Comprehensive Career Guide: How to Get a Job at New Vector (trading as Element)

FAQ SECTION

1. What is New Vector (trading as Element)?

New Vector Limited, known commercially as Element, is the company behind the open-source communication protocol Matrix and the Element client. Headquartered in Europe with operations across the UK and EU, it works at the juncture of technology, privacy advocacy, and digital rights policy. The organization champions decentralised, secure, and privacy-respecting communication systems, supporting EU policy goals such as digital sovereignty, the digital economy, and justice and fundamental rights.

2. Where is Element’s EU presence located?

Element maintains a strong policy and advocacy presence in Brussels, typically involved in dialogue around digital sovereignty, open standards, and secure communication. The Brussels office engages directly with EU institutions, member-state representatives, think tanks, and policy networks. Candidates interested in EU affairs, technology governance, or privacy policy will often find opportunities here.

3. What types of jobs does New Vector/Element offer?

Roles range from software engineering and cybersecurity to EU digital policy analysis, communications, research, marketing, and partnerships. Technical positions involve working with the Matrix protocol, end-to-end encryption, and decentralised infrastructure. Non-technical positions involve policy development, advocacy, communications strategy, and engagement with EU stakeholders.

4. What is the hiring process like?

The hiring process is thorough and reflective of both technical rigor and cultural alignment. It generally involves an online application, technical or policy assessments, multiple interviews (including panel and case-study formats), and reference checks. Element prioritizes candidates who demonstrate passion for decentralisation, privacy rights, and open-source ethics.

5. What qualifications does Element look for?

Technical roles require proficiency in programming (especially TypeScript, React, Rust, or Python), understanding encryption standards, and familiarity with open-source development. Policy and advocacy roles seek experience in EU digital policy, cybersecurity law, or data protection regulation (GDPR). Strong written and oral communication skills in English are essential; French or another EU language is highly valued for Brussels-based posts.

6. Does Element hire non-EU citizens?

Yes, though EU work authorization is preferred for Brussels roles. Non-EU candidates can apply if they have the right to work in the EU or if Element can facilitate work visa arrangements. The company values diversity and frequently hires globally for remote technical roles.

7. What is the company culture like?

Element’s culture is distinctly open-source-first, transparent, and mission-driven. Collaboration, autonomy, and respect for privacy are fundamental principles. Employees often work in highly flexible teams, enjoying freedom to innovate and experiment. Team trust and mutual accountability form the backbone of the workplace culture.

8. What kind of salaries and benefits can I expect?

Compensation is competitive within the EU technology and advocacy space, including salaries comparable to tech startups and policy think-tanks. Brussels-based roles usually involve mid-level remuneration aligned with EU NGO or digital advocacy organizations. Additional benefits include remote work flexibility, stock options (for some roles), health coverage, and professional training budgets.

9. How can I prepare for interviews at Element?

Preparation involves understanding decentralised architecture, encryption theory, and EU digital policy trends. Candidates should study the Matrix protocol, the company’s advocacy positions on privacy, and current EU legislative developments such as the Digital Services Act and AI Act. Technical candidates should also review Element’s GitHub repositories to understand ongoing development efforts.

10. What are career progression opportunities?

Employees can move from technical contributor roles to senior or lead developer positions, or transition across departments (e.g., software engineering to product management). Policy professionals can advance from analyst to manager, then to Director of EU Affairs or Global Policy Lead. Internal mobility is encouraged and supported through mentoring and cross-team projects.

11. How important is open-source experience?

Open-source experience is highly valued. Contributing to open-source projects — especially Matrix or similar privacy-focused technologies — demonstrates alignment with Element’s mission and technical ethos. Candidates should showcase public repositories or community engagement.

12. How can I get noticed by Element recruiters?

Join online Matrix communities, engage with Element developers, attend Brussels digital rights events, and contribute to open-source discussions. Having visible advocacy efforts, coding contributions, or written analysis on privacy and digital sovereignty topics can attract recruiter attention.

1. Company Overview & Career Opportunities

New Vector (trading as Element) is an influential technology company and advocacy organization driving decentralised communication innovation in Europe. Founded with the vision of empowering individuals to communicate securely and freely, Element operates at the intersection of technology development and EU policy advocacy.

The company is best known for developing and maintaining the Matrix open standard, a decentralized communication protocol enabling secure, interoperable messaging and VoIP. Element’s work underpins initiatives to reduce reliance on centralised servers and enhance data sovereignty—a key priority in EU digital policy frameworks.

From a policy perspective, Element’s Brussels presence positions it within the ecosystem of organizations contributing to the EU’s Digital Decade agenda. The company collaborates with directorates such as DG CONNECT (Digital Economy and Society) and DG JUST (Justice and Consumers), influencing regulatory approaches to encryption, secure digital infrastructure, and interoperability standards.

