As global industries embrace digital transformation at unprecedented speeds, principal33 is carving a unique path blending deep technical expertise, a people-first mindset, and a strong Eastern European foundation. With a majority of its engineering force based in Romania and an expanding footprint across Europe, the company is rapidly becoming a key player in regulated sectors like energy, pharma, aerospace, and automotive.
We sat down with the team at principal33 to discuss how they’re leveraging AI, cloud, and continuous learning to drive innovation and how their evolving identity and hybrid delivery model are shaping the future of enterprise technology across the continent.
principal33 has grown significantly in recent years, with over 75% of your engineering team based in Romania. What role does Romania play in your 2025 growth strategy, and why is this region such a strong asset for the company?
Romania is central to our 2025 growth strategy. With over 75% of our engineers based here, the country provides a rich pool of technical talent, strong education, very good communication skills and a culture aligned with our values. We see Romania not just as a delivery center, but as a true innovation hub.
Your company operates in highly regulated industries like energy, pharma, aerospace, and automotive. How do you combine domain expertise with emerging technologies like AI and cloud to deliver value in these demanding sectors?
We combine deep industry knowledge with AI and cloud by working closely with experts who understand sector-specific regulations. This allows us to build tailored, compliant solutions that improve processes like predictive maintenance, quality control, or compliance automation. Cloud platforms provide secure, scalable environments, ensuring our solutions deliver measurable business value while respecting regulatory demands.
You’re expanding your presence across Europe with new offices in Germany, Ireland, and Spain. How are you balancing nearshore delivery from Romania with this new onshore footprint, and what impact does that have on your client relationships?
We use a hybrid delivery model: Romanian teams provide scalability and technical expertise, while our local offices ensure close client collaboration and faster feedback. This balance strengthens trust and partnership, allowing us to deliver efficiently while maintaining a personal touch with clients across Europe.
principal33 emphasizes a people-first culture, with impressive retention and talent satisfaction. What’s your secret to building and scaling a high-performing engineering team in such a competitive talent market?
Our secret is investing in people through continuous learning, career development and meaningful work. We create a supportive culture where engineers have ownership and a clear path to grow. Respect, transparency and challenges keep our teams motivated and committed.
AI and data are key pillars in your offering. How are you helping clients integrate AI into their workflows and what trends do you see shaping the future of intelligent enterprise solutions?
We help clients move AI from pilot projects to full integration in workflows: automating tasks, enhancing decision-making and improving efficiency. The future lies in operational AI embedded in daily processes, combined with data-driven insights that enable smarter, faster business outcomes.
You’ve worked with Fortune 500 and DAX-listed companies. What lessons have you learned from serving large-scale enterprises that might inspire startups or scale-ups in Techsylvania’s ecosystem?
From large enterprises, we learned the importance of scalable processes, strong governance, and building trust. Startups can apply these lessons by designing their operations to scale early, focusing relentlessly on customer value and building reliable delivery frameworks.
In a world moving rapidly toward industry 4.0, how do you envision the role of Eastern European tech talent evolving on the global innovation stage and what part does principal33 want to play in that evolution?
Eastern European talent is increasingly becoming a driver of global innovation, not just a support center. principal33 aims to be a launchpad for this talent, helping engineers take leading roles in cutting-edge projects and shaping the future of digital industries worldwide.
You’re currently upskilling dozens of Romanian engineers in SAP, Salesforce, and even foreign languages like German. How do you approach continuous learning as a strategic lever for company growth?
Continuous learning is a core part of our strategy. We invest in technical training, certifications and language skills to keep our teams competitive and ready for new challenges. This focus on upskilling ensures our growth and the ability to serve diverse markets effectively.
Your rebranding in 2024 signaled a more mature and international identity. How do you define principal33 today and what story do you hope people will associate with your name in the next 3 years?
Today, principal33 is a trusted, international partner for digital transformation with deep technical expertise and a people-first culture. In the next three years, we want to be known as the company that delivers innovative, reliable technology solutions that truly drive client success.
Their story is one of scale, substance, and strategic vision. From embedding AI into regulated workflows to cultivating top engineering talent in Romania, the company is proving that innovation and operational excellence can go hand in hand. As they continue to grow across Europe, their focus remains clear: building trusted partnerships, nurturing talent, and delivering real business value in some of the world’s most demanding industries.
With their eyes set on 2025 and beyond, principal33 isn’t just following the digital transformation wave, they’re helping define it.
