Software engineer and indie app builder
I’m Hoye Lam: a Senior Software Engineer at DeepL specializing in iOS and macOS, an indie app builder, husband, father, writer, and former semi-professional gamer. I still believe the best way to learn is to do the work.
I care about products that solve real problems: tools that read text aloud, save webpages, organize receipts, capture thoughts, and make everyday workflows lighter.
Currently
- Full-time
Senior Software Engineer at DeepL, specializing in iOS and macOS development.
- Building
LoudScript, Websave, Thinkdrop 2, and Waterfuze.
- Exploring
Agentic development workflows with Codex, Claude Code, and OpenCode.
Experience
10+years in professional software engineering
9+years in iOS development
2+years in Android development
1+years leading teams and projects
- Experience in backend development, software architecture, and the full development lifecycle.
- Main programming languages: Swift, JavaScript, Go, and Kotlin.
- Worked across language technology, sleep tech, healthcare, education, productivity, and consumer apps.
- Apple WWDC 2019 attendee.
Timeline
Recent
- Launched LoudScript.
- Launched Websave.
- Launched CraftCaption.
- Launched Waterfuze and Xpensemap.
- Became a father.
- Rewrote Thinkdrop 2.
- Married.
- Launched Esportsfort.
Career
- Joined DeepL, now working as a Senior Software Engineer specializing in iOS and macOS development.
- Worked on freelance and ZZP projects alongside full-time roles.
- Software Lead and Developer at Somnox B.V.
- Project Lead and Software Developer at Somnox B.V.
- Started at Somnox B.V., the world’s first sleep robot, as a Software Developer.
- Graduated with a Bachelor in Computer Science from the University of Rotterdam.
- Wrote a thesis on third-party service integrations in mobile apps and microservices.
Earlier projects
- Launched Think Drop 2 and Devleads.
- Launched Growrilla, Kowa, this personal blog, and Kin-Yee.
- Launched Think Drop.
- Launched Esports Calendar.
- Started freelance work and the discontinued company Startup Story.
- Started part-time mobile development.
- Started Computer Science after graduating high school in Economics and Society.
Outside work
- Can speak Dutch, English, Cantonese, and some Mandarin.
- Likes esports, primarily Counter-Strike and League of Legends.
- Listens to music often, especially hip-hop.
- Has primarily lived in the Netherlands and Hong Kong.
- Has traveled across Europe, Asia, Iceland, and the U.S.
- Started learning iOS development on a Windows laptop through a virtual machine.
- Played League of Legends semi-professionally in 2013-2014 and Overwatch semi-professionally in 2018.
- Practiced karate until age 14 and has done traditional Chinese performance dancing since 2018.