Every success story begins with effort, continuous development, and the ability to adapt to change.
But what does this journey look like in the field of engineering? The new Lead of System Design and Standartisation at Staticus, Domas Valiukas, shares his experiences – how he started his career, the challenges he faced, and the decisions he has taken that shaped his professional growth.
Discover how his career path has influenced not only his own development but also the evolution of Staticus, what working in an international market means to him, and what continues to drive him towards even greater ambitions.
What was it like when you first started at Staticus?
After completing my master’s degree, I attempted to establish myself in the job market in areas that interested me, but my initial job search was not successful.
I was aware of Staticus, and a former university colleague was already working there. Having heard good things from him, I reached out for a recommendation. After successfully passing all stages, I joined the company.
However, my first days were full of challenges. I could barely understand the technical drawings in front of me. I felt like a complete rookie with a great deal to learn. But after six months, my initial fears disappeared, and I felt like I understood everything. Then, another year into the job, I realised I still had so much more to learn and that the learning process never really stops (smiles).
What was your initial role and how has your career developed since then?
I joined the company in October 2012 as an assistant design engineer in the production preparation department. After less than a year, I became a fully qualified engineer.
Later on, production preparation department was restructured and established a new division – the Competence Centre. The head of division, Gediminas Putnikas, was someone I greatly respected, so when he invited me to participate in an internal selection process, I decided to give it a shot. Although I was nervous and thought I might have to wait longer for such an opportunity, he believed in my ambition and invited me to join his team.
At that time, the Competence Centre carried out tasks similar to what the Concept Design department does today; we worked with sales, developed new ideas, and engineered solutions.
In 2019, a larger company restructuring took place, creating new departments. I then became Head of Structural Design. However, after two and a half years, I decided to further my knowledge and enrolled in a PhD programme at Vilnius Tech University. Unfortunately, I had to reduce my workload and pass on my role to a new colleague.
I returned to the old team and continued working in the Concept Department until a new opportunity arose, to become Lead of System Design and Standartisation.
What makes Staticus a unique place to work?
First and foremost, it is an international company.
Working at Staticus allows you to operate on a global scale. You collaborate with top-tier specialists across Europe, learn from them, observe market trends, and continuously develop. This is what drives me. I have always wanted to fully understand what I do. I want to be where I am, to be a skilled professional who constantly improves and never lets himself down.
Secondly, the support system.
There is freedom to grow, develop, learn, and experiment – to find solutions that work not only for the business but also for you as an individual. And if you ever feel lost, your colleagues will provide you with the tools to find the right solutions.
I believe my career path is a great example of this. I have had the opportunity to grow both vertically and horizontally, change roles, and explore different fields, all while receiving encouragement and support from my colleagues.
What excites you the most about your new role?
I believe that after working for two years, your perspective on work doesn’t change drastically. But when you’ve been in the industry for over a decade, your ambitions are driven by the desire to be a true professional in your field.
That is exactly how I see myself; a specialist who is genuinely passionate about technical solutions and tangible results. More specifically, about applying theoretical knowledge in practice.
What excites me most about my new role is the opportunity to build a department based on theory but make it a functioning reality.
The current position and department are entirely new to the company, which means I have the freedom to create and shape working principles and activities. While the strategic direction is clear, the tactical decisions are up to me. Moreover, my work directly impacts other departments, meaning the decisions I make have real consequences for the entire company. This role allows me to develop systems, standardise processes, and actively contribute to their creation and implementation.
So yes, this comes with great responsibility, but also with great motivation.
What opportunities do you envision for your role?
I see both short-term and long-term goals.
The short-term goal is to develop systems that streamline daily work and improve efficiency.
The long-term goal is for Staticus to utilise as many in-house façade systems as possible, reducing reliance on external suppliers and becoming an even more competitive company.
I am confident that there is plenty of room for growth, innovation, and technical development within the company. I believe we will bring many ambitious ideas to life in the coming years.
What personal aspirations do you have as you take on this new role?
My personal goal is to continue developing and contributing to the company’s façade system innovations.
Staticus has successfully executed several projects featuring unique unitised façade systems.
For example, a system designed, developed, and manufactured in Lithuania was implemented in the ‘Separatorn 1’ project in Sweden.
Additionally, a few years ago, we delivered our first closed-cavity façade system in Norway for the ‘VIA VIKA’ project.
After winning a Norway Grant, we collaborated with KTU, OsloMet universities and Sintef to develop a sustainable hybrid façade system, where structural elements were replaced with timber components. The first project using this system was implemented in Sweden, the ‘Textiltorget’ project.
These are excellent examples and a strong foundation for future work. Every Staticus project is unique and requires tailored solutions. But, even with an established system, adaptations are always necessary.
My goal is to ensure our systems can be customised to each project’s specific needs, considering both structural and architectural requirements.
Tell us a bit about your life outside of work.
Outside of Staticus, I am a family man and dedicate most of my time to them.
I also have a hobby – I like to unwind after a workday by engaging in hands-on renovation projects. Right now, I am working on refurbishing a sauna. So, while I may not stray far from construction, this physical work helps me relax and fulfil personal projects.