A decade in the same company is a milestone few reach in today’s fast-moving tech world. But when the journey is filled with challenging projects, supportive colleagues, and opportunities to grow, ten years can pass in the blink of an eye.
This is the story of Želimir Končar, who joined as a C++ developer, embraced change, evolved into a DevOps specialist, and found not just a career path, but a professional home. From a first working day that started in Switzerland to witnessing the company grow from 20 to over 200 people, his decade-long experience is a testament to what’s possible when skill meets dedication and culture meets opportunity.
What motivated you to join Serengeti?
I joined Serengeti based on a strong recommendation from someone I had previously worked with. They spoke highly of the company culture, the quality of the projects, and the people. Before that, I hadn’t even heard of Serengeti, but I decided to take the leap and now, ten years later, I’m still here. That initial recommendation turned out to be a life-changing one.
What was your start at Serengeti like?
My journey with Serengeti began with a bit of a twist. After a conversation with management about potential projects, I was introduced to a C++ project for a Swiss company. It sounded exciting, and I agreed to join. What I didn’t expect was that my very first working day would actually take place in Switzerland. I spent three months on-site before we transitioned to working remotely from Zagreb. It was definitely a more intense start than I had imagined, but looking back, it was also a very enriching experience, both professionally and personally.
Which moment or project stands out the most for you?
Over the past decade, I’ve worked on only two projects, Swissphone and Mercury, and both have left a lasting impression on me. There were countless memorable moments along the way: team gatherings, celebrations, birthdays, holiday events, weddings, baby announcements, casual team lunches, even ping pong tournaments. It’s hard to single out just one, because so many experiences have contributed to making these ten years truly special.
What kept you at Serengeti for 10 years?
Primarily, the quality and continuity of the projects I’ve worked on. Being involved in the Mercury project for so many years, I’ve witnessed and been part of numerous transformations, company mergers, reorganizations, the COVID-19 pandemic, office relocations. I’ve seen the product evolve and mature, and I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to that journey alongside many other professionals. There’s a sense of ownership and connection that comes from being part of something for so long. At this point, it would be emotionally difficult to walk away from it. Who knows, maybe ten years from now I’ll be writing about being on the same two projects for twenty years. 🙂
How has your career evolved within Serengeti?
Before Serengeti, I worked with C++, C#, Delphi, and MSSQL. I joined as a C++ developer, and early on I was exposed to high standards of software development, new methodologies, and a more structured way of thinking. It was my first real encounter with agile workflows, unfamiliar programming languages, and strategic project planning. All of that broadened my technical and professional skill set significantly.
Later, with the Mercury project, my career took a turn toward DevOps and automation. Instead of focusing on a single long-term product, I entered a space where every task felt like a separate challenge, each involving different tools, technologies, and integrations. Over the years, I’ve become deeply involved in Azure DevOps Server, working to make life easier for developers and testers through automation and system integration. Ten years ago, DevOps was a relatively new concept, especially in Croatia, but today it’s a vital part of any serious tech organization. I'm proud to have grown with that shift.
How has Serengeti changed since you joined?
A lot has changed. Serengeti has grown from a company of around 20 people to a much larger organization with over 200 employees and offices across Croatia and abroad. We’ve even been listed among the fastest-growing companies more than once. And that growth is reflected not just in numbers, but in capabilities. Today Serengeti has the capacity and knowledge to compete for and win high-level projects.
But what’s more important is what hasn’t changed. The company still puts people first. Employees are encouraged to grow, improve, and expand their knowledge. The culture is supportive, the atmosphere is friendly, and there’s a strong sense of community. Even as the company scaled, the family-like feel remained.
Do you have any advice for new colleagues?
Nothing too groundbreaking, but it’s always worth repeating: give your best in everything you do. If you’re committed and strive for excellence, opportunities will come. Stay curious, keep learning, and adapt. Technology evolves rapidly, and keeping up is essential.
Serengeti offers the chance to work on a wide variety of projects across different industries and domains. Take advantage of that. Every project is an opportunity to gain new perspectives, tools, and experiences. The more you embrace the challenges, the more prepared you’ll be for whatever comes next.
