Revolut Career Journeys: 5 minutes with Head of Engineering, Boon Pek

In our Career Journeys series, we spotlight the leaders shaping the next generation of Revoluters. In this edition, Boon Pek, Head of Engineering at Revolut, shares the mindset behind high performance, from thinking long-term to moving fast and surrounding yourself with exceptional people.

Tell us about your role at Revolut.

The Head of Engineering role at Revolut is equivalent to being a CTO of a small startup. I apply my deep expertise in technical systems to solve complex business problems. I lead teams of talented engineers to convert ideas into reality, to learn fast and ship fast to build products that scale and serve tens of millions of customers.

I love being in Engineering as that's where the magic happens, and engineering is a function which is both extremely structured and intellectually stimulating, whilst also requiring a lot of creativity.

How does the career you imagined as a university graduate align with where you are today?

It's still the same track I imagined, but significantly compressed and moving much faster than I thought was possible. With the right ambition, mindset, and environment, the sky is the limit.

When planning out my career, I benchmarked against the industry average. But early on, I realised I shouldn't compare myself to averages.

What would you tell your younger self starting out?

There are two quotes that I hold very dear to my heart:

"Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years."

Set extremely ambitious goals and targets and use these as your north star. Understand that journeys are rarely linear, and that sometimes we slip a few steps back before leaping forward. Your north star helps keep you focused on the goal. Don't be so rigid as to burn out over minor setbacks — it is through consistent improvement that compounding effects happen.

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."

Preparation is often underestimated. It means committing yourself to learning, honing your craft, and showing up for yourself. If you are not actively preparing, you won't be able to grasp the opportunity when it comes. At the same time, you need to shape your environment so that opportunities can find you. Take risks, put yourself in the right rooms, and create the conditions where those opportunities are more likely to happen.

Why is Revolut such an exciting place to launch your career?

You get to work with equally ambitious and talented people. The business continues to grow. Expansion in terms of geographies, and product portfolios, is part of our DNA.

It’s also extremely meritocratic. People focus on your impact and the value you deliver, rather than how long you've been at the company.

What do you most enjoy about working with early-career talent?

I most enjoy the ambition and hunger of early-career talent. After spending time in an industry and experiencing setbacks, it’s natural to become more defensive and sometimes more conservative.

Early-career talent often approach problems with a more inquisitive mindset, focusing on how something can be done rather than why it can’t.

What makes our Talent Programmes such powerful career launchpads?

Revolut’s Talent Programmes combine a strong community with high-quality leadership and mentorship, creating an environment where emerging talent can learn fast, take ownership, and accelerate their growth.

Do you have any advice for students and grads who are job searching?

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

It's people all the way to the top.

Whether you're an Engineer, Designer, or Operations Manager, you don't just need to be good at your craft. You need to know how to get along with colleagues across different functions and seniorities, as it is within these synergies that innovation emerges.

If you’re serious about building your career, learning fast, and putting yourself in the right position for opportunity, explore our Talent Programmes.