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From Mechatronics to the Edge: Jia Yuan's Story at Dell Technologies

Jia Yuan Chia | Software Principal Engineer | Singapore

Originally Published: October 1, 2025

My journey at Dell Technologies began in May 2021, when I joined the Edge Portfolio and Solutions team in Singapore as a Software Engineer. With a background in Mechatronics Engineering, I discovered my passion for coding and software development during my academic years. Before Dell, I built my career as a software engineer in the semiconductor industry and later moved into embedded software engineering in the oil and gas sector. What ultimately drew me to Dell was the opportunity to contribute to the Edge team, where I could apply my skills across a broad spectrum of technologies—from web development and server applications to operating systems and firmware. 

Driving Innovation at the Edge 

  

As a software engineer on the Edge team, I’ve found my role to be both exciting and challenging. Working on a relatively new product has given me the unique opportunity to shape its definition, transformation, and future roadmap. Along the way, I’ve tackled complex, first-of-their-kind problems that demand innovative solutions. This experience has not only sharpened my technical skills in software development but also deepened my expertise in software design and systems architecture.

 

The global nature of the Edge team has been another highlight of my journey. Collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and locations has allowed us to combine our strengths and drive meaningful progress. This cross-functional teamwork has fostered a culture of creativity and problem-solving, where everyone’s contributions are valued and amplified to achieve shared goals. 

 

On a day-to-day basis, my role is dynamic and varied—no two days are ever the same. While coding and implementing software remain my core responsibilities, I also explore new ideas, support customers, design and architect new features, build validation and test cases, and optimize pipelines and workflows. This diversity keeps me engaged, challenged, and constantly learning—and I can honestly say there’s never a dull moment. 

A Culture That Empowers Everyone 

  

Before joining Dell, I assumed that innovation was the exclusive domain of top talent with exceptional capabilities. My experience at Dell, however, has shown me that innovation can be driven by anyone at any level, regardless of background or experience. In fact, innovation is not only valued but also actively encouraged across the team. What matters is the merit of the idea, not the person who proposes it, and this has created a culture where everyone’s contributions are recognized and appreciated. This focus on innovation has encouraged me to think more creatively and push beyond boundaries when solving problems and developing solutions. On top of that, Dell’s supportive framework makes it easy for anyone to submit patent applications, which inspires us to bring forward inventive and original ideas. 

 

Advice for Aspiring Members of the Dell Edge Team 

  

A strong engineering foundation certainly matters, but what truly sets someone apart is the ability to think critically, work independently, take initiative, and be willing to take responsibility for driving progress despite challenges and obstacles. Just as important is the ability to collaborate effectively, since no one succeeds alone. And above all, having a genuine passion for technology makes a real difference. 

   

To learn more about life at Dell, visit Our Stories.

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