Mechanical Industrial Placement Review

Developing solutions to help further company product in the defense industry. Engaging with other engineers in meetings and onsite to come up with designs for equipment and tests to use to solve problems. Using CAD software and analytical skills to make appropriate equipment designs and predictions. Actively participate with onsite tests I have designed and make observations as well as appropriate changes to see results. Documenting results and recommendations, relaying it to the team meanwhile.

I've learnt how to use Creo Parametric. My documenting skills have developed, from writing test readiness reviews, PowerPoint packs and technical notes. Through a lot of data analysis from test results, my Excel skills have also really strengthened. Testing onsite has given me so much hands-on experience within the field from building up rigs, seeing product and editing parts in the machine shops. Ability to engage with people across the company.

Yes, I was given a lot of responsibility as the work I was doing was important to the product getting developed from a test where something may not have behaved as required. So the work I did would help products get closer to reaching the specifications, allowing it to then be furthered and taken for proposals. They would also allow us to use expensive product or traceable items in tests, which would need careful treatment.

There was so much support. When I arrived people encouraged me heavily, all year, to just give them a ring if I was unsure of anything or needed help. They would send me advice or point me to another person in the company who could help me on a specific request. There are office meetings twice a week to get news, have a catch up (COVID times) and ask for more work when running low.

The company is so welcoming. They look out for you, they love knowledge sharing and keeping all of the team involved as much as possible. During COVID, the few times I have been able to come onsite people were so friendly, even though I have never seen many of them before. Their Skype is always open for a message or a ring and in meetings they'll always offer help and work advice.

I loved my placement. In a year when everything was a bit odd I had people to talk to. I would happily return here, for both the work and the lovely people here. I've never had the chance to exercise engineering skills in my background as a woman in a not very hands on house, this was perfect for me. People were understanding where I needed advice and still pushed me to my best.

Yes

Be someone they would want to work alongside. If you make it to the interview stage then you must have the skills that they can develop but being a really good engineer will come from just being a friendly engaging person. They have so much knowledge to give and they will share it with you if you look for it.