Meet our Director of Engineering, Viachaslau Kostikov! He is a team player with a strong dedication to creating the best engineering culture for Wargaming. Viachaslau has an eye for detail and a knack for finding innovative solutions to complex issues.

Let’s deep dive into what he is doing and how he’s doing it!

Could you tell us the story about your career path and education?

I began my professional journey in 2001 when I was hired as a network administrator. Two years later, I became an intern at one of the most prominent outsourcing companies. Then, in 2004 I graduated from the University of Information and Radioelectronic equipment. After that, I had a long journey through various IT companies to Wargaming. I was a Software engineer (JAVA), Data Base architect, Team Lead, and Project manager, and I finally ended up in Engineering management.

Why did you choose to work in the gaming industry?

My decision to join the gaming industry was driven by multiple factors. First of all, I am a passionate gamer myself, and I have been playing games since I can remember. My enthusiasm for gaming has only grown over the years, so when the opportunity arose to move my career in this direction, I jumped at the chance. Once, my friend proposed that there should be a spot for me at Wargaming, and it seemed like the perfect fit! And here I am now!

Could you share your perspective on what is so unique about Wargaming?

I’m incredibly proud of Wargaming’s unique approach to game development. We strive to provide a great gaming experience for our players by focusing on quality and creating an immersive gaming world. At the same time, we value our employees and believe in creating an inspiring environment where everyone is equally respected and appreciated. This attitude makes us stand out from other companies. 

What’s so special about your area of responsibility?

My area of responsibility is to lead a great engineering team and create the best engineering culture for Wargaming. I take a creative, flexible approach to problem-solving, with an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. I’m a strong believer in the idea that teams succeed when everyone feels empowered to contribute and make decisions together. Additionally, I am always looking for ways to automate processes and improve efficiency within our organisation.

What values do you think are most important when leading a team?

I believe that the essential value of leading a team is communication. It’s not enough to just set goals and expectations; it’s equally important to foster an environment of understanding, respect, and trust. When everyone understands the expectations and how their efforts will contribute to the team’s success, it motivates them to work together towards achieving those goals. Additionally, creating an atmosphere of collaboration encourages creativity and idea sharing, which can help the team reach their goals faster and more efficiently. Ultimately, effective communication is key to any thriving team environment. Also, the communication “language” matters. When you talk to engineers, you need to use their language, and I, as an engineer (not EX!), can do it in the engineering way!

Could you share your thoughts about the privileges of being in Lithuania? What do you like the most about this country?

I feel very fortunate to be living in Lithuania. It is a beautiful country with many great things to offer. One of the best parts about being here is how open and friendly everyone is. You can find yourself having conversations with ministers, mayors, and other officials on the city streets, something I certainly didn’t experience while living in another country. 

All in all, living here has been an incredible experience so far!

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are quite diverse, ranging from reading science fiction books to playing computer games, snowboarding and travelling. I also enjoy squash. It helps me stay active and keeps my brain sharp and focused. Besides that, I’m a father of three children, which can sometimes be quite exhausting but also really rewarding. 

What advice would you give to a new joiner?

I’d like to suggest that a new joiner should focus on developing soft skills. Soft skills are just as important as technical ones and will help them better navigate their tasks and the work environment. It’s important for any employee, but especially new joiners, to have good communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills in order to make an effective contribution to the team.