Code-girls wanted

The Code Girls were a group of more than 10.000 women who served as Cryptographers (code makers) and Cryptanalysts (code breakers) for the United States military during World War II. The times we live in are characterized by insecurity and code-breakers and -makers are just as important today.

At Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG), there is a large and varied professional environment working with technology contributing to increased security. Here, now, and in the future.

It was the opportunity to work with large real-time systems that brought Trine to KONGSBERG. Here she works with software for advanced defence systems. An important job on several levels.

But the responsibility is great and the decision carefully considered.

From air to naval defence
Trine moved to the Norwegian city of Kongsberg when she was offered a job as a Software developer on the air defence system “National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System” (NASAMS). She brought with her a Master's degree in Technology within Cybernetics and Robotics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
The combination of software and hardware expertise is advantageous, because it provides an overall picture that is valuable, especially during testing and integration of products.

While still in school, Trine participated (twice) in one of KONGSBERG’s popular student projects; "Coastal Shark" - developing an autonomous jet ski. The project gave her the opportunity to practice her passion and study specialization within embedded computer systems, and to establish great connections and gain an important working-relationship with KONGSBERG and the city.

“I didn't know many people when I moved to Kongsberg, but I have gained a large network through Young@KDA and our own "Social Committee" in the Software department,” says Trine.
“I have also come to know some of my colleagues’ girlfriends, so my network outside work is also growing,” she says, laughing.

After two years working as a developer, Trine was offered her current position as a Software architect with technical responsibility for navigation and control systems - used by both national and international navies. An exciting and new project that she’s not allowed to say much about - other than it is currently on the drawing board.
As part of the preparatory work, she has been sailing with the Royal Norwegian Navy to test the current system. Being close to the operators and users of the system, gives invaluable first-hand knowledge to develop tomorrow's solutions.

It is particularly exciting to be able to take part in driving the technology forward. The navigation system she is helping to develop must be operational, relevant and functional also in 2060, placing strict demands on the development of the technology,

The work assignments are much about planning and designing for the developers to start coding.

“What I like best about my job is that the working days are very varied. I get to meet many different people and professional environments, be in the lab and test how the system we have developed works, be out in the production hall and physically see how the products work, look at the assembly of all the components, travel to subcontractors to assist with the integration of their products and to customers to check that the product works according to the required specifications,” she says.
But what Trine likes best is to crack codes and solve problems in a team together with skilled colleagues. And if you need help with something, there is always someone to ask.