Wanted to return to the coast – but not leave the job he loves
When Lars Martin (37) and his family moved to Florø, it was with a clear goal: to get closer to the sea – but still stay close to cutting-edge technology. Now he commutes from the western coast of Norway to Kongsberg every other week, leading a team that’s changing how Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace develops missile software.
The project I’m leading now is about changing how we develop software for missiles. We aim to become 50 percent faster – and that means challenging the way we work.
Shaking up how software is developed
The goal is to carry out a DevOps transformation – a way of working that Lars Martin describes as the gold standard in modern software development.
“With DevOps, you work more holistically and continuously. We’re introducing modern principles and tools, with a strong focus on automation – letting systems handle more of what used to be done manually,” he explains.
His team consists of engineers who map, automate, and modernise development processes across the organisation.
“We look at everything from the initial idea to the finished software – where we spend time, where bottlenecks occur, and how we can build more efficient workflows. It’s about making our processes as smooth as the best in the industry,” he says.
In addition, he leads a smaller project exploring how artificial intelligence can play a greater role in their daily work.
“AI can help simplify and improve several parts of what we do. It’s exciting to be part of something in its early stages that could have a big impact,” he says.
He finds that the opportunities for growth – both professional and personal – are significant.
“There are so many different things to work on here, across products and technologies. I also feel I can make a real impact. The project I’m leading exists precisely to challenge established ways of working – and that’s incredibly motivating,” he says.
Leading from Florø
Working as a team leader from Florø has worked surprisingly well.
“We’re closely connected digitally. I spend three days in Kongsberg every other week, and the rest of the time I work from home. We have a great culture for using cameras and collaborating actively on Teams – and it really works,” he says.
As a leader, he emphasises collaboration and knowledge sharing.
“We draw a lot of experience from the senior engineers in the department. The threshold for asking questions is low – it’s just part of the culture,” he says.
He also highlights the support he’s received in his leadership role, through courses and coaching.
Alongside the strong professional environment, he appreciates the social side of the department.
“We have a social committee that’s always planning something fun, along with events like summer parties and Christmas dinners. It helps us get to know each other outside of the projects too,” he says.
After more than a decade at KDA, what still motivates him are the opportunities to grow and make a difference.
“I’ve been allowed to grow with my responsibilities. You get both trust and support here – even when stepping into leadership roles. For me, it’s about driving change, but also contributing to something that truly matters,” he says.
