Markus’s interest in technology products and how things interact started at a young age; his first stereo was wrecked by playing mechanical engineer and cutting random cables. He tried to re-design his first computer (an Amiga 500) to make it more user friendly by dismounting the keyboard to have it lay flat on the table, and spent hours tweaking GUIs to improve his user experience. His father had access to a TV-recording studio, and the young Markus found it to be one of the most amazing places to spend time with access to camera, sound and light technology and learning about the video production process.
Meet Markus
Markus initially enrolled in an electrical engineering program at university in Uppsala, but after a couple of years he migrated to computer science, a transition that was met with some surprise as electronics was more mainstream at that time, but given the IT boom, it proved to be serendipitous for him. After graduation Markus joined CrossControl, a move that may have seemed planned given his family connections to Alfta, but actually allowed him to stay in Uppsala at CrossControl’s recently opened Centre of Excellence.
Markus’ first role was as a software developer working with one of CrossControl’s first solutions, Silvia, a forestry application package that provided order data and analysis for the cut-to-length industry. This project was pioneering in the digitalization of mobile machines and eco-system integration. From there Markus moved through the
organization, taking on a variety of diverse roles from software project management, becoming team leader for solution software and tool chains, to working within product management.
Markus’s interest in human-computer interaction eventually led to a research opportunity with Mälardalen University, where in 2013 he began a doctoral research program into UX for industrial machines as part of an EU wide program, in addition to continuing his role at CrossControl as Head of UX. In 2020 Markus completed his doctorate with distinction.
Markus enjoys the diverse nature of his roles, both past and current, which allows him to keep learning on the job and gain experience across a range of disciplines, including product design, production, marketing and sales. Markus lives with his wife and 2 children on the outskirts of Uppsala where he enjoys fixing things running and triathlons.
What is the best thing about working at CrossControl?
The opportunity for interdisciplinary work in a dynamic high-tech industry and balance research, concept development, and deploy solutions. I enjoy working with smart people, and the latest technology within our industry, to provide interaction that combines hardware and software into solutions that provide real benefits to end-users, as well as to society with increased safety and improved work results.
How would you describe the workplace culture at CrossControl?
Curious, committed, and collaborative. It's an environment that allows us to work with a lot of freedom, with high team spirit, where everyone wants to produce good work, creating innovative solutions that matter.