Kensu Team: Leszek Gruchała

As Kensu continues to set the standard for Data Observability, we’re highlighting the team members driving this success to understand, in their words, a little bit more about them. Read on to learn more about Leszek Gruchała, Backend Technical Leader at Kensu.

What was your background before working for Kensu?

Before joining the IT world, I had multiple experiences:  I sold electronics, I worked in the forest and even on a trout farm, I studied economics, … At some point, I got interested in computer science, and with a huge luck, I was offered a job at the Main Library of Szczecin University as a Linux administrator and programmer. After a year I decided to concentrate on software development fully.  Then as a developer, I spent roughly eight years with Java and five years with Scala as an outsourced consultant. I had an opportunity to work with various industries and teams across Europe and the United States.

Why did you choose to work for Kensu?

I have always wanted to work on a meaningful product and work in the core part of the company. By coincidence, I found the job offer, thought it was interesting, and decided to apply. The rest is history! :-)

What do you enjoy the most about your role at Kensu?

Not only can I help my teammates, but I am always learning from them - regardless of what they do. It’s truly great to be surrounded by such people. Even though we are a remote-first company, we have strong communication.

What have you learned since joining Kensu?

With the right people, you can accomplish and learn so much.

What makes Kensu different from other companies you’ve worked with?

Even though I work remotely, I truly feel a sense of belonging, working on a product I find very important, where I’m constantly learning more about both the technology and the business as they evolve.

How do you recharge?

During spring and summer, I enjoy wandering around or just sitting in the forest, listening to the birds - without all the distractions. For the colder parts of the year, I love watching comedy movies and playing games. I also enjoy going to the gym to recharge.

What has changed in the engineering industry over the years?

I think it was easier to start working in this industry in the 2000s. There was a time when jQuery was enough to build a frontend application and one server instance without virtualization did the whole job. Things are much more complicated now and… we tend to reinvent the wheel from time to time.

What advice would you give to someone starting in engineering?

Make sure you love what you do because you must keep learning constantly. Without genuine interest and passion, it will be very difficult to stay motivated.

What quote inspires you? Why?

“How to eat an elephant? Bite by bite”. 

When you are part of a small company, you need to be flexible and adapt to its changing needs. Though my role is to work as a developer with my team, I field business questions and remove any obstacles to ensure my team can focus on their tasks. In times when I feel overwhelmed, the best solution is to prioritize tasks and solve them one by one.

If you could recommend any book, which book would it be?

“The Martian” by Andy Weir. Creativity, knowledge, intelligence, and perseverance can push us further than we ever thought possible.

What has been the most memorable moment in your life?

The most memorable moment in my life has been the very first moments of my children in this world.

How would you describe Kensu’s culture?

Respectful, supportive, goal-driven, and focused.

What would you like to tell possible future teammates about your team?

You will be listened to, you will be valued, and you will make an impact.

Learn more about the Kensu team and Data Observability solution by visiting https://www.kensu.io.