Insight: A day in the life of Ozone API’s Alfiya Khan

Alfiya Khan is a software engineer at Ozone API and was named the Women in Open Banking Rising Star at the Open Banking Expo Awards 2024, which took place in London on 15 October.

Based in Pune, India, Alfiya shares a snapshot of her life as a software engineer, scrum master and Masters student; and explains why Open Banking excites her and what keeps her motivated.

Why Open Banking

Open Banking excites me because it’s more than just a technological trend – it’s an opportunity to reshape the financial landscape.

Ozone API’s Alfiya Khan

The idea that technology can empower individuals and businesses by giving them control over their financial data resonates deeply with me.

It’s about transparency, security, and fostering an innovative ecosystem. Being part of this movement is both motivating and rewarding, knowing that my work contributes to a system that drives positive change.

A typical day

As a software engineer and scrum master at Ozone API, my day starts by diving into technical challenges like debugging endpoints, or aligning API integrations with Open Banking standards. No two days are the same, which keeps the work exciting and dynamic.

In my capacity as a scrum master, I facilitate daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and sprint planning sessions to ensure the team stays aligned on goals. One of the highlights of my role is hosting sprint demos, where I present our collective achievements to stakeholders. These demos go beyond showcasing technical progress – they emphasise how collaboration across teams drives the delivery of secure, high-quality products.

Collaboration lies at the core of what we do. Whether I’m coordinating with developers, testers, or product managers, the goal is always to create solutions that are robust, user-friendly, and meet the highest standards of quality and security. This collective effort makes our work both meaningful and impactful.

Masters – how it complements my Open Banking journey

In addition to my work, I’m pursuing a Master’s in Software Engineering from BITS Pilani, one of India’s top-ranked universities. Balancing work and studies is challenging, but the two complement each other perfectly.

The rigorous academic environment at BITS Pilani equips me with a solid foundation in software design, software architecture, and user-focused development. Applying these principles to real-world challenges helps me approach problems with a more holistic perspective. This continuous learning journey ensures I stay sharp and well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the rapidly evolving Open Banking industry.

What keeps me motivated

What I enjoy most about my job is the sense of purpose behind everything we do. Seeing the tangible impact of my work and knowing it contributes to a more efficient, transparent financial system is deeply fulfilling.

Winning the Women in Open Banking Rising Star award was a significant milestone that validated my technical contributions and passion for driving change.

The collaborative culture at Ozone API is a constant source of motivation. Tackling new challenges, troubleshooting complex issues, and finding ways to optimise processes, push me to grow and innovate.

Open Banking, for me, isn’t just a career – it’s a mission to empower users and transform finance. This sense of purpose drives me to strive for excellence every day.

Alfiya Khan is a software engineer at Ozone API