Moving from India to Croatia for a Job at dSPACE

A young IT professional from India recently made a life-changing decision - to move to Croatia to work. In an interview, we bring you her story and experience of working so far away from home.

Introduce yourself and describe the career path that led you to dSPACE in Zagreb, Croatia.

My name is Meghana Bhaskara, and I am a software testing professional. I was born and raised in Bengaluru, which is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India. After completing my master’s in computer application, I started my career in an Indian automotive company that was using dSPACE products, so I was always associated with dSPACE since the start of my career.

However, after two years, the project ended, and I was moved to a different project. When I heard that dSPACE was looking for software testers for their new product, I was excited to take on this opportunity to work with a company that I admire, even though it meant moving to a whole new country.

The hardest part was leaving my family and everything I knew behind, but the company and the people were very supportive and made the transition much smoother for me. I am now working for dSPACE in Zagreb, Croatia, and I look forward to continuing my career in software testing with this great company.

dSPACE has numerous hardware and software products. Which are the products you contribute with your know-how?

In terms of the products offered by dSPACE, my main focus is on Aurelion, a tool for sensor-realistic simulation and testing of advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving applications. However, I also provide support and maintenance for MotionDesk and SensorSim as these products are set to be fully replaced by Aurelion.

How are these products used by dSPACE customers?

dSPACE AURELION is a simulation tool that provides sensor-realistic simulation for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving applications. In real life, AURELION is used by automotive manufacturers and suppliers to simulate various driving scenarios and test the performance of ADAS and autonomous driving systems in a safe and controlled environment. The tool allows users to create highly realistic virtual environments that include various types of road and traffic conditions, weather patterns, and lighting conditions.

AURELION can simulate the behavior of sensors such as cameras, lidar, radar, and ultrasonic sensors helping validation of ADAS and autonomous driving systems which can help manufacturers evaluate the performance of their systems in various scenarios, test different control algorithms, and identify potential issues before the systems are deployed on road.

In addition to automotive applications, AURELION can also be used in other industries such as robotics, aerospace, and defense to simulate and test various systems in a safe and controlled environment. The tool can help manufacturers reduce development costs and time-to-market while ensuring the safety and reliability of their systems.

What is your role in the development process and what is your area of responsibility?

My role in the development process is primarily focused on software testing and managing the continuous integration and deployment pipelines using Microsoft Azure Pipelines service.

My responsibilities include designing, executing, and analyzing test cases, reporting and tracking defects, and collaborating with the development team to ensure high-quality software. I am also responsible for creating and maintaining the YAML codebase for the CI/CD pipelines, debugging any issues that arise, and ensuring smooth integration with the rest of the development workflow and successful software releases.

In addition, I also work on customer support cases related to MotionDesk and SensorSim. As part of customer support responsibilities, I assist users with troubleshooting technical issues, providing guidance on product features and functionality, and helping to identify and report software defects. This can involve collaborating closely with the development team to reproduce and diagnose issues, as well as keeping customers informed of progress and updates.

How would you describe the experience of living and working in Croatia?

Living and working in Croatia has been an incredible experience for me. The people here are extremely friendly and welcoming, which has made the transition so much easier. Additionally, since English is widely spoken, I had no problem communicating with my colleagues and settling in.

The support I received from my colleagues at dSPACE was exceptional, and it made me feel like I had been working here for years. Their kindness and willingness to help made me feel right at home, and I never experienced any feelings of homesickness. I have truly enjoyed my work here, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a great team.

In business manner what do you find the biggest difference compared to India?

From my experience working in both India and Croatia, one of the most significant differences that I have noticed is the level of transparency in work and the accessibility of higher management. In Croatia, I have found that there is a greater degree of transparency and accountability in the workplace. Additionally, I have found that there is more opportunity to communicate directly with higher management if needed.

In contrast, in India, there is often a more hierarchical system in place, and communication with higher management can be very limited. Another benefit of working in Croatia is the significantly reduced commuting time. This has allowed me to have more time for personal and to maintain a better balance between work and my personal life.