Research and Development
Market lead as a result of innovation, sustainability and experience
The development of navigation software in the research & development area is multi-faceted work with a future. It covers different areas of operation within the broad spectrum of information technology.
For example, the assignments include data preparation in order to draw up NAVIGON's own map format, as well as designing and implementing software on various platforms. Internal and external research projects facilitate the implementation of conceptual and innovative themes, for example, the development of a new map format or system-supported route calculation.
One special area that the research department focuses on is in the automotive business segment: NAVIGON is an innovative partner in EU-sponsored projects aimed at the future, such as ActMAP and MAPS&ADAS (more information on these can be found as http://www.ertico.com). In this research field, map-supported driver assistance systems and innovative concepts for embedding software components in telematics and mulitmedia platforms undergo continual development.
The detailed and comprehensive quality assurance at NAVIGON is also conducted in the research & development area.
Vision and idea
NAVIGON's development department's overall idea is to create software that will be used over the long term, that can be expanded and that can be used on different platforms. Each and every developer combines different roles for the ongoing work process in his or her function, and has the opportunity of further developing or changing this regularly.
Organizing the very different projects is a large challenge: requirements that change rapidly or new requirements require a great deal of flexibility in thought and action.
Organizing the very different projects is a large challenge: requirements that change rapidly or new requirements require that a great deal of flexibility in thought and action is shown by all team members: software architects, analysts, integrators, testers and implementers.
The daily work
A software engineer's day-to-day work means more than just developing new functionalities or algorithms; he or she must optimize both the software architecture and code equally for permanence. The daily work of each employee is characterized by a mutual, constructive challenge: a structured and guided approach and comparison with all other NAVIGON developers, competitors' products and new technologies. This calls for team spirit: in order to meet these challenges, good teamwork, both personally and professionally, on the part of the developers is of fundamental significance. Good communication with colleagues is just as much a part of this as is the ability to stand up to pressure or stress situations.
Selection and assignments
When selecting applicants, NAVIGON Inc. values team skills, a willingness to share knowledge and openness for life-long learning as much as it does technical qualifications. Teams are mixed and matched over and over, depending on the requirements. Assignments range from individual one-person projects to pair programming, to project teams in which up to 10 employees work together. At the same time, it is important to organize access to source files that are changed together, so that it is efficient and meaningful.
Already specialists on the first day?
NAVIGON employees prove their technical knowledge daily in practice.
Each employee has acquired knowledge and experience over the years. This knowledge is furthered by theoretical training and selective internal training in seminars and conferences. All employees are guaranteed the opportunity to further develop their professional skills. In this way, each NAVIGON employee learns to act independently on his or her own responsibility, one step at a time.
New blood and promotion
NAVIGON is very devoted to the field's young members. NAVIGON provides training to many computer scientists and maintains close contact to universities and colleges. NAVIGON routinely offers internships and selective support for diploma theses. The range of topics here extends from theoretical works on software process improvement, design and implementation of new software modules to examinations of quality assurance.
