Interviews

Miklós – VP of Development, Common Technology Unit

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?
A series of funny coincidences led me to NNG. In 2006 I was working for a multinational IT company, and we were looking for navigation devices to use in our company cars. The majority of devices available on the market at that time were running on monochrome software featuring rather limited functions and a simple interface. Someone drew my attention to a Hungarian software solution that was colorful, eye-catching and easy to use. It soon turned out that the software was developed by some of my ex-classmates from university. I contacted them and arranged an appointment with Péter Balogh. He happened to have other commitments at that time, but I managed to exchange some words with another developer, György Blahut. As it turned out, he thought I was having a job interview, and soon I was offered a job at the company.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
Being deeply attached to this company, I probably see things differently from a newcomer. NNG is one of a kind, as there are only a few Hungarian development companies that are known all over the world and are present on all five continents. We’ve got a really good team working together, and we are trying to bring together the best developers in the country.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day? Where can your achievements be detected?
I head a team of 80-90 people responsible for the development of the basic features and functions of the navigation software. Therefore, in one way or another, we are involved in almost all of our in-house projects. It is quite a job to develop a streamlined workflow involving so many people, and it requires a constant state of readiness. In addition, we also need to take into consideration our clients’ wide range of needs and requirements.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer/QA specialist must have?
We try to find the most talented people; therefore, the recruitment process is broken up into several stages, where the candidates need to give proof of their professional knowledge. We work hard for our successes, so successful candidates have to cope with heavy workloads – but, of course, we try to streamline our workflow so that it doesn’t have a negative effect on our private lives. We appreciate it if someone is open-minded and friendly, but it’s not a must. We understand the make-up of our teams, so new recruits are assigned to teams where they can work with people of their kind.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I leave my mark on practically every NNG development. I love the feeling of completing a project successfully. And it also makes me proud to get in a taxi cab and see the driver using our navigation software.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
Our greatest success is what the company has achieved so far. We cooperate with the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, and the most famous brands come with our software solutions. When we were kids, we all used to play with automotive playing cards and collect the best models – the brands we are working with today were some of the most valuable ones to collect.

Lajos – Team Leader, Hardware Support Team

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?
I joined Nav N Go LLC in November, 2006. One of my friends who worked here asked me if I wanted to join a brand new test team. It took me one minute to say yes. I had a long-standing interest in navigation development and technology, and Nav N Go was quite attractive as its development solutions and sales activities had already extended beyond Hungary to reach the whole world.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
NNG is a great work place, and I love being here and doing what I’m here for. We managed to keep the friendly and cozy atmosphere we had when NNG was still a small-scale enterprise. This is especially true for those I have been working with for more than 5 years, even though the company now has a staff far greater than just 50 people. Although working conditions count a lot (eg what my team is like, how flexible my working hours are), for me, having an interesting and valuable job is the most important factor. There is no shortage of challenges, as NNG has the ability to constantly renew itself: the company adapts to changes in the market, and we’re always coming up with something new.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day? Where can your achievements be detected?
Currently I head the hardware support team, which is completely different from the job I had when I joined the company, where the results of my work could be traced in our products; still, it continuously presents new challenges. Our task is to satisfy our colleagues, which is at least as difficult as software development. We assemble the semi-complete devices received from our partners, and try to create the most lifelike navigation environments in order to facilitate our colleagues’ work. We often get given a box full of panels and cables without any documentation, and our task is to find out what it’s supposed to be, and then put it together. In addition, our team is responsible for fixing the broken test devices used by our staff.
Furthermore, we operate the GPS room designed to simulate navigation environments in any other corner of the world. This makes our testers’ and developers’ jobs a lot easier. We are also responsible for organizing and carrying out field tests in any of the 5 continents.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer/QA specialist must have?
Precision and attention to detail are essential; however, having a willingness to face challenges is even more important. Our tasks may change day by day, and we always have to adapt our work to altered circumstances. One day you are developing in C++, but if you are familiar with Java, you may be assigned another task the following day. Additionally, open-mindedness plays a major contribution to success.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Versatility and the fact that I bump into something unexpected in my work on a daily basis. I can work independently, and I am asked for my opinion, which is always taken into account. It is really good to come to work here every day, and I can see that my colleagues share the same attitude.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I could cite plenty of examples; however, the most important achievement was setting up today’s hardware support team. We had to overcome lots of difficulties and start everything almost from scratch. Initially, this was not one of the priority areas at NNG, as it is essentially a software development company. Dedicating a team to fixing devices, dealing with updates and running field tests came into focus at a later point in time. Now I am working with three people, who are perfectly capable of fulfilling these tasks in our offices.

