The Story of a Kernel is a series of publications about the people who contribute their efforts and talents to C3D Labs. We spoke with Andrei Tumanin, head of the C3D Modeler Geometric Kernel Development Department, and learned how he transitioned from pursuing a career in shipbuilding to leading a team of math software engineers working on the kernel.
- Andrei, tell us about your childhood.
I spent my childhood in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
- Did you ever dream of becoming a mathematician? Or did you follow in your parents’ footsteps?
I never dreamed of becoming a mathematician, and my parents are not in that field either. I was fortunate to have great math teachers in school, Lilia Vladimirskaya and Nina Vladimirskaya, who nurtured my passion for the exact sciences. Of course, I had a penchant for STEM. Since the 8th grade, I aimed to enroll in the School of Mechanics and Mathematics at Nizhny Novgorod State University and participated in a correspondence math program run by the school.
- You did graduate from the School of Mechanics and Mathematics at Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University. Was it difficult to enroll and study?
For me, enrolling was harder than studying. During my college years, I lived in a dorm. I focused on my studies for the first three years and began working part-time in my fourth year.
- What was your first job?
My first real job was with Telma Soft, a mobile app company. I joined them after my fourth year and worked there for nearly two years. It was a great start to my career: I immersed myself in industrial-scale software development and gained invaluable experience working for a large company
- And then you moved to a shipbuilding company. How did that happen?
When it was time to write my graduation project, my supervisor, Prof. Vasily Shabarov, suggested I tackle ’the real thing.’ That’s how I got involved in the shipbuilding industry
At that time, Aerokhod Shipbuilding Company hired a young team of Nizhny Novgorod State University graduates. We introduced computer simulation into shipbuilding, and I worked on the motion dynamics and structural strength for amphibious vehicles, including hovercraft and ground-effect vehicles.
- In 2012, you received your Ph.D. in engineering. Was your thesis related to your work?
Yes, I conducted my thesis research at my workplace. The shipbuilding company’s employees applied for research grants, and the company supported R&D efforts. Also, the company collaborated with the Krylov National Research Center, resulting in joint projects and theses.
My thesis involved field experiments to verify the simulation model. We conducted tests in the towing tanks at the Krylov National Research Center, and, of course, on the Volga River for actual performance trials. It is a kind of sea romance. Also, you immediately check whether your hypotheses hold up. That’s why I have a Ph.D. in engineering rather than in physics or mathematics—I focused on applied research. Pure science, without real-life applications, would probably be boring. It is important to me to work on tangible and useful.
- Do you feel that way working for C3D Labs?
Sure! The C3D kernel serves as the foundation for many sophisticated products across various industries. They would not exist without our kernel.
- How did you transition from ship design to C3D Labs? How did you learn about the company?
At a certain point, I considered changing my field. I saw a vacancy at ASCON. My job duties were quite similar, and I was certainly familiar with KOMPAS. I completed the test assignment. It was in 2016. At that time, C3D Labs did not have an office in Nizhny Novgorod yet. My review period was at the Kolomna office, where I lived for the first couple of months.
- What were your initial impressions of the job?
I was impressed by the friendly team and the cozy Kolomna office. Still, I felt overwhelmed by the new challenges.
- How did the Nizhny Novgorod office of C3D Labs come into existence?
Initially, only three people worked in the Nizhny Novgorod office: Alexei Goryachev was the first, followed by me, and a couple of months later, Tatiana Mitina joined us. We had a small room for the three of us. As we began hiring more team members, the team expanded. I’m glad the employee retention rate is quite high. We’ve been growing rapidly lately, working on a multitude of projects, and welcoming new people to both the company and our office.
- You’re now the head of the C3D Modeler kernel development. How long have you been leading your team?
I’ve been in charge of the department since 2022. Before that, I served as deputy manager for a couple of years. We have several dedicated teams within the department. We have senior employees who have been with the company for many years, a sort of “council of elders.” They collectively help us tackle challenges.
- What’s the most exciting and most challenging part of your job?
From a team leader’s perspective, the most exciting aspect is the ability to manage the development process, prioritize tasks, and allocate resources accordingly. A manager has far more opportunities to guide the processes compared to a line developer.
Delegating is the most challenging part. The primary challenge is to avoid micromanaging and slowing down the work. It is crucial to set up the system so it can function smoothly without you, even when you’re away on vacation Even if you believe you can complete a task faster and better, you need to delegate because you won’t have enough time to do everything yourself.
- How do you envision our company in 10 years?
We have many ambitious goals. The company is currently expanding rapidly across several business lines, such as polygonal modeling, and new, advanced approaches are emerging. I would like C3D Labs to become one of the world’s leading companies in the development of engineering software components.
- How do you spend your free time?
With my family. I have three children. I also like gardening. I play volleyball.
- Having worked your way up from developer to department head, what advice would you give to young professionals who want to join the development of the geometric kernel?
Above all, be confident in your abilities, persistent, and patient. There are no unsolvable challenges. Your professional growth is always about pushing beyond your limits. Go for it!
