Welcome to the newest edition of our “A day in the life” blog series, where we take you behind the scenes of the roles, routines and experiences of the professionals working at Pwrteams. In each interview, we spotlight a specific position and a person behind it, offering an authentic look at what their work is really like.
This time, we spoke with Zlatin Kostov, a Senior Android Engineer at News UK Tech’s dedicated team at Pwrteams Bulgaria. Having joined just a few months ago, Zlatin gives a fresh perspective on the team’s culture, ways of working and everyday collaboration. He talked about how new ideas are welcomed, how support is shared and what it’s like to settle into a senior role within a growing tech team.
Read on to discover what Zlatin’s workday looks like, what motivates him and the challenges he tackles along the way.
Before becoming an Android developer, I worked as a Systems and Network Engineer for 10 years. This gave me a strong foundation across a wide range of technologies and helped me develop solid problem-solving skills. That background still drives how I approach engineering today, particularly when it comes to system thinking, reliability and debugging.
As an Android engineer, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several product-led companies, including GSK, Tide Banking, ProSieben and Indeed. These roles allowed me to gain experience across different domains, team structures and development practices.
I joined the News UK Tech team five months ago as a Senior Android Engineer, where I continue to build high-quality products while supporting the wider team.
I usually start my day by checking messaging, email and system notifications to identify any priority items that need attention. After that, I create a clear plan for the tasks and tickets I aim to complete during the day.
Before diving into my own work, I spend some time reviewing open pull requests. This helps unblock other team members early and supports smoother collaboration across the team.
We follow standard Agile ceremonies, so depending on the day, my schedule can range from just the daily stand-up to several meetings. I’m also involved in 3As (Three Amigos) sessions, where business requirements, design and development come together. I find these meetings particularly valuable, as they help shape upcoming work and ensure clarity before implementation, so I try to be proactive and contribute as much as possible.
As a senior engineer, supporting other team members is also an important part of my role, whether that’s through code reviews, discussions or general guidance throughout the day.
When possible, focused coding time is my favourite part of the day. I also really value our Friday dev time dedicated to self-learning, which I use to explore new technologies and stay up to date with the latest Android trends and developments.
I enjoy spending focused time coding and debugging on my own, but also sharing my knowledge with others. Helping teammates understand a problem or a solution pushes me to think more deeply and make sure I really understand it myself. That balance between individual focus and collaboration is what I enjoy most.
The timing made things interesting. I joined the News UK Tech team right before a major app rewrite was about to begin. The biggest challenge was helping shape the new architecture while still learning the product domain.
That’s where the team really supported me, they shared valuable insights, previous learnings and what hadn’t worked in the past. Together, we were able to design an architecture that is simple to use and maintain, while also being robust and future-proof.
It’s still early to say exactly what new skills I’ve picked up in the last five months. But I’ve noticed a big difference in how much I can share ideas and help shape the work. In my previous role, my work was more focused on one area, so it’s been great to have more freedom to contribute and work with the whole team.
Being part of the News UK Tech team is great because the team is highly collaborative and supportive. From day one, I’ve felt welcomed and encouraged to share ideas, ask questions and make a real impact on the project. The team values clear and open communication and everyone is willing to help each other grow.
When the Pwrteams Talent Acquisition team first contacted me, I immediately felt welcomed and supported. The People & Culture team has been incredibly easy to work with and always ready to help, which made the onboarding process smooth and stress-free.
Overall, what I value most about being part of the Pwrteams family is the strong sense of community and the genuine support I receive from everyone in the company.
Zlatin’s story highlights what it’s like to join a new team, bring a fresh perspective and grow within a collaborative and supportive environment.
If his journey resonates with you and you’d like to work on meaningful products with supportive, experienced teams, we’re always looking for talented professionals to join us. Explore our current job opportunities and see where a career at Pwrteams could take you.