Ábel – Group Leader, PND

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?

A headhunter company offered me the vacant position. I had a job at the time and I wasn’t thinking of looking for another one. But I simply couldn’t miss the opportunity to work for a company whose software is used by millions of people.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
First of all, it’s a well-organized company. I mean, we are provided with everything we need to do our job efficiently and comfortably. A simple example: if my headphone breaks down, all I have to do is report it on the intranet, and if there is a spare one I get it in less than 15 minutes. On the other hand, the people here are very friendly and helpful: nobody is ever turned down if they need help in dealing with a problem. In addition, the greatest minds are working here, and I’m convinced that there are some real geniuses among them. I’m often amazed by the original way they carry out their tasks.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
As a group leader, I’m primarily responsible for my team. I coordinate our tasks, keep track of the current projects and, of course, help my team members to improve. If I have time, I also do my share of programming; in addition, I’m a member of several internal boards that discuss and decide on the general architectural and QA issues. In my opinion, my greatest achievement is if my team is satisfied and if I can make my contribution to the design of the functions and features that will be integrated in the new software versions.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer must have?
A good developer thinks fast, and can work independently as well as in a team if necessary. They have a clear picture of complex systems, which is very useful when someone works on a code containing more than one million lines. They try to handle problems independently; however, they have to be able to admit if they are stuck. We have an internal chat room, where all the developers are members, and the guys are often online even at 1am.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
This is the ideal position for me, because I can work with people and I am involved in elaborating concepts at the same time. I have a say in which new features and functions should be added to the new software, and I can proudly show my friends the innovations we have developed.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I would like to highlight a personal story. I was recruited as a group leader, but there was so much to learn at the beginning: I had to get familiar with the codes and workflows at the company. After a few months, I was appointed as the leader of the group I had worked in. It was a very embarrassing situation, because I became the leader of people who had been at the company for much longer. I’m so glad that it didn’t generate any tension, and we can work together efficiently, without any conflicts and in a good mood.

Áron – Junior Programmer, Auto OEM

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?

I was an undergraduate at Eötvös Loránd University when NNG was advertizing its trainee positions. When I applied I didn’t even know exactly what the company’s profile was. However, I was assigned so many interesting tasks during my first month here that when I was offered a permanent job, I eagerly said yes.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
Most of all because the people are extremely friendly, and so I can work with a very good team in a pleasant environment. Naturally, the professional challenges are also exciting: I learned more in 3 months here than in all my time at university. In addition, they pay attention to creature comforts like flexitime.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
I’m a junior programmer in the Auto OEM business unit. In my everyday work, I continuously face programming challenges where you have to meet code-related quality requirements and where you need to work fast to meet strict deadlines. The automotive products I develop are made for our OEM partners and are installed in millions of cars all over the world.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG programmer must have?
On the one hand, deep knowledge of the C++ language and at least a couple of months’ experience is fundamental. On the other hand, showing enthusiasm for learning and developing as well as putting enough energy into your work is also essential.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The fact that I can learn a lot and develop considerably: my superiors keep a close eye on my professional development, and I can also see that there is room for improvement. I feel honored and proud that what I develop is used and will be used by so many people.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I’m particularly proud of the dead reckoning module developed for Clarion. Dead reckoning means navigation without a GPS signal, with the use of the data provided by an in-car gyroscope. Writing this code and integrating it into the iGO code presented a serious challenge to a fresh graduate.

