Tom Välja
About Tom Välja
Tom Välja is a Senior Software Engineer currently working at Glia, where he focuses on building high-performing teams and enhancing user experience. He has a diverse background in software engineering and business development, with previous roles at Fortumo and Hepta Airborne.
Work at Glia
Tom Välja currently serves as a Senior Software Engineer at Glia, a position he has held since 2024. He is based in Tartu, Tartumaa, Estonia. In his role, he is part of the Browser Platform team, where he applies his expertise in user experience, developer experience, and infrastructure. His focus is on building high-performing teams and creating systems that enhance productivity through automation.
Previous Experience at Fortumo
Prior to his current role, Tom Välja worked at Fortumo from 2013 to 2019. He started as a Software Engineer and progressed to Engineering Team Lead, a position he held for three years. During his time at Fortumo, he contributed to various projects that aimed to improve software performance and team dynamics.
Experience at Hepta Airborne
Tom Välja held multiple roles at Hepta Airborne from 2019 to 2024. He served as VP of Software Engineering for one year, followed by a tenure as VP of Sales for ten months. He then transitioned to Chief Business Development Officer for one year and concluded his time there as Head of Drone Operations for two years. His work involved integrating software solutions in the drone industry and enhancing operational efficiency.
Education and Expertise
Tom Välja has a diverse educational background. He studied at the Estonian Aviation Academy, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Helicopter Piloting from 2009 to 2014. He also attended the University of Tartu, completing an Engineering Base Course and achieving a Bachelor's degree from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, he studied at Estonian, focusing on Inland Waters Navigation, where he obtained a Vocational Degree from 2018 to 2020.
Beliefs and Interests
Tom Välja is passionate about interdisciplinary innovation, particularly in the fields of aviation and software, energy and machine learning, and drones and infrastructure inspection. He believes in creating systems that enhance productivity by automating tasks, allowing individuals to focus on more fulfilling work.