Atiku Bugaje

Atiku joined EMP Designs in January 2025 as a graduate engineer and has quickly become an integral part of the R&D team. Working across software, electronics, hardware, and proof-of-concept development, he enjoys the challenge of solving complex problems and helping turn ideas into working products.

 

Tell us about your role at EMP Designs.

I'm primarily an Embedded Software Engineer, although at EMP that often means much more than just writing software. Most of my work revolves around solving problems. Usually, I'll arrive in the morning already thinking about a challenge I've been working on and with an idea I'd like to try. The day then becomes about testing, refining, and figuring things out. A lot of what I do is software-based, but software rarely exists in isolation. The projects we work on involve hardware, electronics, and sometimes even mechanical systems, so you often find yourself working across multiple disciplines. One day you might be writing code, the next you could be helping to solve a hardware issue or testing a proof of concept. The exciting part is that every day starts with a problem to solve, and by the end of the day you've usually made progress or found a solution. Of course, as soon as one problem is solved, another one appears, but that's what keeps the role interesting.

 

What has been your most interesting project so far?

Without doubt, the Proxisense project. It was the first major project I became involved with, and what's interesting is that it has grown alongside my own development as an engineer. When I first started working on it, it was a relatively simple demonstration board and very much aligned with the skills I had at the time. As the project evolved and became more complex, I was able to bring in knowledge and experience I had gained from other projects and apply it to new challenges. The project has continually stretched me without becoming overwhelming. As my technical abilities improved, the project presented new opportunities to develop further. It also allowed me to become involved in areas beyond engineering, including client communication and project management. One of the most rewarding aspects is that I've been involved from the initial concept all the way through to deployment with the client. Seeing a project progress through every stage of development gives you a real sense of ownership and achievement.

 

What has surprised you most about working at EMP Designs?

There are probably two things. The first is how quickly the company embraces new technology. It's not unusual to be discussing an idea and wondering whether a particular solution exists, only for someone to pull a board or prototype out of a drawer and say, "We've already experimented with that." There's always new technology being explored, new development kits being tested, and new ideas being investigated. It feels like the company is constantly moving forward and staying at the forefront of what's possible. The second thing is the people. Everyone genuinely enjoys what they do, and I think that creates a very positive environment. People are enthusiastic about technology and engineering, and that naturally leads to a workplace where there's a lot of humour, collaboration, and energy. You don't often find that combination in many companies.

 

How would you describe the team culture?

The culture is incredibly supportive. People are always happy to answer questions and share their knowledge. What I really enjoy is that conversations often become collaborative discussions. You might ask one person a question, and before long several people are contributing ideas and suggestions. It's a very nurturing environment for anyone who enjoys learning. What's also nice is that everyone is encouraged to contribute, regardless of experience level. There have been times when someone more senior has asked me a question, and it reminds you that everyone brings something valuable to the team.

 

Do you have a favourite moment from your time at EMP Designs?

I actually have two. The first was the moment I was trusted to take ownership of a software project from scratch. Up until that point, I assumed my role was to complete tasks that were assigned to me. Suddenly I was given a brief and asked to determine the solution myself. It was a significant shift in mindset and gave me a lot of confidence. It made me realise that engineering here isn't simply about working through a task list. It's about figuring out what needs to happen next and taking responsibility for finding the best solution. The second favourite moment is probably learning that mistakes are viewed as part of the process. Naturally, everyone remembers their own mistakes, but what surprised me was how openly people discuss them. Rather than hiding errors, people laugh about them and share what they learned. It creates an environment where you're not afraid to experiment and take ownership because everyone understands that mistakes are often part of solving difficult problems.

 

What are some of the words you would use to describe EMP Designs?

Adaptable. Curious. Family. Adaptable because the team is always willing to tackle something new, even if it's outside our previous experience. Curious because everyone genuinely wants to understand how things work and how they can be improved. And family because there's a real sense of support and camaraderie throughout the company.

 

What kind of people succeed at EMP Designs?

Curious people. Technical ability is important, but curiosity is what drives everything else. If you're naturally interested in understanding how things work and enjoy learning new skills, you'll fit in well here. The environment encourages exploration and problem-solving, and curiosity helps you make the most of those opportunities.

 

What excites you most about the future of the company?

The potential. One of the things I enjoy most about EMP Designs is that we're not limited to a single industry or type of product. We focus on solving problems, and that means there's always an opportunity to work on something completely new. The company has an incredibly capable team and a huge range of skills. As we continue to grow and take on new projects, I'm excited to see where that leads. Personally, I'd also like to become more involved in building relationships with new clients and helping identify opportunities where we can collaborate and solve interesting engineering challenges.

 

How much freedom do you have to experiment and prototype?

Quite a lot. Experimentation is a big part of how we work. It's common to explore ideas that aren't directly related to the immediate project because those investigations often lead to valuable knowledge that can be applied elsewhere later. Over time, you build up a mental library of technologies, techniques, and solutions that can be used when new challenges arise. That freedom to explore is one of the things I enjoy most about working here.

 

Finally, what keeps you motivated?

The opportunity to learn. Every project introduces something new, whether that's a technology, a process, or a completely different way of approaching a problem. The variety means you're constantly developing new skills, and that's what keeps the role interesting. There's always another challenge waiting to be solved, and that's what makes coming to work each day exciting.