Career opportunities are expanding alongside Element’s growth trajectory. With increasing institutional interest in data privacy, digital sovereignty, and decentralisation, the company is steadily hiring across engineering, product development, policy advocacy, and business operations. Roles in Brussels focus on EU stakeholder engagement, while technical roles may be remote or based across its European offices.

As governments and organizations increasingly adopt Matrix- and Element-based solutions, the company’s hiring trends point toward sustained expansion in fields such as cybersecurity, blockchain interoperability, and EU policy consulting related to secure communication ecosystems.

2. Available Career Paths & Roles

New Vector (Element) offers varied professional tracks across technical, policy, and administrative domains. Below are key departments and job families, along with entry requirements and progression paths:

• Software Engineering: Entry requirements include proficiency in modern programming languages (TypeScript, React, Rust). Responsibilities involve building secure communication features, scalability improvements, and UI/UX optimisation. Career progression: Junior → Mid-level Engineer → Senior → Lead → Engineering Manager. Typical salaries range from €45,000–€95,000.
• Security & Cryptography: Expertise in end-to-end encryption, cryptographic libraries, and secure protocol design required. Roles include Cryptography Engineer, Security Architect. Salaries: €60,000–€110,000 depending on experience. Benefits often include conference attendance budgets and research stipends.
• EU Policy & Advocacy: Requires background in European studies, digital law, or public policy. Responsibilities: drafting position papers, engaging EU Parliament members, advising on regulatory developments. Progression: Policy Analyst → Senior Policy Advisor → Director of Policy. Salaries: €40,000–€85,000 in Brussels.
• Product Management: Manages product roadmap and cross-functional coordination between engineering and advocacy. Requires tech literacy and strategic insight. Salaries: €55,000–€100,000.
• Communications & Public Affairs: Designs outreach strategies, coordinates with press, and manages content around privacy advocacy. Salaries: €45,000–€80,000 with progression to Head of Communications.
• Design & User Experience: Focuses on accessibility and intuitive interface design for Element clients. Entry: UX/UI Designer (€40,000–€65,000), advancement to Lead Designer (€85,000).
• Research & Innovation: Conducts research on decentralisation, network protocols, and societal impact of digital infrastructure. Typically requires MSc or PhD. Salaries €50,000–€90,000.
• Legal & Compliance: Advises on GDPR compliance, data protection, and cybersecurity standards. Entry: Legal Advisor (€50,000–€75,000), progression to Director of Legal Affairs (€100,000+).
• Operations & Administration: Ensures smooth organizational functions, HR, and financial management. Salaries €35,000–€70,000.
• Community Development: Manages contributor relations and open-source governance. Requires community management experience. Salaries €40,000–€75,000.
• Partnerships & Business Development: Builds relationships with public institutions adopting Matrix. Salaries €60,000–€95,000.
• Technical Support & Customer Success: Provides assistance to clients and institutional users. Salaries €35,000–€60,000.

3. Application Process & Requirements

1. Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with the Matrix ecosystem, Element client, and the organization’s privacy mission.
2. Identify Suitable Roles: Visit Element’s careers page or open-source community channels to find openings aligned with your skills.
3. Prepare Your Application: Include a tailored CV emphasizing open-source contributions or policy experience. Write a cover letter showcasing alignment with decentralisation and privacy advocacy values.
4. Submit Online Application: Complete forms on the official portal or via direct recruiter contact.
5. Pre-screening Review: HR or department leads assess qualifications and relevant project experience.
6. Technical or Policy Assessment: Engineering candidates may complete coding challenges; policy candidates may submit analytical memos on EU legislation.
7. Interviews: Attend 2–3 rounds of interviews, including panel discussions with cross-functional team members.
8. Final Discussion: Meet with department heads or founders to discuss role fit and mission alignment.
9. Reference Checks: Typically 2–3 professional references requested.
10. Offer & Onboarding: Successful candidates receive offers outlining salary, benefits, and remote options.

Assessments evaluate both technical competence and philosophical commitment to open standards, privacy, and decentralisation. A typical timeline from application to offer ranges between 4–6 weeks.

4. Interview Preparation

Common Interview Questions (Examples)

• How does the Matrix protocol differ from other messaging standards?
• Explain end-to-end encryption and its significance in digital sovereignty.
• How would you advocate for open communication standards within the EU policy landscape?
• Describe your experience with open-source projects.
• What challenges do decentralised architectures face in scaling?
• How do you prioritize data protection in product design?
• Discuss your understanding of the GDPR and its implications for Element.
• How would you engage stakeholders at DG CONNECT or DG JUST?
• What motivates you to join Element?
• Describe a complex problem you solved collaboratively.
• How do you handle conflicts between technical feasibility and privacy principles?
• Explain the concept of digital self-sovereignty.
• How do you stay updated on EU digital policy debates?
• Describe your most impactful open-source contribution.
• Where do you see decentralised communication evolving within the next five years?

