Expertise That Reaches All the Way to Space

From Electronics Designer to Line Manager, and from Lead Designer and Project Manager to QA & Testing Manager, Mikko Kostiainen has built a remarkable career at DA-Group. Mikko Kostiainen has enjoyed a 20-year career at DA-Group, thanks to a supportive employer, new challenges, opportunities for growth, and a great team of colleagues.

Over the course of two decades, QA & Testing Manager Mikko Kostiainen has witnessed DA-Group transform from an engineering-focused company into a full-scale product house.

"The expertise within the company is now far broader than when I started. Today, we are responsible for the entire product lifecycle, from design to maintenance, which has also made my own work easier. I no longer need to make calls around the world to track down parts of a project, because our in-house sourcing professionals take care of things like component procurement."

"And overall, the work is much more meaningful when the whole process is under our control. I am completely convinced that the end result is also of higher quality when DA-Group takes responsibility as a turnkey supplier, from design all the way to manufacturing."

Mikko has also had the opportunity to participate in DA-Group's space projects. If anything, those projects have been a tremendous learning experience.

"Space projects are documented and tested with exceptional precision, so they teach you what truly high-quality electronics design looks like. Every single component and connection must be analyzed down to the smallest detail."

"And, of course, it's pretty impressive to talk about what you do for a living. People are immediately interested when you tell them you're working on technology that goes into space."

Every Project Teaches Something New

Long-term projects have both advantages and challenges, Kostiainen reflects. They allow you to dive deeply into a subject, but they also require perseverance. At the same time, the variety of project phases naturally keeps the work interesting.

"Every project teaches you something and significantly increases the expertise within the company. Understanding the bigger picture makes the work far more meaningful for everyone involved."

The last time Mikko worked as a designer was a little over five years ago on the EISCAT 3D radar project. After several years of development work, the project is now in its final stages, with serial production underway and production testing in progress. Mikko plans to see the project through before fully transitioning to leading quality assurance and testing teams as a people manager.

"Going forward, my role will be to ensure that every project within the business unit has the right resources available. I see it as essential that quality and testing processes are properly defined, well managed, and clearly documented across all projects."

Mikko believes that understanding both expertise and the people behind it is key to allocating resources effectively.

"It's extremely important to talk with people and learn what each individual's strengths are. I need to know my team well so I can assign the best people to each customer project."

It All Started with Electronics Design

Back in ninth grade, Mikko Kostiainen did not yet know what he wanted to become, but studying electronics seemed like a good option. After vocational school, he continued his studies at a university of applied sciences, where his career choice became increasingly clear.

"At the time, there was also a very strong job market for electronics designers. I joined the group in 2006 through another company that was merged into DA-Group a year later."

For the first ten years, Mikko worked as an electronics designer at DA-Group before applying for an internally advertised line manager position. He spent nearly two years in that role before moving on to new challenges.

"I clearly wanted to develop myself and do something new. I believe I have good people skills and get along well with others. As a manager, I was able to make use of my interpersonal skills. I also received support for leadership responsibilities through various training programs, coaching, and advice from colleagues already working in managerial positions."

"It's fascinating to learn why people behave the way they do. Why one person reacts to a situation completely differently from everyone else."

As a manager, Mikko has spent considerable time thinking about what makes a team successful. Technical expertise alone is not always enough. An open atmosphere that encourages people to ask questions and even make mistakes is equally important.

"It's extremely important to be able to admit when you don't know something and need help. That way, issues don't get stuck. It's also important to be willing to accept help and recognize your own mistakes. When all of this is combined with good communication, projects are completed successfully and on schedule."

Mikko and his family enjoy living in Forssa, and he appreciates having the opportunity to work and grow professionally in his hometown. From a family perspective, the strengths of a smaller city include the accessibility and variety of services. Nature is always close by, and there is none of the hustle and bustle of a major metropolitan area.