Published on Jan 20th 2026
In today’s interconnected engineering landscape, international experience is a key advantage for early-career engineers. Working abroad helps graduates develop a global mindset, strengthen technical capability and gain exposure to diverse working environments and project standards.
At Designer Group, international mobility is a core part of our Graduate Programme. By placing graduates on major international engineering projects, we support their professional development from the outset, building confidence, capability and a strong foundation for long-term success in engineering.
Currently, two of our graduate engineers, Patryk Ostapczuk, a Graduate Electrical Engineer, and Vytenis Gibas, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, are undertaking their first international assignments in Austria, working on a data centre project in Vienna. This project represents one of Designer Group’s key developments in the region and offers graduates hands-on experience in a fast-paced, highly technical environment alongside an experienced, multidisciplinary engineering team.
Published on Jan 20th 2026
Gaining Site Experience on a Live Data Centre Project
For Patryk, joining the Vienna project marked his first experience working both on a live construction site and abroad. Moving from Ireland to Austria was a significant step, but one driven by the opportunity to accelerate his career through international project exposure.
Adapting to the scale and complexity of a large data centre project presented early challenges, particularly in navigating technical terminology and site processes. However, the support of the wider project team played a key role in helping him settle in quickly.
“It was quite nerve-racking at the start, as this was my first construction site, but the team has always taken the time to answer my questions, which has made a huge difference. Being trusted with responsibility early in my career and having ownership over my work and seeing its impact on the project makes the role far more rewarding,” Patryk says.
For graduates, this early exposure to site-based work helps build confidence, practical knowledge and a strong understanding of how complex engineering projects are delivered.
Published on Jan 20th 2026
From Design to Commissioning: Seeing Engineering in Practice
Alongside Patryk, Vytenis is gaining valuable international experience from a mechanical engineering perspective. Having previously worked in a design-focused role, the Vienna project has given him the opportunity to see engineering systems transition from drawings to fully operational installations.
With the project currently in the commissioning phase, Vytenis has been able to deepen his understanding of how complex mechanical systems come together in practice — a critical stage in the delivery of data centre projects.
“Coming from a design background, it’s been eye-opening to see the systems I used to design actually being installed and commissioned on site. Learning about commissioning has been a huge step forward for me and has helped me understand how every stage of the project connects,” Vytenis explains.
This hands-on exposure allows graduates to develop a well-rounded understanding of engineering beyond design, strengthening both technical and practical competence.
Published on Jan 20th 2026
Living and Working Abroad in Vienna
Beyond technical development, working abroad has played a significant role in both graduates’ personal growth. Relocating to Vienna has involved adapting to a new culture, managing independence and building confidence in an international setting.
Vienna’s mix of history, culture and outdoor lifestyle has added to the experience, with opportunities to explore the city, visit cultural landmarks and enjoy Austria’s strong outdoor and recreational culture.
Developing the Next Generation of Engineers
Patryk and Vytenis’ experiences highlight how Designer Group’s Graduate Programme offers more than traditional early-career training. By embedding graduates within live international engineering projects, the programme provides meaningful responsibility, real-world learning and early exposure to global project delivery.
This hands-on international experience equips graduates with the skills, confidence and global perspective needed to build successful engineering careers in an increasingly connected industry. For graduates looking to develop quickly, take on responsibility and work on major projects from the outset, Designer Group offers a strong platform to begin that journey.
