Ben Nave is looking for a path.
As a creator and platform architect, he thinks a lot about the future. What do customers need tomorrow? What does the world need next?
When it’s time to plot the course, that’s when the process of discovery becomes innovation.
“A lot of what I do is being comfortable with uncertainty,” said Ben. He acknowledges that ambiguity can be hard for engineers who by nature are careful, methodical discoverers.
“My job allows me to look forward, to embrace a vision for what can be, and to use experimentation, data-driven decisions and collaboration with domain experts to go from concept to reality,” Ben said. “That type of culture is rare. Every day, I value it more.”
Every decision is a balance of risk and reward, of weighing possibilities with the limits of knowledge and pushing those limits further.
Creativity is a Catalyst
When Ben graduated with an electrical engineering degree, he didn’t realize how important company culture would be to his success. After working in different environments, he returned to the company that offered him experience as a co-op student.
“Once I didn’t have it, I realized how much it meant to work for a company that uses creativity as a catalyst, that encourages experimentation and taking risks to confidently champion new ways of doing things,” he said. “There’s no room for ‘it’s always been done this way’ when you are working with technology that’s changing by the minute, in a world that needs our best ideas to create new innovations that change how we work, how we live and how things get made.”
Rather than competing, Ben advises early career professionals to look for a company where people help each other become better at whatever they are doing.
“That atmosphere resonated with me,” Ben said. “From my first interview through all of my projects, my colleagues are eager to share information and knowledge. There’s respect for how things have been done and always a search for how to do things better.”
Steady Stream of Fresh Ideas
Ben is at his best when he’s working with others – together in a room or virtually – bouncing ideas off of each other and building on a steady stream of fresh ideas.
“There’s no way to describe just how powerful it is when you are creating,” he said. “There’s so much energy when you are imagining what can be, listening and thinking, then freely sharing your ideas so others can build on those. I’m watching in real time how we are creating new products that will make the world work better and expand human possibility.”
Knowing that his work impacts real people in the real world, Ben is thankful that every day he is tackling problems that require persistence, curiosity and an approach to innovation that’s constantly evolving.
“New employees notice the ways we look out for each other as we work together,” Ben said. “That’s who we are. Everything starts with the connections we make to each other. In my current project, one of our highest priorities is to help other teams do what they do best. Soon, we will realize the creation of products that never before existed, to address challenges customers will face in the coming months and years.”
Technology Stack Creates Buzz
While Ben does not know what he’ll discover next, he knows the company has the technology stack to support his team’s steadfast pursuit of what’s new.
“I am working with people energized by our technology,” he said. “There’s deep passion for how we can use this technology to support future products and systems, things that right now are theoretical but someday, we will make real."
You Are Welcome Here
Crucial to Ben’s early career success was the buddy system – every new engineer is paired with a technical mentor for guidance and support.
“It’s encouraging to start with an immediate connection to someone who has your best interest as a priority,” Ben said. “I work with people who press into technology and seek progress – not perfection. We share best practices because we are open to change and innovation.”
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