Martyna’s Journey to Leadership

• 12 July 2024
• News

Meet Martyna, an Engineering Manager at TWD, who moved from Poland to the Netherlands for what began as a temporary work adventure and turned into a new home. She powered through the typical self-doubt of a recent graduate in their early career. Inspired by seeing her colleagues succeed, feeling trusted by her leads and setting high goals for herself, she grew through a variety of roles that built her confidence and skillset. Now, she is happy to lead impactful projects that contribute to the energy transition, support junior development and to call the Netherlands her forever home.

After graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in my home country of Poland, I arrived to the Netherlands in 2013 looking for a new adventure, without intentions to stay permanently. The Offshore Wind and Marine Civils industry was completely new for me, so I applied for a different position instead of Engineer. To my surprise, the senior leader who interviewed me recognized my engineering capabilities, and encouraged me to join TWD as an Engineer. The friendly and open conversation, free from the hierarchical constraints I was used to in Poland, was an eye-opener, showing me that a more empowering work culture was possible.

Being a woman in engineering, we can often face extra barriers and need to work harder than male peers to prove ourselves. It was refreshing to see that the reality at TWD is different. Everyone is treated equally and recognized for the unique perspective they bring to the table.

During my early days at TWD, I faced a steep learning curve. This included not only navigating a new job, language, and work culture but also learning the ins and outs of method engineering and equipment design in multiple industries. Nevertheless, during my first year, I got a good hand at engineering.

Once my engineering skills were solid, I was given the opportunity to develop into a Project Responsible role. This exposed me to managing technically demanding and larger scale Offshore Wind projects, often with the challenge of tight timeframes. It was exciting to have more close contact with senior engineers and lead client negotiations. On the other hand, it was scary to be the face of the company to our client in my early career days, being the main person accountable for any delays or mistakes. These feelings of insecurity could’ve set me back, but TWD’s culture kept me powering through every challenge and helped me gain confidence from each success. TWD’s inspiring colleagues, the trust of my lead and the strong collaborative environment were key aspects for my development. 

At this point, the welcoming environment and the warm connection I developed with my colleagues started making me feel like the Netherlands could be less of a temporary adventure and more of a permanent home. As TWD expanded with more colleagues and bigger projects, an internal opportunity of a Lead Engineer role arose. Having set high goals for myself by working hard and utilizing my new skillset in negotiation and client communications, I was trusted to take the next step of development in this direction. The transition to Lead Engineer allowed me to develop skills in team leadership for a variety of Offshore Wind projects and on multiple teams. I worked in this role for 3 more years before I went on maternity leave.

Upon my return, I was given the opportunity to further develop in my career in a new role. I considered both the Technical Advisor and the Engineering Manager roles and was able to take my time to decide which one suited me best. The freedom to experiment with different projects helped me better understand my strengths and how I could add the most value to TWD. Realizing a natural calling to manage projects and support junior development, I chose to become an Engineering Manager. During this role, I learned how TWD harnesses the power of diversity within our teams. By working together, we become aware of each other’s abilities and combine them to fit the skills needed for each project. It’s like fitting together pieces of a puzzle. We utilize people’s skills to compose teams that enable everyone to excel on their own path.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue growing alongside the company, sharing my experiences and tackling the challenges that come with a growing company. I’m driven by a personal commitment to make the world a better place, in my professional life and as a mother. I believe in the impact of our work, and I’m motivated by our contribution to the energy transition. I want to help undo the environmental impacts of previous generations. Our company philosophy of “Making Construction Easier” resonates with my own minimalist lifestyle—always aiming to simplify, optimize, and make smart choices. In this, I find true fulfilment, knowing my personal values are aligned with TWD’s and calling the Netherlands my home.

To end my story, I’d like to encourage women in engineering and management to believe in themselves and aim high. Don’t be afraid to share your achievements and vulnerabilities and stay reliable, responsible and ambitious. Rest assured, you will be a great inspiration to yourself and others.

Are you inspired to experience the collaborative culture that helped Martyna in her path to leadership? Explore our vacancy page and apply!