Johnstown, PA August 28, 2024
Computers are essential to just about everything we do at home and on the job. Concurrent Technologies Corporation’s (CTC’s) clients working to enhance our nation’s defenses rely on our computing technologies for their vital missions. Heidi Wildauer has contributed to the development of client-focused software solutions at CTC for 17 years. It’s rewarding and challenging work. And when she goes home after a busy day, Heidi has added to her family in an “egg-citing” way.
Learn more about Heidi in this installment of our “Behind the Scenes” series.
Tell us a little about your role as a Principal Software Engineer.
I lead and work with agile development teams in designing and implementing software solutions for our clients. Currently, my focus is on testing and analysis of open-source JSON validators to ensure the open-source solutions meet specific requirements. I’ve also recently worked with Apache NiFi to create data flows for managing data within different production environments. My job is very diverse and there are lots of opportunities to collaborate with teams, learn new technologies, and work with our clients to deliver high quality products.
What does a typical day at the office look like?
A typical day at the office starts with a scrum where the team reviews current progress, addresses any blockers, and plans the rest of the days tasks. I spend a good portion of the day working on code or writing technical documentation to go with our software or analysis findings. This job is always changing, just as technology keeps evolving. There are always different tasks to accomplish or problems to solve, and that is what makes my job so fulfilling.
What are some of the challenges and rewards in your role?
Continually learning new technologies has been both challenging and rewarding. Every day is a different experience!
What team collaborations are you involved in?
I’ve collaborated with many teams and individuals over my 17 years at CTC. The people I’ve worked with have helped shape me into the software engineer I am today. I’ve also been involved with CTC’s safety program for nearly as many years, which has helped me to extend my reach to other parts of the organization and meet new people. I’ve made lifelong friendships with my coworkers and have bonds that remain strong even when our career paths diverge. Once a CTC employee, you are always part of the family.
Do you have any routines that help you unwind after a busy day at work?
I have a few routines that help me relax and recharge. Going for walks or spending time with my family (husband and two kids), playing board games, doing puzzles, or watching our favorite TV shows help me disconnect from work and prepare for the challenges of the next day.
How do you stay organized and prioritize tasks both at home and at work?
At work, our tools include Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Teams. The collaboration these tools provide are essential to our success as a team. At home, Google Calendar is my go-to for keeping track of our household schedule. This is especially true when my two kids are in school and have extracurricular activities going on. Technology has truly helped me stayed organized and help prioritize tasks. I wouldn’t be able to live without it!
What’s an interesting fact about you that people might not know?
My family has chickens. ?? We started this chicken keeping hobby in 2021, and it is now a huge part of our family. Our hens (11 as of today!) are our pets and leave us eggs everyday. They each have names (and nicknames) and different personalities!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Working alongside such a talented and dedicated team inspires me every day, and I take great pride in the impact we make together, delivering cutting-edge solutions to our clients.
