International Women’s Day 2025: Balancing work and parenting at an autonomous driving startup
To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re celebrating female team members who are helping to shape the future of autonomous driving. At TIER IV, people from diverse backgrounds contribute to advancing this technology, each bringing valuable expertise to the table.
Throughout March, we’ll be sharing stories of women across the company, highlighting their experiences and the unique perspectives they bring to our vision of making autonomous driving accessible to all. In the first installment, we hear from Miho, a systems engineer who credits the flexible work culture at TIER IV for helping her balance a dynamic career with parenting.
I currently work on two teams: The product team, supporting the development, deployment, implementation and operation of Web.Auto, a DevOps platform for autonomous driving systems, and the DevOps Planning team, which focuses on building and improving development and operation processes.
I’ve been at TIER IV for five years now, and over the course of my career, which has included roles as a systems engineer and field application engineer, I’ve changed companies twice. At TIER IV, I’m able to apply my past experience while also challenging myself in new areas.
The company and the nature of our work are continuously evolving, and with the team growing daily, there’s a sense of freshness that keeps things exciting. I really appreciate the relaxed atmosphere as well. Whenever I reach out to discuss things I’d like to try or challenges I’m facing, team members always respond quickly, making it easier for me to get things done.
I mainly work remotely, with occasional trips to the office when necessary. Telecommuting has been a big help in balancing work and childcare. While I’ve never really minded working overtime, I now manage my schedule to ensure it doesn’t get out of hand, maintaining a good work-life balance.
Outside of work, I’m fully immersed in the joys of parenting. I enjoy planning weekend activities, whether it’s discovering new playgrounds, having picnics at our favorite park, or even going on train-spotting adventures, which my young son loves.
When I was nearing the end of my maternity leave, I had concerns about balancing the office commute with daycare pick-ups. I also wondered if I’d be able to contribute to the team again after my time away. However, I had a conversation with my manager and my manager’s boss before returning, where I shared my thoughts, including the possibility of working reduced hours. Without hesitation, they reassured me that remote work would be fine and encouraged me to return full-time. Their supportive words wiped away any concerns I had and gave me the confidence to transition back to work.
At the entrance ceremony of the company I joined after university, we were asked to choose an English word to represent the kind of professional we aspired to be. I chose "irreplaceable," and that sentiment has stayed with me. I strive to be someone colleagues and business partners enjoy working with, aiming to make meaningful contributions inside and outside the company.
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TIER IV is always on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our journey. If you share our vision of making autonomous driving accessible to all, get in touch.
We’re currently hiring for the following related positions:
Visit our careers page to view all job openings.
If you’re uncertain about which roles align best with your experience, or if the current job openings don’t quite match your preferences, register your interest here. We’ll get in touch if a role that matches your experience becomes available, and schedule an informal interview.
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