Ágoston, Lead Engineer, Harman BU

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?
I joined the company after it was recommended to me by a colleague of mine who I’d already worked together with at another firm. I was attracted by the cooperative and supportive environment as well as the pleasant atmosphere at NNG.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
NNG is a Hungarian company, which means that through our export revenues and NNG’s international recognition, our activities add measurable and tangible value to the country’s achievements. Here you can share your problems with anyone you like, and this attitude is also true for the members of the management team. It is also exceptional that we are prepared to come up with the right solution even if we have to start everything from scratch. To achieve this, we obviously need to acknowledge our mistakes and correct them. NNG is neither too big nor too small a company, with a solid background, and it offers a cozy and friendly atmosphere. It has a transparent benefits system, and the staff always get what they’ve been promised.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
My work is characterized by a dynamically changing international environment. In addition to designing, organizing and keeping track of a range of tasks within a whole project, my duties include communicating efficiently with our multinational clients. What I find the most difficult is that I have to get the message across from the developer to the client and vice versa. This is not an easy job, as I have to maintain relationships with people from lots of different nations, share information about complex issues with them and reach agreement. From a technological side, I also find it challenging as to how we can achieve what our clients need. The results of my work are seen in the various models of the leading automotive manufacturers.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer/QA specialist must have?
Developers primarily need to have outstanding problem-solving skills and C++ programming experience. Additionally, good communication skills are also essential: you need to understand the task you are assigned to, carry it out, and hand it on to the next person. Testers, on the other hand, have to give appropriate feedback to the developers. In the case of testers, a quality-oriented approach is a must, I think. They have to notice errors, and be observant and meticulous. This is in fact a natural talent which is very difficult to learn. It goes without saying that these positions also require organized work and a methodical approach, which is especially essential in the testing processes.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I like it when my colleagues are stuck while trying to find a solution, and I’m able to give them a hand, clear up misunderstandings, and make my contribution to overcoming the problem. I enjoy it, when looking at a situation from outside, that I can see the overall context. In brief, I’m glad when I can find the solution to a problem, and this enables me to help other people.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I’m really proud of having managed and controlled one of our biggest automotive projects. Thanks to the successful cooperation, NNG’s solution will become standard in millions of cars. This is a major achievement in the company’s history, and I am glad to have been part of it.

Gabriella, Project Assistant, Harman BU

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?

When I was still an undergraduate, one of the people I knew worked for NNG and told me a lot about the friendly atmosphere here. After our conversation I read quite a lot about the company and followed them in the media. When my life took a new turn and I wanted to change jobs, I checked the company’s website to see if there was a position good for me. Naturally, it weighed heavily in the company’s favor that it was a Hungarian enterprise with a strong international presence, and there are only a few companies like this in the country.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
Formerly, I couldn’t find a workplace that offered both an excellent team and an interesting job. NNG meets both expectations. I am surrounded by interesting and helpful people with a good sense of humor, and automotive built-in navigation is a whole new area that we are exploring together.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
I mainly give support to project managers in maintaining customer relations, organizing workflows and keeping an eye on deadlines. There are plenty of challenges; every day has something new to offer. Although I worked in IT before, I wasn’t involved in navigation; so first I needed to get familiar with the programs NNG’s developers use. But I managed to learn everything quickly, and after a couple of months I took over some tasks that went beyond the regular responsibilities of a project assistant.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer must have?
Developers need outstanding technological skills, but every applicant is expected to have some experience gained in the field of information technology. Great emphasis is laid on languages: for instance, I actively use my English knowledge on a daily basis, as I regularly communicate with international clients. Soft skills are also important to show how well a developer can communicate with testers and project managers, how reliable they are, and how well they can fit in a given team.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I work in an excellent team of interesting people with extensive professional skills and experience, who I can learn a lot from. My days are busy and full of challenges, and I can make use of my English knowledge.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I had been working here for about two months when my superior went on a two-week vacation leaving parts of the ongoing projects to me. At first I felt as if I’d been thrown in at the deep end, but all of my colleagues were so patient and helpful that with their help, I managed to keep everything under control.

