Mechanical Design Engineer Review

Fully enjoyed my placement to the highest extent. Was given so much responsibility and the projects I was involved with meant I took my designs from the ground up to prototype to the end product, the process was extremely rewarding watching my designs actually used on a real product that is out in the field today. The site is an incredible place and you'll receive driver training so you can take customers across the site on the tracks, which is an amazing experience every time.

The team down at conversions, and in fact the whole site, are all very friendly. The higher level management and HR department periodically check up on you and see what projects you are working on and making sure everything is OK, its nice to have this interaction and felt like I could approach anybody if I had any issue at all. The conversions department were like a family, and we went out for meals and drink outside of work, was a really good atmosphere. I felt a valued member of the team, and constantly involved in relevant meetings, and given responsibilities.

Guidance and support was given always when asked, management would always make time out of their schedule to see you, and for a general catch up. You a given two mentors on your placement officially however everybody is so friendly and knowledgeable and everybody was approachable so support and guidance is readily available. If they don't know they'll send you in the right direction, as they're will be somebody on the site that will have the answer because of all the different factions on site.

The days were busy, however varied. I'd try and make my days split half in the workshop and half in the office on the CAD system and general computer task. Some tasks had tighter deadlines than others but all were manageable, and as stated above any assistance is easily attained. The work is varied so there was never a time where I wasn't enjoying being busy.

You start of getting the grips with the system, and working with everybody in the department which is a valuable experience as I got to see the challenges the fitters have, so could try and get a good idea of the designs I could create to help them out. Furthermore it got me hand on with the vehicles, where I learnt where existing components were placed and how to improve on old designs.

I gained valuable knowledge throughout my experience at Millbrook Proving Ground, from learning a new CAD software, to customer relation skills and everything else in between. I have worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer and done everything this entails, not left to do menial tasks, I have been fully involved in all the projects and this will set me in good stead for when I leave university and seek employment in the Automotive sector.

Always a good laugh and its a very relaxed office environment, again, everybody is so friendly and there is always a laugh to be had in between the the work. The workshop is the typical workshop environment and there is lots of good humor there, which is a good thing with the sometimes challenging situations stripping vehicles and fitting fiddly brackets.

After the initial settling week, I was swiftly put through all the relevant training. Initially an access permit so that I could drive onto site to get my vehicle to the office, then further built open this with skid car training and driver appraisal (very fun) so that I could drive Millbrook vehicles to get about the site and give customers tours of the site. Soon after I underwent fire extinguisher training, manual handling training and international relations training.

Within my department, the main personal development came with time, they invested more confidence in me as my skills built, eventually to a point where I ran a whole project from initial ideas, to prototyping, BOM creation, ordering all 15 vans worth of components and then helping the fitters fit the vans out. The project was very large, it consisted of a storage solution for the complete loading area of a van, spanning from the floor to the roof, and the entire length and width, consisting of drawers, shelving, framework, lighting, netting and load securing points.

After finishing with the placement they have an alumni group which keeps in contact with the all the undergraduates, and it would be through this that future employment prospects would be advertised. It is openly promoted to keep in contact with your manager and keep in contact with Millbrook HR as they seem very welcoming to come back for employment of their graduate rotational scheme which looks very interesting, as you rotate around the departments and get a whole taste of what Millbrook does as a whole site.

Social scheme within the company is amazing, Millbrook subsidizes a lot of activities its employees undergo if part of the relevant club. I was part of the 'Social Sport' club so played badminton and squash with employees from across the site. I was also part of the Motorsport site which is a good place to go to local meets, karting event, simulator days and track days! The list of clubs are almost endless and you can create a club if it isnt covered already!

Cost of living in Bedford is very reasonable, and there are many restaurant and bars ect that are reasonably priced and decent. Millbrook has ties with a Landlord that takes of the undergraduates each year so that they can all live together which is good. He is very reasonable with the price and its good living with people you're own age for the social side.

Nightlife in Bedford wont be like a University night out as Bedford isn't a large university town, but none the less a good time can be had, there are few clubs in the town itself, but in the surrounding areas better bars and pubs can be found. Its all relatively reasonably priced too!

With the Clubs at Millbrook there is always something to do outside of work. Furthermore the departments are quite close knit, and we'd go for curry nights and a few beers relatively often. Millbrook also open up to events for staff occasionally so you can get involved in some events on site such as the family fun day, Magnum Spirit, crazy 5k runs and many many more.