Meet Bartek & Wieslaw: Leading Engineers at Dell's Software R&D Center in Poland

Originally Published: January 5th, 2024

Meet Bartek:

I am a Product Owner and Senior Principal Engineer for the Networking Team, which is based in Poland and India. We’re working on the next generation of our products. We’re responsible for implementing things in network management. I’m working on the requirements, understanding the architect, on the QA strategy and as well on the code development to help my colleagues.

What does innovation mean to you? Innovation, to me, means that sometimes, even in an old product, through small changes, we can breathe new life, new spirit. Being innovative is simply, in my opinion, seeking opportunities for improvements, better product sales, and sometimes coming up with something entirely new. What top 5 words would you use to describe innovation? Open-mindedness, open to criticism and feedback, unconventional thinking, broader perspective on the product, and engaging in discussions with colleagues of varying experience and viewpoints. How do you personally bring innovation to life in your role? I strive not to focus solely on my part of the task, but to think comprehensively about the bigger picture. I don't limit myself to just the product I'm working on; I also consider how we can leverage what we've done here in other products to improve and standardize approaches, without reinventing the wheel.

What would you say to encourage others to join the R&D Software Center?

In my career, I've been through a few companies. It was at Dell that I truly felt my potential could be utilized. We have a significant level of autonomy in implementation, and our voices are heard, with our suggestions being put into practice. Additionally, our management team is exceptional; they're supportive, helpful, and focused on promoting their employees. I feel it's a great environment for personal development. We're working on cutting-edge technologies and products, incorporating the latest solutions and IT advancements available in the market. This not only leads to the creation of superior products but also fosters personal growth in terms of technical skills and soft skills. Beyond work, we are surrounded by friendly individuals with whom we get along exceptionally well. We spend time engaging in activities not only related to work, which further enhances our camaraderie.

Meet Wieslaw:

I am a Senior Principal Software Quality Engineer in the ISG organization, a key technical leader with dual roles in two critical areas.

In my first project, as the Chief Product Owner for Test Automation and DevSecOps, I drive the strategic direction of these initiatives. In this role, I collaborate with cross-functional teams, set priorities, and ensure the seamless integration of test automation and security practices throughout the development lifecycle. My expertise elevates software quality and security, facilitating efficient and reliable releases.

In my second project as Test Architect, I design and implement testing strategies. Understanding testing methodologies, tools, and best practices, I am creating and maintaining a comprehensive testing framework. It also involves crafting test plans, defining testing standards, and providing technical guidance to teams. It’s all about achieving optimal software performance, reliability and functionality.

Overall, my combined roles as Chief Product Owner and Test Architect drive innovation, elevate software quality and fortify security measures, ensuring the successful delivery of high-caliber software products.

What does innovation mean to you? To me, innovation means continuously finding inventive ways to enhance software quality practices, testing methodologies and quality assurance processes. It involves identifying and implementing cutting-edge techniques, tools and strategies that elevate software products' reliability, performance and security. Innovation includes developing advanced test automation frameworks, incorporating DevSecOps practices, and pioneering approaches to ensure thorough testing and validation. Ultimately, innovation empowers us to drive excellence, reduce defects, and contribute to the overall success of software development by pushing the boundaries of quality assurance. It's also about developing and implementing new ideas, technologies, processes or solutions that bring about significant improvements, advancements, or changes in software, hardware, networks, and systems, reshaping industries and improving user experiences. It involves creating novel ways to solve problems, enhance efficiency, introduce new capabilities, or revolutionize existing practices within digital technologies. What top 5 words would you use to describe innovation? Creativity, Evolution, Curiosity, Cutting-edge, Exploration

How do you personally bring innovation to life in your role?

Bringing innovation to life requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and willingness to change. To make it happen, we should consider the environment where we can explore new ideas, technologies and approaches. Support open collaboration among team members to share and develop innovative concepts. Dedicate time for experimentation and research to allow for the development of novel solutions. We should also keep up with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to incorporate fresh ideas.  Embrace calculated risks and acknowledge that not every innovation will succeed. Do not give up! Prioritize understanding user needs and challenges to drive innovative software solutions. Rapidly develop prototypes to test and adopt innovative concepts before full implementation. Work with the iterative development process to refine and enhance innovations over time. And last but not least, provide opportunities for ongoing learning and skill development to inspire innovation.

What would you say to encourage others to join the R&D Software Center?

Elevate your career at R&D Software Center! Experience a friendly environment where innovation, collaboration and growth converge. Join our diverse team working on groundbreaking projects, leveraging the latest technologies. Your skills will be valued, and your contributions will shape the future of technology. Together, let's create impactful solutions and start on a journey of professional excellence in the dynamic world of IT.

To learn more about life at Dell, visit Our Stories.