Bíborka Kaszás: sometimes quick decisions simply require good old common sense
The engineering profession is far more than a series of technological challenges - it is equally about people and the diversity of ways we think. The presence of women in industry enriches our work with valuable perspectives. Our colleague, Bíborka Kaszás, was interviewed in GyártásTrend’s Talented Women in Industry series about her career path, her decisions, and the unique aspects of the engineering field.
In our Talented Women in Industry series, supported by the Bosch Group in Hungary, we introduce Bíborka Kaszás, who has been working as a software engineer at evosoft for four years. We spoke to her about career growth, life in an industrial environment, and the responsibilities that come with being an engineer.
GyártásTrend: What motivated you in choosing your career path?
Bíborka Kaszás: As a child, I spent far more time fixing cars and bicycles with my dad than helping my mom in the kitchen, so it quickly became clear that I would pursue an engineering career. The real question was which field to choose. With my parents’ guidance, I eventually decided on electrical engineering at the University of Miskolc, as it’s one of the broadest engineering programmes – covering everything from IT to high‑voltage power systems.
In secondary school, I attended a 4+1-year preparatory programme specialized in English. I earned my language exam before starting university and could fully focus on my professional studies. I graduated as an electrical engineer with a specialization in electronic design and manufacturing.
Bíborka Kaszás, software engineer at evosoft
GyT: How did you enter the profession?
B. K.: I began working while still at university because I wanted to become independent as soon as possible. My first student job was with the MOL Petrochemistry back‑office team, where I got my first real experience of what it’s like to work in an industrial environment and as part of a team. Even though the role wasn’t directly related to my field, I took it seriously, and they never treated me as ‘just’ a student.
B. K.: Later, I worked at Jabil in Tiszaújváros, starting in the maintenance department. That’s where I learned how to react quickly to unexpected situations, and I realized how much serious coordination can lie behind something that seems minor at first glance. From there, I transferred internally to the test engineering team, where I could take on more specialized, technical tasks. I consider myself very lucky – I was surrounded by excellent teams in both roles.
GyT: What does a test engineer do?
B. K.: At its core, testing is all about ensuring quality. A test engineer plays a role like that of a quality inspector: they catch potential issues before the product ever reaches the customer.
GyT: Did you have a mentor?
B. K.: I didn’t have an official mentor, but there were always colleagues, supervisors, and friends around me whose guidance helped me move forward. I owe them a great deal.
„To ensure that every employee can confidently use digital technologies, we’ve launched a comprehensive development programme.”
GyT: Why is this role challenging?
B. K.: Anyone who has worked in manufacturing – especially in the automotive industry – knows how quickly decisions need to be made and how often you must collaborate with everyone from line operators to top management. These are things university can’t truly prepare you for. Working alongside experienced colleagues, you often must rely on common sense to make responsible decisions.
GyT: What should we know about evosoft?
B. K.: evosoft is fully owned by Siemens and forms part of the Siemens Foundational Technologies Development organization. Our parent company is evosoft GmbH, with whom we celebrated our 30th anniversary last year. Our focus is the development, automation, and testing of Siemens’ industrial automation systems – including PLCs, IoT‑based solutions, and embedded systems.
What started as a small team has now grown into a company of over 1,800 employees, headquartered in Budapest with two additional sites in Miskolc and Szeged.
GyT: What new technological developments are underway?
B. K.: Digitalization and artificial intelligence are not only fundamental to how we operate but also key strategic pillars for us. One of our main goals is to ensure that every employee can confidently use digital technologies, so we’ve launched a comprehensive development program to support this. AI is appearing in more of our products and innovations. In fact, two of our AI‑based ideas recently won awards in the Siemens Transformation Award programme.
GyT: What are the pros and cons of working for a large corporation?
B. K.: The biggest advantage of multinational companies is stability. Even in uncertain economic conditions, they offer a greater sense of security, and if a project ends, they usually try to find another internal position for employees. The downside of working in such a large organization is that you interact with fewer colleagues on a daily basis, as everyone tends to work within their own ‘bubble.’
”Engineering may still be a male‑dominated field, but with dedication, every barrier can be overcome.”
