Welcome to our “A day in the life” blog series offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how specialists across Pwrteams work, collaborate and solve problems. Each interview focuses on a different role, walking you through the daily routines, challenges and accomplishments of our colleagues.
For this chapter, we’re heading to our Kraków office to meet Patryk Łyko, who leads and works alongside the Besix dedicated team. His day moves between building SCADA solutions for bridges and tunnels in Belgium, supporting his engineers and keeping the team spirit strong - often over a cup of Yerba Mate.
Here’s a closer look at his career path, daily routines and what he enjoys most about his work.
Previously, after graduating, I worked for a small automation company that focused on running large production lines in the automotive and aviation industries (like Mercedes or Airbus). This job was very exciting, but unfortunately, it required frequent and long stays abroad, so, looking for more stability, I decided to change my job and work locally.
Initially, I was hired for the Besix team at Pwrteams as an Automation Engineer working mostly with PLC and SCADA systems, but after a year or two, the company decided that they needed someone from the team in Poland to share his engineering responsibilities with team leader’s work, and they chose me.
The first thing I do when I get to the office is make some Yerba Mate (I'm a huge fan!), then we can start the day. Most of my time (about 80%) is spent on engineering, so I participate in activities like developing SCADA systems for industrial clients in Belgium.
As Automation Engineers at Besix, our job is to create environments for operating/moving bridges, river locks or tunnels. So, for example, if an operator presses a button on a panel, the bridge will raise.
The rest of the time, I spend in individual or group meetings with the team to better understand their needs and current work situation, learn from them about what can be improved and simply listen to their voices.
I think cooperation with Belgian colleagues during commissioning is the most exciting and is my favourite part of what we are doing here. It's the moment when you feel that what we've developed is becoming part of the infrastructure in Belgium.
As a team leader, I really enjoy organising and participating in afternoon outings, whether with a Polish or Polish-Belgian group, where you can get to know the more relaxed side of your colleagues.
Our projects are very big, and it can take a very long time before you're able to see the result of your efforts. Taking such a project from start to finish with countless reworks from the client can be quite a challenge.
I think with every project or task I learn something new. For example, previously, my work was not so much related to SCADA, which is a big part of my job right now.
Furthermore, all my team leader activities allow me to improve my communication, time management and organisational skills.
Our Besix team in the Kraków office is fantastic! Each of these people, their sense of humour and the conversations they share over lunch make you want to come to the office every day.
Plus, projects that allow you to travel to Belgian cities and see the results of your work are the icing on the cake.
I think it's the same with being part of every family - the people. You can't underestimate the influence of the people around you, and the people around us at the Pwrteams office are the best! ;) And birthday sweets… yes, these are great too!
Interested in working alongside passionate professionals such as Patryk? Check out our current vacancies and be sure to apply.