About PlaceOS
What is PlaceOS?
PlaceOS is the smart-building operating system built by Sydney-based Place Technology Group — software that, in the company's own framing, "runs buildings the way an OS runs computers." Co-founders Jon McFarlane and Steve Von Takach met at the University of Sydney working on campus AV and IT, then founded PlaceOS fifteen years ago to solve the integration problem they saw across higher education: organisations running 10+ point solutions with no common data layer.
The platform connects every system in a building — HVAC, access control, AV, occupancy sensors — into a single programmable layer where teams can build applications, automate workflows, and deploy AI on top of building data. It's been in enterprise production for 13 years across more than 50 countries, with 27,500+ spaces managed daily. Average time from deployment to first value is around four weeks, and the platform delivers customers an average 20% HVAC savings without requiring new hardware.
The product portfolio includes WorkMate (the workplace app for room/desk bookings and visitor management), StageHand (AV and room control), Digital Signage, Backoffice (the control centre for facilities teams), and Place Creative (custom interfaces built on PlaceOS for organisations needing bespoke front-ends). The platform calls itself "Linux for smart spaces" — open, programmable, enterprise-scale. Code lives at github.com/placeos with a growing open-source driver library covering Cisco Meraki, Gallagher, Crestron, Honeywell, Microsoft 365, Salto, Extron, and many more integrations.
Where will I work?
PlaceOS is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with deep ties back to the University of Sydney campus where the founders began their work. The team supports a remote-friendly, globally distributed operating model — a necessary reality for a platform deployed across 50+ countries. Field engagements span universities, corporate workplaces, government facilities, and hospitals.
What is the PlaceOS team like?
The team operates with a culture of trust and results — engineers and consultants given the autonomy to manage their time and ship outcomes against shared platform goals. Co-founders Jon and Steve remain hands-on, with Jon directly fielding discovery-engagement enquiries at [email protected]. The company deliberately limits its discovery consulting practice to 12 clients per year (8 of 12 2026 slots filled at time of writing) — a constraint signalling a deep-engagement, low-volume client model. PlaceOS also publishes opinionated guidance for new engineers building drivers with AI-assisted tooling (Claude Code etc.) — quantifying that "what used to take a week can now take hours" for simple REST integrations.
Work-Life Balance
The team supports flexible working options including fully remote, hybrid, or in-office arrangements depending on role and preference. Operating across global time zones for a 50+-country customer base naturally requires asynchronous, outcome-focused work — the platform's own technical depth and 13-year production track record suggests a sustainable, mature engineering culture rather than a burnout sprint.
Perks and Benefits
- Flexible working options — fully remote, hybrid, or in-office depending on role
- Globally distributed product team — operating across 50+ countries with 27,500+ spaces managed daily
- Open-source-first engineering culture — drivers, SDK, APIs at github.com/placeos available to every engineer
- AI-assisted development tooling — Claude Code and similar agents integrated into the driver-building workflow
- High-trust, results-focused culture — autonomy to manage your own time and deliver outcomes
- Mature, enterprise-grade product — 13 years in production, working with universities, government, healthcare, and Fortune-scale workplaces