Natalia Waniczek: Software Engineering Manager

Job title:

Software Engineering Manager at Engineered Arts Ltd

Location:

Cornwall

What inspired you to go into engineering?

I always loved being on my PC playing, exploring, just enjoying technology from a young age. When I went to an open day at Truro College, my tutor made programming sound so fun that I was hooked straight away. I loved that it combined problem solving with actually building things that real people get to use. Once I started coding, I never looked back!

What do you love about your job?

Two things: problem solving and being part of something truly pioneering. Every day brings a new challenge to solve, and there's nothing quite like that feeling when everything finally clicks into place. But what really excites me is that we're building something the world hasn't really seen before, humanoid robots that can interact with people in real, meaningful ways. We're not following a roadmap that already exists, we're writing it. That's pretty cool!

What advice would you give to a young person looking to start a career in your industry?

Don't be afraid to try different things, seriously, just go for it! You don't need to have it all figured out from the start. Try coding, try building an app, try tinkering with hardware, try gaming, try AI tools there are so many corners of tech to explore and you might surprise yourself with what clicks. The most interesting engineers I know got here by following what they were curious about, not by following a rulebook. So experiment, break things, figure out how they work and don't let anyone tell you tech isn't for you!

What do you think will be the most exciting developments in your industry over the next 5-10 years?

AI and it's already happening! The way artificial intelligence is changing how we write and build software is mind-blowing, and we're only just getting started. In the next ten years, I think AI will become like a superpower for engineers helping us build things faster, smarter, and bigger than ever before. I work in humanoid robotics, so for me it's extra exciting because AI isn't just something we use, it's literally what we're building. Imagine designing a robot that can think, move, and interact with the real world, that's the kind of future we're working towards!

Why would you encourage more girls to pursue a career like yours?

Girls are natural problem solvers and engineering is one of the best places to put that skill to work. Software Engineering isn't just about technology; it's about people. It's about bringing a team together, understanding what others need, and building something that genuinely makes a difference in the world. And yes you get to build really cool things that other people actually use every day.