Meet Emanuele Simonelli, our Tech team’s Head of Engine, who is based in Pisa, Italy. In this edition of our Life at Onetag series, Emanuele shares how flexibility and work-life balance have shape his day-to-day experience. From the way he structures his day to how he recharges, here’s what he had to share!
Getting to Know You
1. Can you tell us a bit about your role and what brought you to Onetag?
I’m the Engine Team Lead at Onetag. In this role, I’m responsible for managing the Engine team, which develops and maintains the software components that respond to real-time auctions. Our work is highly technical, and we play a key role in translating business requirements from other teams into concrete solutions. I joined Onetag to be part of a fast-paced, tech-driven environment, where I’m able to contribute to building high-performance systems and shaping the technology that powers our business.
2. What were you doing before you joined our team?
Before joining Onetag, I was working in the financial sector, mainly with banks and insurance companies. My focus was on software development and translating business requirements into technical specifications. Moving from finance to ad tech was an exciting shift for me: while both share technical challenges like low latency and big data processing, Onetag offered the chance to apply my skills in a completely new industry and explore innovative technologies in programmatic advertising.
3. What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical workday for me is shaped both by my personal routines and by the rituals of the Scrum methodology. My mornings always start with a good coffee, followed by deciding whether I’ll work from the office or from home. Since I live not far from Onetag’s headquarters, I often choose to go in, even on remote-working days — I really value the energy of the office and the chance to connect with colleagues, as long as it doesn’t disrupt my personal commitments like the gym, family, or social plans.
Once I’ve settled in (usually with another coffee), the day kicks off with our daily standup, which helps us check if everything is on track and highlight any issues that need attention. After that, I usually make myself available for the team, just in case any discussions need to continue or problems need to be explored more deeply. Then the team focuses on development, while I balance my time between checking progress, looking ahead to upcoming tasks, and contributing to coding myself.
As a team lead, I’m also frequently involved in meetings with other teams. I enjoy this aspect a lot, as it gives me the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse mix of people and perspectives from across the company.
Flexibility & Balance at Onetag
4. How has Onetag supported your work-life balance?
Onetag has supported my work-life balance in several ways. The hybrid setup, with three days of remote work per week, provides a lot of flexibility. But what I value most is the understanding and support from my colleagues. As a father of two young daughters, unexpected family needs and emergencies come up quite often. At Onetag, it’s easy to manage these situations thanks to a culture of trust and empathy — even though many of my teammates are younger and don’t have children themselves.
5. What kind of flexibility do you have in your role?
My role offers a lot of flexibility, both in terms of location and scheduling. For example, a while ago I had an unexpected situation with my daughters, so I joined the standup meeting from my phone. Even so, the meeting was just as effective and productive as usual. This flexibility allows me to balance personal responsibilities with work while staying fully engaged with the team.
6. How do you typically structure your day to balance productivity and wellbeing?
I usually try to start my day “early” — well, early compared to some colleagues who prefer a later schedule! This helps me carve out time for focused work, supporting my team, and still taking a proper break for lunch or even a short workout. I also try not to push my day too late, so I can finish remaining tasks, handle practical things like grocery shopping, and most importantly, spend quality time with my family. Balancing productivity and wellbeing is really about structuring the day to include both work and personal priorities.
7. Are there any company practices or cultural norms that really help with flexibility?
I think a lot of the flexibility at Onetag comes from the people and the company culture. We have a fairly flat hierarchy, which makes it easy to communicate openly — whether it’s with the CEO or someone who just joined. Clear communication among colleagues helps everyone understand one another’s situations, including unexpected absences or personal needs. This openness and understanding are a big part of what makes flexibility in the company so effective.
8. How does this flexibility positively impact your life outside of work?
I think this question might be better answered by my wife and daughters! Jokes aside, having this kind of flexibility definitely helps me feel more relaxed, both at work and at home. Being able to manage unexpected situations or personal needs reduces stress, and the sometimes playful atmosphere at Onetag helps lighten the usual work tension. All of this has a positive ripple effect outside of my immediate family — friends and extended family notice it too.
Onetag Life & Culture
9. How would you describe the culture at Onetag in one sentence?
One thing that struck me when I joined Onetag, and has remained true despite the company’s incredible growth, is the amazing combination of expertise and lightheartedness among the people — I think this is one of the key culture points at Onetag.
10. What makes Onetag different from other companies you’ve worked at?
I’ve always enjoyed the places I’ve worked and met wonderful people along the way — some colleagues I even ended up working with again here at Onetag. What makes Onetag different, though, is the mix of people, roles, and work environment that makes it genuinely easier to reach the end of the day with a smile. 😄
Final Thoughts
11. What advice would you give to someone looking for flexibility in their next role?
If someone is looking for flexibility in their next role, I’d say Onetag is a great place for those seeking a stimulating, youthful environment that still pays attention to everyone’s needs. I’ve never thought personality was such an important factor when hiring a software developer, but working at Onetag has completely changed my perspective.
12. And finally, what’s one word you’d use to describe the work-life balance at Onetag?
I’d say “harmonious” — though if I were being completely honest, “flexible” would be the obvious answer, and that just feels a bit too boring! 😄 It really captures how well work and personal life flow together at Onetag.
Want to join the team?
If you’re looking for a company that values outcomes over hours, trusts its people, and encourages balance every day — Onetag might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Interested in joining our growing team? Send your CV to hr@onetag.com — we’d love to hear from you.
