Ndustrial Spotlight: Rob Andrews – A Boomerang Story

From Full-Stack Developer to Engineering Manager: My First Stint at Ndustrial

My career at Ndustrial began in 2017, when the company was still small—about 15 people in Durham. I joined as a full-stack web engineer and quickly took on multiple roles and wore many hats as we scaled the function and business, which is common in fast-paced startup environments. After a few years, I transitioned into the role of Engineering Manager, a position I held for nearly a year. However, in early 2020, I made the difficult decision to leave Ndustrial to explore new opportunities.

At the time, I was drawn to the idea of working in video games, an interest I had since childhood. I had worked on several games as a hobby during college and afterward, and I thought a career in gaming would be the next logical step. This interest was reignited when a friend reached out to me about an engineering opportunity in the gaming industry. The offer seemed exciting, so I decided to take the plunge. 

Back Again as a Boomerang

While the work environment in the gaming industry was fast-paced and challenging, I found myself spending the majority of my time managing engineering teams. And while I appreciated the leadership aspect of the role, I missed the hands-on problem-solving and creativity that came with being an engineer. By the end of my time there, I was more focused on management than technical work, which led me to realize that I needed a change.

I kept in touch with Jason Massey, Co-Founder and CEO at Ndustrial during my time away from the company. He actually reached out to me a few times about returning. After a few conversations with him and Laura MacLachlan, Chief People Officer, over coffee, we discussed a staff engineering role, which seemed like a perfect fit and really captured what I was looking for in my next role. What really drew me back to Ndustrial was the more manageable work-life balance, something I was craving after my experience in the gaming industry.

The Draw to Ndustrial: People, Mission, and Impact

Other than the staff engineering position, there were two major factors that led me to return to Ndustrial in 2023: the people and the mission. The culture at Ndustrial has always been something I value, and many of the colleagues I worked with previously were still there when I prepared to return. I missed the collaborative and supportive team members and environment that defines the company. 

One of the most special things about Ndustrial is the incredible team. It’s not just about the talent on the team; it’s the collaborative, supportive environment that makes the work truly rewarding. I’ve always felt that the people at Ndustrial genuinely care about each other’s success, and that fosters an atmosphere where everyone can thrive. The friendships and professional relationships I built here were a big part of why I wanted to come back—there’s a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that’s hard to find.

Additionally, the company’s mission of making a real environmental impact was something that deeply resonated with me. After years of working in the tech industry, I realized that the opportunities to contribute to meaningful causes were far more limited than I expected. Ndustrial, however, stood out as a company that was not only doing innovative work but also having a positive impact on the environment. That alignment with my personal values made the decision to return an easy one.

Innovation, Autonomy, and Creative Problem-Solving

I currently work as a Staff Software Engineer on the Foundry team, which focuses heavily on research and development. Foundry is all about rapid prototyping and experimenting with new ideas and technologies, which I find incredibly exciting. I love that I have the freedom to explore creative solutions and push the boundaries of what’s possible in a collaborative environment.

One of the key aspects of our work is the autonomy we’re given. I work directly with John Crawford, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer who is an amazing leader and excels at framing the problem from the customer’s perspective, then providing us with the space to explore solutions without micromanagement. This approach allows the R&D team to tackle challenges with technical creativity and innovation, which is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job.

Finding Harmony Between Impact and Time

One of the standout benefits of working at Ndustrial is the work-life balance and flexibility that the company offers. As a working parent, being in a role and at a company that allows me to maintain a healthy balance between my professional responsibilities and personal life is crucial. Ndustrial has been incredibly supportive in this regard, enabling me to work a regular schedule while still having time to be present for my family. Whether it’s being able to adjust work hours or take the time needed for family obligations, the culture and leadership team here truly values the personal lives of its team members – it’s clear that the company prioritizes people.

Moreover, despite Ndustrial being a smaller company, it operates at a global scale, which allows us to work on meaningful, impactful projects. It’s the perfect mix of size—small enough for individual contributions to be felt, yet large enough to make a real difference on a global level.

Startup to Scalable Platform

When I first joined Ndustrial in 2017, the team was very small. In fact, we were only about 15 people at the time. Since then, the team has grown significantly, and so has our platform. We’ve matured in many ways—particularly in how we approach product development. The organization of the engineering team and the clarity in product direction has vastly improved, reducing confusion and enabling everyone to work more efficiently toward a common goal.

From Prototype to Product

One of the most challenging parts of my role is transitioning a successful prototype from the R&D phase into a fully realized product. This requires a lot of cross-team collaboration, especially with product and design teams to ensure that the solution meets customer needs and scales effectively. As the team grows, communication becomes increasingly critical, and aligning on use cases and technical requirements can be difficult. However, the product and design teams at Ndustrial are extremely skilled at clarifying these needs, which makes the process smoother.

Advice for Aspiring Software Engineers: Align Passion with Purpose

For anyone starting or continuing their career in software engineering, I highly recommend seeking a company that allows you to sharpen your technical skills while also working toward a mission that resonates with you. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical details and lose sight of the bigger picture, but aligning your work with a meaningful cause can make all the difference in your job satisfaction.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Have open, honest conversations with your manager about your career goals and desires. If you feel stuck or want to explore new paths, it’s important to communicate that and be patient as you work toward making a change.

My manager has been incredibly supportive in helping me achieve my career goals. He ensures that I have opportunities that align with my aspirations, particularly in terms of new projects and prototypes. He also shields me from tasks that might distract me from those goals, which has been incredibly valuable for my focus and growth.

Looking Ahead

As Ndustrial continues to grow, I’m excited about the future. With the close of our Series B round, we have the chance to expand into new industry verticals, opening up a host of new challenges for the R&D team. These challenges represent exciting engineering opportunities that I’m eager to dive into.

One of the things I’m most excited about is the continued growth of our team and culture. Leadership has done an excellent job of fostering a collaborative environment where everyone is working toward common goals. The positivity and teamwork here have made a big difference in my overall job satisfaction, and I’m looking forward to contributing to Ndustrial’s future success.