Technical interviews may involve code reviews or system design diagrams. Policy candidates face analytical discussions and may deliver presentations on EU regulatory developments. After interviews, sending a thoughtful follow-up email reiterating your interest and insights is essential.

5. Networking & Insider Tips

• Join Matrix.org public rooms to interact with developers and advocates.
• Attend EU events such as Freedom Online Coalition or European Data Protection Days.
• Follow Element and Matrix leaders on LinkedIn and Twitter for insights.
• Engage in Brussels digital rights communities (EDRi, AccessNow, DigitalEurope).
• Leverage Element’s internal referral program—employees can fast-track referred candidates.
• Publish policy analysis or technical blogs showcasing understanding of open communication standards.

6. Career Development & Culture

Element invests in ongoing learning through training budgets, mentorships, and exposure to the broader open-source community. Employees are encouraged to contribute to public repositories, attend conferences, and write policy papers. Internal career development includes periodic skill reviews, transparent performance feedback, and growth planning.

Culture emphasizes autonomy, innovation, and ethical responsibility. The organization encourages flexible working hours and remote collaboration. Diversity and inclusion are core values—Element recruits globally, ensuring equal representation in its leadership and technical teams.

7. Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Ranges (Indicative):
  • Junior Engineers / Analysts: €40,000–€55,000
  • Mid-level Professionals: €55,000–€85,000
  • Senior / Lead roles: €85,000–€110,000+
  • Director-level: €110,000–€150,000+
• Bonuses & Equity: Some roles include performance bonuses and equity options.
• Health & Well-being: Comprehensive coverage in line with EU regulations; mental health support included.
• Pension & Retirement: Standard EU pension schemes and optional private plans.
• Professional Development: Annual training budget, conference attendance, and certification support.
• Location Perks: Brussels staff enjoy allowances for transport, wellness, and flexible workspace subscriptions.

8. Work-Life Balance & Brussels Living

Work-life balance is a hallmark of Element’s culture. Typical work hours are flexible—core hours from 10:00–16:00 CET with remote options. Brussels-based teams often blend in-office collaborations with virtual meetings across Europe.

Office culture is informal yet purpose-driven. Weekly stand-ups and digital coffee sessions foster community. Brussels offers excellent conditions for expatriates, with multilingual schools, cultural diversity, and vibrant policy networks.

Cost of living in Brussels remains moderate compared to Paris or London, and family-friendly policies support parental leave, daycare partnerships, and flexible scheduling.

9. Success Stories & Alumni Network

• “A Policy Analyst turned Digital Rights Lead”: Joined with background in EU law, now leads advocacy on encryption and privacy at major EU forums.
• “An Open-source Developer’s Journey”: Started contributing to Matrix voluntarily, later hired as Senior Engineer after showcasing innovative patches.
• “Product Manager Transitioning from NGO”: Combined experience in public policy and product design to manage citizen communication projects.
• “Researcher in Brussels”: Collaborates with EU think tanks, publishing papers on decentralised infrastructure impacts.
• “Community Advocate”: Built Matrix user community across Europe, now leads user support and engagement teams.

Element maintains an active alumni network, connecting former employees across tech startups, policy organizations, and EU institutions. Mentorship programs link new hires with experienced professionals, encouraging long-term growth.

10. Final Tips & Contact Information

• Demonstrate clear commitment to open-source ethos and privacy rights.
• Engage publicly with Matrix projects and contribute code or policy analysis.
• Network within Brussels digital advocacy circles and EU policy groups.
• Prepare for interdisciplinary interviews integrating tech and policy know-how.
• Understand current EU priorities—Digital Sovereignty, Data Governance, AI regulation.

Contact Information:
For career inquiries or open positions, visit Element’s official website or reach HR via [email protected] (subject to updates). Networking through Matrix public rooms or LinkedIn remains an effective entry path.

Recommended Resources:

• Matrix.org Documentation
• EU Digital Strategy Portal (ec.europa.eu)
• EDRi and AccessNow for privacy policy insights
• Open Source Initiative and GitHub repositories

Conclusion: Securing a career at New Vector (Element) demands both technical excellence and passionate commitment to privacy and decentralisation. Whether your background lies in EU policy analysis, encryption engineering, or digital advocacy, aligning your expertise with the company’s mission will set you apart. By immersing yourself in open-source communities, understanding EU digital priorities, and demonstrating collaborative innovation, you can thrive within one of Europe’s most forward-thinking privacy technology organizations.