Working at Ericsson's R&D Center in Łódź, Poland

Working at one of Ericsson’s largest European Research & Development centers

The Research and Development Centers in Łódź and Kraków are the two largest Ericsson R&D centers in Europe, with over 1,700 employees. The centers consist of a diverse group of colleagues, from people who are just starting their career in telecommunications to those with decades of experience. Everyone brings their own perspective and passion to Ericsson.

Meet some of our colleagues who are making a difference to the future of telecommunications and find out what it’s like working here.

What is it like to work at our largest R&D centers in Europe?

The working environment at the centers is very open and collaborative, great for helping us do our best work. Katarzyna joined Ericsson over eight years ago and is currently a senior software developer, she says that working at Ericsson in R&D in Poland feels like working for a “big company with a small company feel.”

As we work using agile methodologies, we know how important the ability to cooperate is. Our employees can count on each other and support each other in their daily duties. We work in close-knit teams in which people not only work together but also develop and grow together.

Maciej, a Senior Software Developer Master based in the Łódź center, believes that “it’s a very collaborative and friendly environment” which makes working at Ericsson R&D special and is one of the main reasons why he has been at Ericsson for over 14 years now.

What does it mean do be a developer here?

The work we are doing in R&D in the telecoms industry is extremely important to improving the ability for people to communicate and interact with each other. It has a profound impact on the connectivity of the world, especially with the development of 5G. Filip, Software Developer and Product Guardian, explains that “Ericsson allows you to develop interesting products that change the world…The work that I do is meaningful.” Mikolaj, a Junior Software Developer Trainee says that he especially likes that “I get to see the impact on the final product.”

In addition, being a developer in R&D Poland is not just a job, and it’s not just to help improve the world. It’s also about personal growth; growing as a software developer. Even though we are a global company, we take an individual approach to each other’s professional development so that we can become better software developers.

Many colleagues start at Ericsson as interns who then become permanent members of the team, like Aneta, a Software Developer, who shares her story: “My adventure with Ericsson started in 2013 with a summer internship. Both the period of apprenticeship and later work is primarily a time of technical development, but also of teamwork skills. The company offers many career paths, so even if someone is not passionate about programming, but is close to IT or telecommunications, they will find a place for themselves here. New people undergo a series of trainings and work under the supervision of mentors. Thanks to this, the implementation into the realities of work becomes easier.”

What’s the everyday like?

We work on a range of projects with colleagues around the world and with a wide spectrum of technologies – 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G; and languages – C++, Java, Python, Perl, Bash, JavaScript, Erlang, C#, SQL, .Net.

Depending on whom you talk to, projects can range from 3G and Radio Network Controllers like Maciej who works in Business Networks and Traffic Control, to projects like Katarzyna’s which involves working on 5G and C++, to Mikolaj’s 4G R&D project.

We work in a very open environment in which we give our colleagues freedom to express their ideas, accompanied by support from managers, and parts of our daily work include helping on each other’s projects. Everyone is free to ask questions or give another perspective, Katarzyna says “I am free to ask questions and propose ideas.”

Another aspect of everyday life is training. Marta, a Junior Software Developer in Łódź, says one of the things Ericsson offers that other companies do not is the breadth of training. She shares: “Ericsson cares about employees. Trainings and workshops are professional and complex. What is more, after your work, this company gives you opportunity to learn even more… you can learn for yourself to be better programmer.”

What else does the team get up to outside work?

Outside of day-to-day work, we spend time doing the things we love together and are very active in the local community. There are groups such as “Alt” Mountain Club and Cyclists’ Society where colleagues of similar interests can share their passions. We also take part in regular charity events like the bicycle rally where colleagues cycle between our Kraków and Łódź offices for charity. This has been an annual event since 2011.

The future of Ericsson R&D in Poland

The R&D centers in Łódź and Kraków have not stopped expanding, such is the need for further development of telecommunications that we are expecting to hire another 350 people in the next couple years to join the team. There is a lot more to come from us!

You could be part of the team too, find out more about Careers in Poland.