Meet the Team: Ecem Kilic
June 17, 2025
Meet the Team
June 17, 2025
Meet the Team
From sending her very first LinkedIn message to earning a well-deserved promotion, Ecem Kilic’s journey at Cleverbit Software is a story of curiosity and growth.
Based in Turkey and working fully remotely, Ecem has been a valued member of our team for over three years. What started as a leap of faith through reaching out to a then-stranger (our amazing Senior Software Developer Halil Kalyoncu) turned into a referral and now a fulfilling career path paved with learning, trust, and team spirit.
Ecem originally trained as an Industrial Engineer and completed seven internships across a variety of industries, from factories to corporate offices. But her desire to challenge herself and seek a more dynamic, future-proof career led her to tech. She became the first in her family to branch into software development, stepping outside her comfort zone to make the pivot. Today, she still enjoys learning and often shares her experience with students who are curious about careers in tech.
Ecem appreciates the strong culture of inclusion at Cleverbit, where she feels heard, respected, and fully integrated into job-related discussions. She describes her team as responsible, hardworking, and open - a positive dynamic where questions are welcomed, collaboration is natural, and everyone’s contribution matters.
Remote work suits her lifestyle, although she admits to missing the casual mingling of an office setting. Thankfully, Cleverbit’s annual get-togethers help fill that gap.
Outside of work, Ecem finds calm and creativity in ceramics. What started as a fun outing with friends has evolved into a solo hobby that she describes as a form of meditation, where she can be fully present in the moment. At home she also enjoys watching crime/mystery shows - give her an unexpected twist and she’s hooked.
When it comes to food, her heart (and palate) belongs to Italy. She loves Italian cuisine (especially pasta) and has visited Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Sicily, Siena, Verona, and San Gimignano. She also wouldn’t say no to relocating to either Italy or Malta, where she’s already been three times.
Within the next couple of years, Ecem hopes to pursue a master’s degree in data science while continuing her journey with Cleverbit. We’re proud to have her on our team and can’t wait to see where her talents and drive will take her next.
More than 3 years.
Software Developer in Test.
While developers are building new features, SDETs make sure those features work the way they are supposed to. We ensure the product meets the quality standards by executing manual tests and writing automated tests.
One of my earliest is when my dad showed me and my brother how to draw using Microsoft Paint. We were very young, and I remember us trying to create pictures together on the computer.
No, not always. During university, I did seven different internships, and none of them were related to software! It wasn’t something I had in mind at the time. But after I graduated, I started to develop an interest in this field.
I start my day by making a cup of coffee and getting some fresh air. It helps me clear my mind and ease into the day. After that, I begin working from home in a calm and focused way.
To be honest, I don’t have any specific superstitions when it comes to technology.
I do not have a professional hero, sorry.
I was working at the headquarters of a Chinese technology company in Istanbul when I saw a LinkedIn post by someone who was already working at Cleverbit. The moment I read the job description, I felt it was a perfect fit for my skills and experience. So I applied — and here we are! 😊
I’ve been working on the same project since I joined Cleverbit Software. I initially started as a QA Engineer, and after 1.5 years I transitioned into an SDET role.
I currently work remotely from Istanbul, Turkey. However, each year the entire team gathers in person for company symposiums. Last year, for example, we had the opportunity to meet in Sicily. These events are a great way to strengthen our connections across countries so, despite working remotely, I’ve always felt a strong sense of belonging within the team.
I also think Maltese culture has many similarities with Turkish culture, which makes it even easier to feel at home. Everyone at the company is incredibly warm and supportive, and I truly feel lucky to be part of such a positive and collaborative work environment.
I’m currently attending a weekly ceramics course, and I really enjoy working with clay — so I’d probably like to be a ceramic artist!
Headquartered in Europe, Cleverbit Software is a prominent custom software development company, employing over 70 skilled professionals across the EU, UK and US. Specialising in custom software for business efficiency, we work with a diverse international clientele in various industries including banking and insurance, SaaS, and healthcare. Our commitment to solving problems and delivering solutions that work makes us a trusted partner with our clients.
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