I walked into the office on a Wednesday morning, sat at my desk, and procrastinated a bit before I started the day's work. I wanted to start the day off by writing a blog so I picked the topic “Evolution of the BMS.” An hour into the research, I paused and wondered how is all this information going to help me keep my audience engaged and the answer wasn't compelling. That led me to ask myself another question, why not just open a blank Word document and take you through Maxwell, a young but experienced Advance Electronics Company?
Imagine a company with a vibe akin to the iconic Dunder Mifflin. Before you cringe, let me assure you—it's the best way to help you visualize Maxwell. Unlike Dunder Mifflin, we might not have a Pam, but we do have Firoj. He’s our head of admin, and I must say, he's the go-to person for everything. From helping you change your phone number on your AADHAR card to addressing all admin needs, Firoj goes above and beyond to assist both at work and outside. I walk into the office and there he is greeting us with a big smile. FYI, he's a massive Shahrukh Khan fan.
As you walk in, you’re greeted by a spacious, sunlit office with a modern, yet rustic feel—thanks to the charming brick wall. The hardware team’s desk is usually deserted as they’re usually in the lab building and testing. I’ve even borrowed one of their monitors for my use, and they’re still blissfully unaware.
The office layout features the Application Engineering team in one area, followed by the firmware team, with a marketing person tucked away at the deep end of the corner, the non-technical team—where I fit in. Behind the conference room is a small lab with a HIL setup. The pièce de résistance of our office, however, is the table tennis table located right next to the pantry.
Mornings at Maxwell are calm as everyone settles in and begins their work. The real excitement starts in the small and big labs, where discussions about BMS technology can become as heated as a football match between United and Liverpool supporters.
By 1:00 PM, the office pantry comes to life. While many are still engrossed in their tasks, I’m already enjoying my lunch because for me when it's time to eat, it's time to eat. After lunch, the real action begins with back-to-back table tennis matches. If you prefer to eat in peace, I suggest having lunch before the games start, or you might find yourself dodging a stray table tennis ball. With the microwaves right next to the table, we frequently pause our games, but it doesn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves.
After lunch, it’s back to work, with regular breaks for table tennis. We have to be mindful of the noise, especially to avoid disturbing Nehali, our finance girl, who is known for her intense focus.
When you hit a roadblock, Harshit, our Technical Program Manager (More often than not, known as the HMCL guy) who usually sits on the couch near the entrance, is your savior. What starts as a quick consultation often turns into a deep dive, transforming your concept for the better. Harshit is not just leading the Application Engineering and Technical Program Management; marketing is in his veins.
On hectic days, a game of table tennis with Yash, another AE lead, is the perfect stress-buster. Although he’s not the best player, he’s confident and owes me 50 push-ups for a lost game.
Vraj, another colleague, often quizzes me about various BMS components, helping me learn to identify a MOSFET-based BMS from a Contactor-based BMS.
Jinal, our finance wizard, is always ready to spark a lively conversation on just about anything—except work! She keeps the table buzzing with energy and humor. Her quick wit and strong opinions ensure that even the most ordinary topics turn into unforgettable discussions.
And then there’s Michelle, our HR rep, who’s got this rare, relaxed vibe. She’s the type of person who makes things feel easy, whether it’s a quick chat or a more serious conversation. You always know you can go to her without feeling like it’s a big deal, and she’s great at keeping things calm and casual, no matter what’s on the table.
I’m always entertained by Rohit and Dhaval, who sit behind me and drop random punchlines whenever I pass by. Rohit plays amazing Table Tennis and Dhaval thinks he does.
And finally Shachi from the compliance team, I truly believe that she practices table tennis on her dining table at home, she just keeps on getting better day by day.
As the day winds down, you realize that at Maxwell, you have not only had a productive day but also, time flies being around such chill yet driven folks and the warm yet agile environment. Whether you're getting things done, playing table tennis, or just enjoying the company of your colleagues, it's all part of the Maxwell culture. When the workday ends, you clock out and head home, hit up a nearby bar, or stay back for a few more rounds of table tennis to unwind.
