David: A Day in the Life of a Software Engineer

by Gap Inc.

Gap Inc.

September 15, 2022

At Gap Inc., our Hub + Home model empowers teams to make decisions that prioritize productivity, creativity, and well-being. For most of our technology team, this means the flexibility to work where you contribute your best work. As a Software Engineer, David Munoz is part of a remote team where camaraderie goes way beyond physical walls or decorated Zoom backdrops.

In his role, David leads and develops a variety of projects that use high-performing technology to change the way people shop online across our brands. And despite not coming into an office every day, this important work has provided plenty of opportunities to turn his teammates into his friends. Join David on his workday:

8:05 AM After pouring a warm cup of black coffee, I sit down at my desk and turn on my favorite Smooth Jazz playlist. Nothing gets the creative juices of my mind flowing quite like the sounds of a saxophone, guitar, trumpet, or piano.

8:45 AM – One of the most productive times of my day is just before everyone logs in to work. This is when the caffeine has kicked in and I’m focused entirely on the code on my screen. I’m working with JavaScript and I focus mainly on the User Interface of the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta websites. I’ve been working with other developers to add an awesome new feature to the website, which will allow customers to see where their order is in real-time. At this hour of the day, I’ve hit my “flow” state of mind. I’m typing away at my keyboard like Stevie Wonder and nothing can separate me from my workstation.

10:00 AM Talking with my coworkers in our daily “stand-up” meeting is one of the highlights of my day since I work remotely. It is one of the best times to interact with my peers through voice chat. It’s moments like these that remind me that I’m a part of something bigger – a team of engineers working to improve the ecommerce experience.

In our daily stand-up meeting, each team member discusses their status and any issues that they are facing. As a team, we are looking to complete every story given to us by our Product Manager for the current sprint. This daily meeting is critical to our team’s overall performance since it allows us to share our progress and reach out to others for help.

1:50 PM Before ending my lunch break and heading back to work, I spend some time in my backyard to get a breath of fresh air. Depending on the time of year, the Arizona sun can either be quite soothing or very harsh. Nevertheless, I spend a few minutes enjoying its warmth while I water my garden plants.

3:45 PM Before logging off for the day, I like to reach out to some of the friends that I’ve made while working at Gap. In a remote work environment, social interaction is essential to prevent feelings of anxiety or loneliness, and I find it so beneficial to spend some time sharing laughs with coworkers at the end of the day.

5:15 PM As a software engineer, I’m constantly thinking about different ways that I can solve a particular problem. This often requires that I keep several different variables, data structures, or pieces of code in my memory so that I can create a plan to complete my work. I also must read a lot of code documentation and articles to learn how to use specific technologies in my projects. While my job may be very mentally challenging, it does not require any physical activity. As a result, I like to keep a balance between my mind-body connection and go to the gym. Here, I can take my mind off work, give my body a much-needed challenge and relieve some stress!

'Fit Check with David

At Gap Inc., I collaborate with many people from different backgrounds and cultures. I am inspired by the unique ideas that are brought to the table because of it.

What makes you proud to work with us?

I love working at Gap Inc. because I feel that my ideas are valued, and my perspective is welcomed. Within my team, I’m also proud to contribute my humorous and cheerful nature. I love hearing my coworkers laugh when I tell jokes. If my peers come to me feeling discouraged, I make it a priority to help lift their spirits. A happy team is a productive team, and it’s my job to make sure that my coworkers’ morale is high. 

Your style?

My personal style is simple. For everyday activities, I usually wear solid-colored T-shirts paired with jeans or shorts. For more formal events, I like to wear patterned button-down shirts with chino pants. I love to wear Old Navy’s Soft-Washed Crew-Neck t-shirts with Old Navy’s bomber jacket to express my style. 

Did David's work day inspire you? Learn more about our technology and digital teams and join us!

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