer to DX leader to why small teams don’t always need dedicated DX, Richard shares candid insights on leadership, cross-team collaboration, and measuring the impact of work that often happens “behind the scenes.” They dive into Mews’ design system, how adoption affects the customer experience, and the ways DX balances listening to engineers with shaping scalable solutions. There’s also discussion on community building within engineering teams, the role of AI in speeding up development, and why experimentation and adaptability are key to a thriving tech organization. A reflection, hands-on guidance, and a touch of playful curiosity—showing that enhancing the developer experience can be just as creative and impactful as crafting the products themselves. --- Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E8
Aug 15, 2025 · 39 min
Richard Valtr: The human part of work is the high-value part
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on leading, learning, and staying paranoid (in a good way) Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, goes freestyle with Mews founder Richard Valtr in what might just be our first-ever “mini–maxi” podcast. From what a founder’s day really looks like to why staying connected to customers of all sizes matters, Richard shares candid thoughts on leadership, culture, and the fine balance between chasing Goliaths and avoiding becoming one. They explore how AI could reshape work (inside and outside hospitality), why experience still trumps pure automation, and the importance of questioning everything—even the founders. There’s also talk of sports fandom, optimism for the future, and why Richard prefers to keep some passions as hobbies rather than turning them into jobs. It’s part reflection, part future-gazing, and part playful banter—proof that big ideas can come from conversations without a set agenda. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E7
Jul 29, 2025 · 16 min
Vladimír Pinďura: Engineering is about skills and interactions
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on team engagement, managing remotely & learning from experience Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, Jan Meissner sits down with Vladimír Pinďura, Engineering Manager in Connectivity, to explore the challenges and rewards of leading a distributed team. Vladimír shares how he keeps his team engaged across distances, measures success beyond numbers, and fosters continuous learning through dedicated sessions. They discuss the impact of visiting customers in person — what it means for team motivation and connection to the product — and reflect on strategies Vladimír thought would work but ended up rethinking. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E6
Jul 15, 2025 · 16 min
Magdalena Piątek: I wanted to know what happens in the background
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on engineering growth, backend switch-ups & building multicurrency Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, talks with Magdalena Piątek, Senior Software Engineer at Mews, about her inspiring transition from frontend to backend — and how that shift led her to lead the development of our multicurrency feature in the fintech domain. Magda shares how curiosity, a supportive team, pair coding sessions, and real-world learning (including online courses and hands-on development) helped her grow into her new role. She dives into the mindset shift between frontend and backend, how working closely with PMs, support teams, and even Stripe has expanded her business thinking. The conversation also touches on mentorship, developing soft skills, and the value of stepping outside the comfort zone — both within Mews and through her involvement with Czechitas. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E5
Jul 1, 2025 · 15 min
Adi Tamches: Designing for guests in a B2B world
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast on what it takes to design for guests — inside a B2B product Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, talks with Adi Tamches, Senior Product Designer at Mews, who focuses on crafting the guest experience — from check-in to check-out and beyond. Adi dives into what it means to design for B2C users in a predominantly B2B product, and how real guest feedback and close collaboration with hospitality-savvy colleagues inform the work. She also touches on how even occasional team exposure to the product in real-world contexts can offer valuable perspective — helping the team stay aligned with the needs of both guests and operators. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E4
Jun 20, 2025 · 15 min
Sylvia Tang: APIs are not a new concept
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast about turning hospitality insights into product impact Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Sylvia Tang, Product Manager in the Connectivity team at Mews. Sylvia shares her journey—from studying at hotel school to starting in Mews customer support, all the way to her current role in product. With a deep passion for numbers and systems thinking, Sylvia found her way into product management not by working directly with the Mews system, but by working around it—closely collaborating with customers, integration partners, and third-party developers to shape how Mews connects with the wider hospitality ecosystem. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E3
Jun 5, 2025 · 16 min
Ondra Heřmánek: I learned I was too soft to be a manager
— A Mews R&D MiniPodcast about one engineer’s journey through roles in backend and management Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, sits down with Ondra Heřmánek, Staff Backend Engineer and true Mews veteran. Together, they explore Ondra’s fascinating career path — from hands-on backend engineering to leading teams as Head of Backend and Engineering Manager, and ultimately returning to his roots as a Staff Engineer. What drives someone to step away from management and back into code? What lessons does Ondra carry from each role? And how does it shape the way he works today? To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E4
May 22, 2025 · 53 min
Mews R&D Podcast with Matt Welle
In this episode, R&D Community Lead Jan Meissner sits down with our CEO, Matt Welle, for a behind-the-scenes look at how Mews evolved from whiteboard wireframes to a leading hospitality platform used by thousands. From launching a PMS with zero lines of code to learning what it really takes to set up a product team, Matt shares how deep hospitality pain and constant iteration shaped Mews' tech DNA. One moment that might surprise you: Matt didn't go for the obvious choice when asked which R&D team he’d join as an engineer. You’ll have to listen to find out. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E2
May 6, 2025 · 15 min
Václav Kučera: Why Wouldn’t We, as Developers, Use a Professional Tool?
— A Mews R&D podcast on mechanical keyboards and developer obsession Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this new episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Václav Kučera, our Staff Backend Engineer and passionate mechanical keyboard enthusiast. They dive deep into Václav’s love for custom keyboards, his role as a Czech mechanical keyboard meetup organizer, and why this niche hobby resonates so strongly with engineers. Get ready for clicky switches, keycap talk, and a whole lot of keyboard nerdery. To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram
S1 · E1
Apr 29, 2025 · 14 min
Hugo Oliveira: Kanban or Scrum? We Don’t Prescribe, We Support
Welcome to the Mews R&D mini podcast series! Bite-sized conversations with the people behind our tech – short interviews, fresh insights, and more guests from across Mews R&D. Stay tuned for stories, ideas, and a peek behind the curtain of how we build. In this first episode, our R&D Community Lead, Jan Meissner, chats with Hugo Oliveira, our Director of R&D Enablement. They dive into Hugo’s journey, the role of enablement in tech organizations, and what it really takes to make engineering teams thrive. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To learn more about Mews R&D team, go to: / mewsrnd / mewsrnd https://developers.mews.com/ To learn more about Jan and Hugo, go to: / jan-meissner / hugo-oliveira-pmp-csm/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay To learn more about Mews R&D team, check out our: website LinkedIn Instagram

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