Nikola Atlagić, chief specialist for vibration diagnistics

Hi Nikola, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

My name is Nikola Atlagić and I’m a mechanical engineer with a master’s degree. By nature I’m analytical and enjoy work that involves solving technical problems. I previously worked in the aviation industry, which was my first real professional experience, and I’ve been with NIS since 2020.

My job is mainly focused on vibration diagnostics, but we also use other methods such as passive ultrasound and thermography. The focus of our work is predictive maintenance through monitoring equipment condition, which includes measuring and analyzing vibrations to detect failures on time and improve reliability and safety.

Did your studies prepare you for the work you do now?

Since I focused and specialized mostly in aviation during my bachelor’s and master’s studies at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade, I didn’t have subjects directly related to vibration diagnostics. But during that period I was definitely interested in this field.

What made you apply to NIS? Were you interested in this industry before joining?

Before joining NIS, I wasn’t particularly interested in the oil and energy industry. My main goal was to find a company where I could grow in the field of vibration diagnostics. That was also the main reason I decided to apply. So my first contact with NIS was through the job posting for a vibration diagnostics engineer.

What would you say to someone in your field who is unsure about applying?

After applying for different roles in various companies, I still chose NIS. In my opinion, NIS is one of the best companies for professional development and learning. You have access to state-of-the-art technology, equipment and training – which was the deciding factor for me. The experience and knowledge I’ve gained here would be very hard to gain elsewhere.

If that same person told you they have an interview at NIS, what advice would you give them to help them succeed?

My advice would be to show genuine interest in the field you want to work in and to inform yourself well about what that field includes. It’s good to be prepared to talk about your experience and skills, but also to show willingness to work in a team and to keep learning.

What was it like joining NIS?

In the beginning it was challenging and a bit stressful, because many new colleagues were joining at the same time and the environment was new and somewhat chaotic. But over time I adapted to the team and gained confidence in my work.

What did your career path at NIS look like?

I joined NIS completely fresh – both to the company and to the field. At the beginning we had a mentor, a colleague who was close to retirement, from whom we learned the basics of the job. I started with field work and getting familiar with the equipment while also taking exams and earning licenses. Since we had our mentor only for a limited period of time, we had to become independent quickly and apply our knowledge in practice. After that I was promoted to the position of Principal Specialist.

And finally, what do you like most about your job?

What makes this job special to me are the constant challenges. I enjoy analyzing different situations and finding solutions to technical problems. And of course, the great team I work with, along with modern methods, equipment and the opportunity to acquire new skills.