A day in CAD with Fil Migrala

This month, we speak to Fil Migrala - one of our 3D CAD Engineers. He started life at Victory as an apprentice and has become an integral part of the drawing team. Here we find out what he loves about CAD and working at Victory, and how he spends his spare time...

What brought you to Victory?

Around 10 years ago, I'd finished my Engineering qualification at college and wasn't quite sure what my next step would be. I was torn between university and an apprenticeship - thankfully I chose the latter and ended up at Victory as a CAD Engineer apprentice... and I've not looked back since! From there, I've been given so many opportunities to progress and grow and have had the privilege of seeing Victory develop into the forward-thinking, innovative company it is today.

What does a typical working day look like in the CAD department?

It always starts with a strong coffee! No two days are the same in the CAD team and we have to be on our toes to be ready for any drawing amends that might come up. I work on new product development so I could be working on floors, walls, electrical layouts, or even something smaller like a fireplace. We're a close-knit team and collaborate with multiple departments to develop the best products out there which is one of the best parts of the job.

What do you love most about working for Victory?

Where do I start? Firstly, it’s the people – everyone is really friendly and nice, but also highly ambitious and very talented, which makes for a great environment to work in. There’s also the benefit of having a 4-day working week, which helps me balance my work and social life. Finally, the growing nature of the business means I can get involved in projects I wouldn't normally get an insight into, and our ambitious growth plans really excite me.

What challenges do you face in CAD and how do you overcome them?

Stepping up from an apprentice to a fully fledged CAD engineer was challenging, but one I've risen to. Moving from 2D to 3D was like learning everything from scratch again but it means the work we produce is more precise and we can be much more agile in the way we do things. At Victory, we do everything for a reason and 3D CAD is the only way forward if we want to keep our homes fresh and exciting.

Which Victory home is your favourite and why?

I've loved the Faraday since I saw the initial concepts and I haven't changed my mind! It’s clean, modern and offers a unique aesthetic that is worlds apart from traditional static caravans and lodges of the past. The majority of the furniture is also made in-house which, from a technical standpoint, makes it extra special because I can see our hard work in CAD come to life even more.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Never assume anything – this is something I live by both professionally and personally. I always try to base my work on evidence and plenty of testing so I know it will work. The CAD team are problem-solvers and solution wizards so it's in our nature to be precise and methodical in what we do, which leads to less mistakes.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like going to the gym because it helps me feel better, both physically and mentally, which in turn boosts my productivity. I also love travelling with my wife and love the sense of adventure and escapism! Another way I like to escape is by watching movies and playing video games, which helps me unwind after a busy day in CAD.

What three items would you take with you to a desert island?

I would take an iPhone so I don’t get bored (and maybe a solar powered charger), a sleeping bag so I get some much-needed shut eye, and a hairdryer to make sure my hair is on point for when I get rescued!

If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

Can I only choose one? I'd love to be able to see the future - I’d make the right decision every single time and I'm reading into investing at the moment, so I'd put my money in all the right places!