Kyoto AS – demanding IT recruitment of a senior software generalist for a Norwegian energy company

Ani Gasparyan

Client overview

Kyoto AS is a Norwegian energy company with over 50 employees, dedicated to promoting sustainability through advanced thermal energy storage solutions. Their flagship product, the Heatcube, allows industrial clients to decarbonize heat production by efficiently storing and utilizing renewable energy. Listed on Euronext Growth Oslo, Kyoto Group AS is experiencing rapid growth. Their LinkedIn community has also expanded significantly, now exceeding 9000 followers.

Introduction

To address this, Kyoto AS partnered with DevsData LLC to recruit 2 high-impact team members: a Senior Software Generalist with experience spanning embedded systems, cloud infrastructure, and industrial software, and a Senior Graphic Designer capable of elevating both internal UX and public-facing branding.

Project summary

Kyoto AS engaged DevsData LLC to fill 2 business-critical roles in just one month:

1. Senior Software Generalist:

This role required a skilled software engineer with strong knowledge of Go, C++, Python, and JavaScript. The engineer would be responsible for building, optimizing, and scaling Kyoto AS’s core software, which powers their energy systems and interfaces with physical hardware. Experience with industrial-grade systems and real-time data flows was also necessary.

2. Senior Graphic Designer

A versatile designer who could bridge both UX/UI and marketing. On one hand, the company needed intuitive interfaces for internal apps used by engineers and field technicians. On the other hand, they wanted visually compelling landing pages and branded materials to attract investors and customers. This role demanded both creativity and practicality.

We needed professionals with specific skills. One focused on developing software connected to physical energy systems. The other worked on improving both internal tools and external design.

The goal was to bring in people who could contribute from day one and continue adding value as the company evolved.

Challenge

Recruiting for Kyoto AS involved managing two separate and unrelated searches at once. One focused on a senior software engineer with experience in systems tied to physical hardware, while the other centered on a graphic designer with strengths in both digital interfaces and branding. Because the roles had no overlap in skill set, sourcing strategy, or evaluation methods, each required a fully customized approach to attract and assess the right candidates.

1. Highly specialized technical profile

Kyoto AS was looking for a senior generalist with more than 15 years of experience due to the complexity of their system, which connects physical energy infrastructure with a cloud-based monitoring and control platform. The ideal candidate needed hands-on expertise in backend and systems-level languages, especially Go, which is used to build the communication layer between on-site energy devices and the central software platform that processes, visualizes, and manages system performance. Just as important was prior experience in industries such as energy, IoT, or industrial software, where high reliability and real-time performance are crucial.

2. A rare combination of design skills

The designer position required someone who could comfortably move between technical UX design and high-level branding. Finding designers who excel in both areas, such as internal product usability and external visual storytelling, is a rare find. It was also crucial that the person understood how to design for both functional needs (e.g., mobile apps for engineers) and aesthetic appeal (e.g., sleek landing pages for investors).

3. Cultural and mission alignment

Kyoto AS works in a rapidly changing environment where team members are expected to take initiative and stay aligned with the company’s core goals. Candidates must demonstrate a genuine interest in clean energy technology and a commitment to sustainability. A technical match wasn’t enough; the company was looking for individuals who shared their passion and could collaborate effectively in a dynamic, fast-growing culture.

4. Tight labor market

Norway’s tech landscape is highly competitive, especially for senior IT roles. Attracting top-tier candidates, particularly ones open to working for a niche energy company, was a challenge, especially when many of them already had offers from larger global tech firms or well-funded startups.

DevsData LLC’s approach

To meet these demands, DevsData LLC implemented a targeted yet adaptable recruitment strategy, designed specifically to address Kyoto AS’s needs for rare technical profiles, cultural alignment, and rapid delivery within a highly competitive market.

1. In-depth discovery and job profiling

We began by conducting detailed interviews with Kyoto AS stakeholders, including technical leads, product owners, and leadership team members, to get clarity on both the technical and cultural requirements for each role. For the Senior Software Generalist, we refined the profile to emphasize experience in building scalable systems, low-level memory management (relevant for C++ work), and data processing in Python. For the designer, we clarified the balance between UX for internal tools and polished, high-conversion web design.

We also discussed the specific scope of work that the new hires would undertake, including developing backend components for device-to-platform communication, improving operational interfaces, and refreshing public-facing assets. In addition, we gathered insights about the company’s working style, decision-making processes, and team dynamics to identify the type of personality and mindset that would thrive at Kyoto AS.

