Meet DeepL: thriving at work and at home

Navigating a fast-paced career in tech with parenthood is no small feat. For Chandni Stiehl, Senior Technical Product Manager for DeepL’s Data Platform, it’s a daily act of adaptability, resilience, and leveraging a strong support system. 

In this conversation, Chandni shares how she approaches the challenges of work and family life, the strengths she’s developed as a parent, and how DeepL’s flexible culture helps her thrive in both roles.

Let’s start with an introduction

Hi! I’m Chandni, and I work as a Senior Technical Product Manager for DeepL’s Data Platform team. I’ve been in the data world for over 13 years, moving from engineering and architecture to product management. 

My job is to ensure that DeepL’s teams have the right data tools to make smart, informed decisions. It’s a dynamic role; I work closely with engineers, analysts, and business leaders to shape how we use data to drive innovation. 

I love solving complex problems, but what really excites me is making data accessible and impactful for everyone at DeepL.

How do you approach work and parenthood?

There’s no perfect formula — it’s about adapting as life happens. I’ve learned to be flexible and open about my priorities. If my child is unwell, I let my team know I’ll be a little less available. If work is hectic, I communicate with my family that I may need extra time to get things done.

What’s most important is being intentional with my time. No matter how busy I get, I prioritize meaningful moments — whether it’s a shared meal, a focused brainstorming session, or a bedtime story. Those small routines keep me grounded and help me stay present for both my work and my family.

What are the biggest challenges?

Feeling like I need to be in two places at once. It’s easy to feel stretched when both work and family need me.

I’ve found that curiosity and empathy help a lot, both at home and at work. If my son is upset over something that feels minor to me, I don’t brush it off. I listen, ask questions, and help him work through it. 

At work, I take a similar approach with our users, listening deeply, asking questions, and working together to find solutions. Parenthood has strengthened my patience, empathy, and problem-solving skills. The skills I use at home — like staying calm and thinking on my feet — help me in my career, too.

How does DeepL support working parents?

DeepL truly values flexibility and trust, and that makes a huge difference. My team has my back, and that level of support helps me manage everything more easily.

Flexible working has been a game-changer. In tech roles, we have a lot of autonomy over our schedules, which allows me to plan my day in a way that helps me perform best.

In addition, DeepL’s well-being resources have been extremely valuable. For example, I recently attended a session called “Navigating Your Emotional World”, and it gave me great strategies for handling stress and emotions. What I learned in that session has helped me not just at work, but in parenting too, helping me stay calm and present, even in challenging moments.

Many women worry that parenthood could impact their career. What’s your take?

I completely understand that fear. I had it too. After my son was born, I wondered if I’d still be able to keep up in such a fast-moving industry. Then, at a company meetup, I had a conversation with a colleague who had older children. He shared how parenthood had helped him grow as a professional — deepening his patience, empathy, and ability to prioritize. That conversation changed my perspective.

Indeed, I have found that parenthood hasn’t held me back. Instead, it has helped me grow in ways that have made me an even stronger professional. The emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and the ability to stay calm under pressure that I’ve learned as a parent are also making me a stronger leader at work.

What advice would you give to other working parents?

I would offer 3 primary pieces of advice here:

1. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to balancing work and parenthood, so focus on what works for you. Be kind to yourself and try to adapt as life happens.
2. Having a strong support system makes all the difference—both at home and at work. Connect with people who understand what you're juggling, communicate openly, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. 
3. It’s not about how much time you spend in either role, but how present you are in the moments that matter. Whether it’s a focused work session or reading a bedtime story, being fully there is what counts.

And to all the working parents out there: you’re doing great! Every phase brings new challenges and growth, and you’re making a meaningful impact—both at home and at work.

Chandni’s story is a powerful example of how DeepL supports employees throughout their career. Want to be part of a workplace that truly helps you thrive? Explore our careers site and check out our blog to hear more from our team.