I’m Patryk Sniegowski, the Head of Mobile Applications. I’ve been with Metricell since 2017.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I start my day by creating a list of tasks I need to complete and checking my meetings to see if any preparation is required. I then liaise with team members regarding their current workloads.
Once my chamomile tea is ready, I focus on my tasks, which range from feasibility assessments and research to implementing new features, fixing bugs, and refactoring our portfolio of mobile applications.
What are some of the key responsibilities in your role, and what skills or qualities do you think are most important?
I manage the mobile applications team, ensuring we consistently deliver high-quality software promptly. My role involves keeping abreast of the latest technological developments and exploring innovative ways to enhance our products.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, and it's also important to be a good communicator, as the role often requires working closely with multiple departments.
What impact does your work have outside of the business?
Our mobile applications help network operators improve their cellular networks, directly benefiting the public through enhanced connectivity.
Additionally, we lead initiatives such as Stan, an app designed to collect data on road defects and the overall quality of roads, contributing to safer and smoother journeys for everyone.
Is there a part of your role that people might be surprised to learn about?
Before starting my software development career, I couldn't imagine writing code for around seven hours a day. In reality, there's a lot of planning, strategising, and thoughtful consideration involved, which naturally gives my fingers some rest throughout the day.
Can you give an example of a project where you felt your work made a real difference?
A particularly impactful project was launching our app, Network Surveyor, on the Play Store. Seeing it downloaded tens of thousands of times, eventually surpassing 100,000, reinforced the significant positive impact we've made by offering an ad-free, free-to-use app for detailed Wi-Fi and cellular network analysis.
I'm also particularly excited about the upcoming game-changing features in our road quality crowdsourcing app, Stan. It's still early days, but what's coming will significantly raise the bar. Stay tuned for updates!
What do you enjoy most about your role, and what motivates you on a day-to-day basis?
At Metricell, I constantly engage with new and evolving areas of mobile development and wireless communications. I enjoy exploring new mobile operating systems annually and integrating emerging wireless technologies into our products. The introduction of 5G was a particularly memorable milestone that influenced our entire product line.
Seeing tangible results from my work as a mobile developer and collaborating with fantastic colleagues keeps me motivated every day.
Can you share one of your most memorable moments during your time here?
One standout memory is travelling across the UK to locate newly implemented 5G cells, learning firsthand about the new capabilities and data we can gather from mobile phones.
What’s the team dynamic like where you work, and how do you collaborate with others across the business?
Our team is collaborative and supportive. We have a good balance of individual ownership and teamwork, and there's a strong culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. Everyone is approachable, and we work well together to overcome challenges and achieve common goals.
Metricell has a collaborative culture that encourages communication across departments. While many colleagues work in the same office, making in-person discussions easy, we also make great use of online tools to coordinate effectively with our international offices.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? How do you balance work and personal life?
I cherish spending time with my kids, assisting my wife with her allotment, and going out on my bike when I'm lucky with good weather and free time. I'm also an avid reader of Scandinavian crime fiction and always enjoy a good game of chess, provided you're below a 2,000 rating!
I carefully plan my time and practice effective time management to avoid losing sleep over impending deadlines.
What are you most looking forward to in your role this year?
I'm eagerly anticipating new projects on the horizon, particularly the development of new apps, which always adds excitement and diversity to our app portfolio.
If you could share one thing about your job, what would it be?
It's challenging, stimulating, and incredibly rewarding - there's always something new to explore, leaving absolutely no room for boredom.
