Behind the Screens: Kimmo Saarinen

Team Digitalist

Kimmo Saarinen

17.9.2025

Great code needs people who build structure where others see chaos. Kimmo is one of those. A true Full Stack Developer with 20+ years of experience, he thrives on clean code, evolving products, and the kind of detail that makes digital services run smoothly. He's also the rare kind of unicorn expert who actually LIKES to write unit tests and documentation!

SKILLS & ROLE:

Role: Full Stack Developer
Core skills: React, TypeScript, NodeJS, Laravel, AWS, UNIX, Docker, unit/UI testing
Tools: Macbook, VS Code, GitHub Copilot, CodeRabbit, OrbStack, Slack, Chrome, Notion, Oh My Zsh, Spotify

What’s your education?

Bachelor of Business Administration (IT), I graduated from Helsinki Business Polytechnic (Helia) in 2001.

What kind of work tasks are your favorites?

I cannot put my finger on a specific favourite as I love things from a wide range. Sometimes the boring repetitive “intelligent monkey” tasks that require pedantic and systematic concentration, and sometimes visionary architectural design.

I’m also one of the individuals who genuinely like to write unit tests and documentation! One time I had the inspiration to write a book about coding (regarding Spring framework probably) but never really had the time for it.

What do you love most about your job?

Designing and developing clean code and structures around it, from scratch. Then on the other hand, long-term product development is also much fun, as you can really focus on the subject and see the product and codebase evolving. Luckily at Digitalist, you can choose the best of both worlds.

What inspired you to join the team here?

Ha ha, as I joined the company like 20+ years ago (old fart, I know), one might argue that the team joined me instead. I guess I’m quite a loyal person, not looking for greener grass anywhere, and all the exceptional colleagues (read: friends) have made me really stay all these years.

What tips or advice would you give someone starting a new job?

Ask questions from the team mates, don’t dwell on problems on your own. Code reviews and/or pair programming is a must for newbies to get valuable insights. Also, read the book “Clean Code” by Robert Martin.

Read the book “Clean Code” by Robert Martin

What would your perfect weekend look like?

Some sunshine, lying out on the hammock without a care. I do love the peace and quiet.

What’s something surprising that not many people know about you?

I was born two months early weighing only 990 grams and being 36 cm tall. So, about the size of a milk carton.

What are you passionate about?

Football, premier league, especially Liverpool FC. The rare occasions you can find me shouting, is when the referee is an a**hole.

What is the best thing that has happened to you this year?

Our daughter is the best thing every year! She started 1st grade in school and is amazing in every way.

How would your best friend describe you in three words?

I’m quite an introverted person, so probably along the lines of: silent, helpful and kind.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?

Definitely teleportation, as then no place in the world would be out of access, and long distance travel would take no time or effort.

A really strange one would be like the Arm-Fall-Off-Boy (DC comics) who can detach his limbs and use them as weapons.

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Kimmo is the kind of solid, kind, and talented team mate who makes it easy for others to breathe and trust that everything works as it should -and if not then he will fix it.