To celebrate Armed Forces Day, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible veterans and reservists who make up the Naimuri team.
Today, we’re sitting down with Joseph Lanzon, a Software Developer here at Naimuri, whose journey takes him from marching at Buckingham Palace to writing code that helps keep the UK safe.
Joseph shared his experiences transitioning from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to the civilian tech sector, and how he balances life as a part-time volunteer reservist (PTVR).
The Backstory: A Career with purpose
Joseph's military journey began in the Royal Air Force, where he specialised in the TG4 Cyberspace profession.
For Joseph, joining wasn't just a career choice; it was a calling…
"I joined the Royal Air Force because I wanted a career with purpose, structure, and the chance to be part of something bigger than myself,"
Joseph explains. "I was drawn to the sheer range of opportunities. After a few years in service, I realised just how many paths, experiences, and development opportunities exist. It’s really yours for the taking.
The highlight reel
Every veteran has memories that stick with them for a lifetime. For Joseph, two distinct moments stand out:
- The Royal March: "Marching into Buckingham Palace during the RAF’s 100th anniversary. It was definitely ‘type two fun’, difficult at the time and requiring a lot of focus, but something I now look back on with real pride."
- The Chinook View: "Flying in the back of a Chinook. Being a 'peace-time airman' made this a fun exercise and gave me a real appreciation for the wider RAF environment beyond my day-to-day role."
The Transition: Finding the mission again
Moving from the military to the civilian world can be a culture shock for many, but Joseph found the transition into tech remarkably smooth.
"Personally, I didn’t experience a massive culture shock," he says. "In the oil sector, safety drives everything. In tech, the focus is agility and moving quickly. In larger organisations, it's governance and structure. The RAF has elements of all of those things because it has to. Ultimately, if you are in a room with like-minded, driven people who care about doing good work, the environment feels familiar."
However, after initially leaving full-time service, Joseph felt something was missing in his civilian career: purpose. That’s what ultimately led him to Naimuri.
"When researching Naimuri, the tagline about making the UK a safer place really stood out to me. My previous civilian role lacked the sense of purpose that had originally drawn me to the Armed Forces. Naimuri offered that again, the opportunity to use my skills in a meaningful way and contribute to work that has real-world impact."
For Joseph, his service background isn't just a line on a resume; it provides vital context and a deep understanding of the mission objectives behind the software he builds every day.
The Balancing Act: Life as a reservist
Today, Joseph is an active Reservist (PTVR), meaning he juggles a busy tech career, military commitments, and a young family.
"I balance it through planning, family support, and open communication with my team," Joseph says. "I have a weekly call that lasts a few hours, which can be difficult to manage alongside having two young children, so I’m fortunate to have good support at home. I also attend reserve sprint weekends around four times a year, usually lasting four to five days."
Balancing two worlds requires an employer who doesn't just talk the talk, but walks the walk.
Through Naimuri and parent company QinetiQ (a Gold Award holder under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme), Joseph receives the practical backing he needs.
"Naimuri supports this by allowing me an additional 15 days of paid leave per year to attend reservist commitments. Without that policy, I genuinely do not think I could continue as a reservist alongside my civilian role. It shows practical support that enables reservists to continue their service."
Words of wisdom for service leavers
For those currently preparing to transition out of the Armed Forces and looking at companies like Naimuri, Joseph has some golden advice:
- Translate your skills: "Recognise the value of your military experience, but learn how to translate it properly. Leaving the forces can feel like starting again, but you are not starting from zero. You already have experience in teamwork, pressure, responsibility, communication, and getting things done in difficult environments."
- Build your evidence: "Don’t rely on your military background alone. Be prepared to learn, ask questions, and build evidence of what you can do. If you are interested in tech, start creating things: build a small portfolio, complete courses, contribute to projects, and show that you are serious."
- Don't undersell yourself: "A lot of service leavers assume they need to tick every box before applying for a role. You probably bring more to the table than you realise. The key is showing how your experience connects to the role and the mission."
Thank you, Joseph, for your continued service, your dedication to the Naimuri mission, and for sharing your story with us this Armed Forces Day!