GyT: How would someone outside the industry imagine the work you do here?
B.K.: I’d explain it by comparing it to the relationship between the brain and the muscles. Something very similar must be created – and function – in an industrial environment as well.
The ‘brain’ is the PLC, the programmable logic controller that directs how different machines operate. This is what allows us to control the ‘muscles,’ meaning the drives and motors. Their combined, precise and reliable operation is essential – and it’s our job to test and validate that.
GyT: What makes your work exciting?
B.K.: I’m not limited to working in front of a computer – we have several labs where we test and operate equipment. It’s exciting to see how code turns into a functioning, moving system.
GyT: What motivates you?
B. K.: Testing is far more than simply running tests – it involves debugging, analysis, and close collaboration with developers. That variety is what keeps the work engaging and helps prevent burnout.
GyT: What has been your favourite project so far?
B. K.: Two years ago, we were assigned a major development project that our team tested from start to finish. It was a brand‑new feature full of unknown challenges. Although it required a huge amount of time and energy, it really strengthened collaboration within the team.
GyT: What skills are essential for this profession?
B. K.: Precision, reliability, problem‑solving, flexibility, and strong communication skills are fundamental. And with the world changing so quickly, the ability to adapt has become more important than ever.
GyT: What is your team like?
B. K.: Our team of 30 includes a team manager, a project lead, and four units: three manual testing teams and one automation team. The manual teams work on testing different parts of the software, while the automation team focuses on turning those manual tests into automated ones.
”In the long run, human qualities – openness, teamwork, and reliability – matter just as much as professional expertise.”
GyT: How important is teamwork?
B. K.: It’s absolutely essential. Quality can only be ensured when we share knowledge and experience with one another.
GyT: What matters more: technical expertise or the human side?
B. K.: You need a certain level of technical foundation, of course – but in the long run, the human side is just as important: openness, team spirit, and reliability.
GyT: Have you ever faced discrimination in your profession because you are a woman?
B. K.: Fortunately, I haven’t – but I also wouldn’t limit the issue to women, because unfortunately anyone can become a target. At evosoft, there is a strong focus on ensuring that no employee faces any form of discrimination. We have an active DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) working group as well as an ombuds organization that provides impartial support to colleagues in conflict situations, with a special emphasis on equal and humane treatment.
GyT: How flexible is your job?
B. K.: Flexibility depends more on the company than on the profession itself. At evosoft, it works very well: of course there are deadlines, meetings, and tasks that must be completed on time, but I’ve never once been told I couldn’t go to an important medical appointment that was only available during working hours.
One of evosoft’s five core values is care, and fortunately it’s not just a marketing slogan. The company truly puts it into practice in day‑to‑day life.
GyT: What advice would you give to young women starting their careers?
B. K.: Engineering is still a male‑dominated field, but with genuine commitment, there’s no obstacle that can’t be overcome.
GyT: How do you maintain a balance between your personal life and your career?
B. K.: There are definitely more intense periods, but we – both the management and I – pay close attention to maintaining long‑term balance. I don’t think it’s a problem if there’s a week or two that demands more time and energy, as long as it’s followed by a period of recovery. I make sure I don’t push beyond my physical or mental limits, and I only take on extra work in a way that keeps me balanced and well.
My next step is to continue growing both professionally and as a leader.
GyT: What helps you unwind?
B. K.: I used to do orienteering for many years, and I still exercise frequently today. I also try to spend as much time as possible in nature, with family and friends.
GyT: What is the next step for you?
B. K.: For me, the next step is to continue developing both my professional and leadership competencies. I feel motivated and determined to take on new challenges and greater responsibility. I also feel that at evosoft I receive the support I need to grow in this direction.
We also talked about this with Bíborka in an earlier podcast episode – give it a listen:
Women engineers: they did it, and why wouldn't they? — evosoft Hungary Kft.
Feel free to check out the original Hungarian article on GyártásTrend website:
https://gyartastrend.hu/cikk/kaszas-biborka-sokszor-jozan-paraszti-esz-kell-a-gyors-dontesekhez