Peter, Senior Programmer, Common Technology Unit

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?
I joined the company in 2006; a friend of mine pointed out a vacant position that was being advertised on NNG’s website. Two developers conducted my job interview, which was unusually informal. I haven’t seen anything like it anywhere else. I was also interested in the job because there are only a few companies in Hungary that provide similar innovative technological solutions.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
I like it here because I can work on interesting projects in a friendly environment. I think my creativity is appreciated, and we all have the opportunity to create something new. This often means that we replace an existing solution with something faster and more efficient. For instance, we optimize a program so that it requires less storage space and runs on lower-end hardware as well.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
As a member of the Common Technology Unit I am responsible for supporting the other development teams and making their work more efficient. Currently, I am working on a system that enables developers to check each others’ source codes through an integrated web-based system, that is, they can carry out code reviews. This solution allows us to filter out bugs and errors.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG developer must have?
Primarily, they have to be smart and hard-working. In addition, they should show interest in new technologies. They have to be thoroughly familiar with a given area, rather than having only general and superficial knowledge.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The fact that I can implement my own ideas as well, which I can do my own way. If an idea comes into my mind, I can discuss it with my superior, and if he likes it as well, I will be given the necessary time to put it into practice, along with performing my regular tasks.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I headed the visualization team for nearly 4 years. It was our team that developed the 3D visualization of the iGO My way software, which was a standalone solution in the navigation industry at that time. I don’t think many developers can say that much about their achievements.

Gergő – Trainee, Content QA Team

How did you join NNG? What was it that caught your interest?
I was looking for a trainee position at the BME Job Fair when I found NNG’s booth. As I have always been interested in GPS navigation, the company aroused my interest. We started to talk, and I really liked the job opportunities NNG offered to trainees. I especially liked the fact that they put great emphasis on professional development and they also provide you with all the help you may need.

Why do you think NNG is an exceptional work place? Why do you like working here?
I have learned plenty of new things, and the supportive working environment and helpful colleagues have played a key role in this. I like the fact that, despite the wide variety of tasks I have to perform, my job is not stressful, and we don’t find ourselves in conflict situations either. This is also true when we are under pressure. This is possible because we think and handle the problems together. I find it especially good that I can ask for help any time I’m stuck or have a question. In brief, I like the teamwork, the working environment and the variety of the tasks here, and I like the fact that together we always solve every problem.

What kind of tasks and challenges do you face day by day and where can you see the results of your work?
I’m a content QA trainee in NNG’s Content QA team. My responsibilities include running qualitative and quantitative tests and developing automatic tools to carry out the latter. My job is extremely varied; I am involved in several projects at the same time. I have to perform different tasks every week. This is good because I face new challenges on a weekly basis, and I can’t say that my job is monotonous. The results of the automatic testing help us find out what needs to be further developed and improved. With my work, I can support several other teams, and the results can be detected in the continuous quality improvement of the map database: more precise algorithms for route calculation and a better POI database.

What kind of professional and other competences do you think an NNG QA specialist must have?
I think the primary requirement is a sound and thorough knowledge of the given programming language (e.g. C++, Python). If you have a firm foundation, you can develop quickly. I also find it important that the programmer is creative and open-minded, keeps track of technological innovations, and feels motivation for continuous learning and professional development.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the variety of my job the most. I’ve already mentioned that I face new challenges on a regular basis and, luckily, my job is not monotonous at all. I find room for development in every new task and challenge, which I quite enjoy. I like working in a team and the fact that we jointly create something complete. I especially like the informal and friendly atmosphere prevailing in our everyday work.

What are you especially proud of in your career at NNG?
I’m proud of the fact that my work is recognized and I have the opportunity to make my own decisions in the latest projects. I’m also proud that although I’m a trainee, I can take part in the designing phase as well.