What's your job about?
I am an engineer in the Embedded team at WiseTech Global. Our company creates logistics execution platforms that keep the world's goods moving and I work on the Telematics project, which provides vital logistics data for trucks and trailers, including GPS location, tyre pressure and temperature, and onboard cargo mass.
Logistics is a simple business on the surface; you're just moving goods from point A to point B. But the variety of tasks I complete in my day-to-day work shows you just how complex it can be. One moment I'll be designing the network layer of a proprietary communication protocol and the next I'll be optimizing power management on a microcontroller to increase battery life. My job involves software engineering, electrical engineering, firmware engineering, and product testing interchangeably. I design, develop code, and test. What I do today is rarely what I was doing yesterday, which is a real pleasure.
What's your background?
I was born in Sydney and grew up just a short walk from the WiseTech offices. I worked as a manager at a backpacker hostel through university but I started my journey at WiseTech when I was looking for an internship as part of my undergraduate engineering degree. I found a listing for a graduate position and asked if they'd consider a summer intern. Luckily for me, they said yes and I've been working here ever since!
When I came in for an interview, WiseTech really took the time to understand my strengths and experience so even though I came in for a software role, they introduced me to the Embedded team. It took me all of about 30 seconds to know where I wanted to be! After the internship, I continued working part-time here throughout my thesis year and now work here full-time. It’s been almost two years.
WiseTech believes in work-life balance so I have plenty of time to pursue my hobbies, which include lots of outdoor activities like canyoning and hiking, as well as my side job as a distiller, making whisky, brandy, and gin.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
The number one skill we value here is the ability to learn new technologies and adapt that knowledge to address the task at hand. We have a diverse team with a range of different backgrounds and one approach alone is usually insufficient to solve the complex problems we face. You won't know everything from day 1 (or even on day 1001), but as long as you're enthusiastic and eager to learn, you will do well in this industry.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
I really value the flexibility here. I'm extremely lucky to have an employer that works with me extensively to help me achieve my personal and work goals side-by-side. As an active person, I can use the workplace gym facilities at lunch or after work to provide balance, keeping my mind sharp throughout the day. Plus, we get free food and beer every Friday afternoon which is a huge plus.
What are the limitations of your job?
You definitely have to show initiative. There is no boss standing over your shoulder telling you what to do and what not to do. Team leaders are focused on facilitating the growth of their employees and letting the team work on the passion projects that they think will drive the company forward. You need to be an internally motivated person, because the only limits are the ones you put on yourself.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do with your career straight out of university or even what industry you want to start off in. All you need to know is what drives you as an individual. For me, that is the ‘eureka!’ feeling you get when you solve a problem, or answer a riddle, or gain an understanding of a challenging concept. From there, look for jobs that will scratch that itch. Wherever you end up, you're much more likely to be satisfied if you have that drive.