“If You Have a Good Idea, People Will Listen”: Akshay Joshi’s 15 Years at EDB

Akshay Joshi joined EDB in 2010 and is now a Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager. Fifteen years in, we asked him what’s kept him here, how his role has evolved, and what might surprise others about life at EDB. His answers say a lot about what building a career here actually looks like. 

Fifteen years, one constant: people who genuinely want to help each other succeed

The People

Q: What's kept you at EDB for 15 years?

A: Honestly, it’s a mix of the people and the fact that there’s always something new to learn. The database world—especially around Postgres—moves so fast. But more than the tech, it’s just a great group of smart, down-to-earth people who genuinely want to help each other succeed.

Freedom to Try New Things

Q: When you look at your own journey here, how has EDB’s “Grow and Evolve” mindset shown up for you?

A: My time here hasn’t just been about climbing a ladder; it’s been about having the room to try new things. EDB has always given me the trust and freedom to steer my own career. Whenever I wanted to take on a new challenge; shift focus; or figure out a tough, messy project, the support was always there. I've never felt boxed into a rigid job description.

Different Time Zones, Better Ideas

Q: We’re a global, remote-first team. How has global collaboration made a difference?

A: Being remote-first means you work with people all over the world, which really changes how you solve problems. I love that I can leave a question on Slack at the end of my day, and by the time I wake up, teammates in Europe or Asia have chimed in, looked at it from a totally different angle, and moved it forward. We build much better things because we aren’t all thinking the exact same way.

Trust over Hours

Q: What does work-life balance actually look like day to day?

A: It means EDB focuses on what I get done, not the exact hours I’m sitting at my desk. There’s no micromanagement. If I need to step away for personal things or structure my day around when I actually focus best, I can. That level of trust makes it incredibly easy to manage life outside of work without feeling guilty.

Open Source Energy

Q: What’s one thing about EDB that would surprise people on the outside?

A: From the outside, we look like a massive enterprise tech company—which we are. But on the inside, we still have that open source, friendly energy we started with. It doesn’t matter what your title is; if you have a good idea and are willing to work on it, people will listen and let you run with it.

Fifteen years, and Akshay says the same thing that drew him in still holds: Good ideas win, no matter your title.

Inspired by Akshay's journey? Explore open roles at enterprisedb.com/careers.