After three years planting roots in Porto, Zühlke is officially an office (not just a tech hub) with a new CEO, Mariana Figueiredo Salvaterra, at the helm. It’s a clear thumbs-up from the Swiss HQ, reflecting trust in the Portuguese team’s steady performance, not just potential. They’re ditching the old “Global Engineering Center” label and rolling into the EMEA club—meaning Portugal’s no longer the odd one out but part of a bigger regional strategy.
Growth and Goals:
- Team expansion from 80+ to 130 this year.
- Aiming for 45% growth in dedicated teams—those all-in squads handling projects from start to finish.
- Over 20 tech positions open: software, platform, frontend/backend engineers with skills in .NET, Node.js, Typescript, React, and soon embedded/QA engineers.
- Hybrid work model with nationwide hiring—so talent isn’t just limited to Porto’s cobblestones.
Perks and Culture:
- Planning to pump 35% more into non-salary benefits to keep the talent happy and loyal.
- Four-day work week remains, with flexibility as the cornerstone—because forcing everyone to come in or work remote full-time is so 2020.
- High employee retention proves their approach works, plus global mobility options to spice up careers with international stints.
Diversity & Inclusion:
- Fair pay regardless of gender, no tolerance for bias.
- Actively encouraging women into leadership and tech roles traditionally dominated by men.
- Gender-neutral job ads and inclusion efforts are not just lip service but actual practices.
Office & Future Plans:
- New Porto HQ in the Tranquilidade Building, with a €4 million investment.
- No immediate plans for a second Portuguese office, but they’re not closing doors either.
- Focus firmly on sustainable growth, quality delivery, and people-centric culture.
Zühlke Portugal is flexing serious muscles—not just growing headcount but evolving into a key strategic node with solid backing from Switzerland. They’re playing the long game, balancing ambitious expansion with employee well-being and top-tier tech projects, all while avoiding the classic trap of overhyped, unsustainable growth spurts.
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