2. Global talent sourcing

Instead of relying on local talent alone, DevsData LLC’s team tapped into its global database of over 65000 vetted IT professionals. We prioritized candidates who had worked in industries such as energy, manufacturing, IoT, and green technology fields, where software plays a critical role in driving tangible, real-world outcomes. For the designer, we searched for individuals who had previously worked on both SaaS platforms and public-facing brand campaigns.

We employed a combination of sourcing methods, including direct outreach, passive candidate engagement, internal referrals, and AI-based talent-matching tools.

3. Thorough screening process

Drawing on our experience from similar projects, we applied a multi-step screening process for both roles to minimize risk and identify the most qualified individuals. As a result, a total of 8 highly skilled candidates were shortlisted across both roles. The process included:

Technical assessments

Software engineers were given custom coding assignments that simulated real-life challenges, such as optimizing energy system logic or writing fault-tolerant modules in the Go programming language.

Portfolio review and critique

Designers submitted real project samples, which we reviewed against Kyoto AS’s design principles, usability expectations, and visual branding goals.

Behavioral and culture-fit interviews

We evaluated communication skills, working style, and each candidate’s connection to Kyoto AS’s focus on clean energy and sustainable industry. The company was looking for individuals prepared to grow with the team and contribute to its long-term goals.

4. Candidate presentation and collaboration

Each shortlisted candidate came with a detailed profile, including a summary of technical strengths, project history, cultural observations, and a commentary on how they would support Kyoto AS’s specific initiatives. This helped the hiring managers make fast and informed decisions.

DevsData LLC also served as a liaison between the two sides during interviews, helping to schedule calls, gather feedback, and resolve questions promptly, thereby keeping the process efficient.

5. Post-hire follow-up

Even after the hires were finalized, DevsData LLC’s team continued to check in with Kyoto AS and the candidates. We provided onboarding tips, helped resolve initial questions, and remained available to support team integration.

Results

The recruitment process led to 2 standout placements who made an immediate impact:

Senior Software Generalist

DevsData LLC successfully placed a highly skilled professional with relevant experience across a broad range of programming languages and systems. The candidate brought deep expertise in React, Go, C#, C++, Python, Qt, and database technologies such as MSSQL and PostgreSQL. This rare combination matched Kyoto AS’s need for cross-functional development across embedded systems, internal tools, and cloud services.

What further distinguished this hire:

• A Master’s degree in Mechatronics, earned with honors from Warsaw University of Technology, one of Poland’s top technical universities.
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, demonstrating a solid foundation in cloud infrastructure and modern DevOps practices.
• Prior experience integrating real-time systems with physical hardware—ideal for Kyoto AS’s thermal storage technology.

Within just a few months, this hire contributed to key architectural enhancements, helped optimize software and hardware communication layers, and played a crucial role in accelerating Kyoto AS’s product development roadmap.

Senior Graphic Designer

Kyoto AS brought on a senior designer with strong expertise in both UX/UI and branding, precisely the kind of support the company needed to elevate its internal tools and external communications. This professional overhauled the internal engineering interfaces to enhance usability across both desktop and mobile platforms. At the same time, this hire revamped the public website and investor materials, helping present a more unified and polished brand identity.

What further distinguished this role:

• A strong portfolio spanning energy, industrial, and tech sectors, demonstrating a deep understanding of design in complex technical environments.
• Proven track record designing user interfaces that enhance workflows for field and engineering teams.
• Experience leading brand identity projects from concept to execution, including websites, investor decks, and marketing collateral.
• Within just a few months, the designer’s work supported smoother day-to-day operations for Kyoto’s teams and helped elevate the company’s public-facing presence, strengthening both internal efficiency and external engagement.

Both hires exceeded expectations and aligned strongly with Kyoto AS’s innovation culture and sustainability mission.

Business impact

Need top-tier tech talent to accelerate your clean energy innovation or industrial tech product?

DevsData LLC helped Kyoto AS recruit high-impact software and design professionals to strengthen their flagship Heatcube platform.

Get in touch at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com to start building your high-performing team today.

Any questions or comments? Let me know on Twitter/X.

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Ani Gasparyan Senior copywriter and marketer

Ani is a marketing enthusiast and content writer. With 6+ years of expertise in marketing, she succeeded in developing engaging marketing collaterals, including blog articles, social media content, and other promotional materials. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she thrives in crafting compelling content that resonates with the target audience.

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