Undergraduate Design Engineer Review

My role involves providing support to the engineering projects currently run by Pall Corporation in the Aerospace department. My main activity is modelling components or assemblies and draughting them using CATIA. I work alongside my more senior colleagues to ensure that the design work (either new products or updates to existing products) is received by the manufacturing team on time to ensure that the deliveries to the customer are met.

Firstly, I have developed CATIA modelling and draughting skills. These include basic part modelling as well as complex geometries and sheet metal components. Additionally, I gained Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics knowledge using Ansys Mechanical and Fluent. Finally, I have improved my interpersonal skills by networking with colleagues from my team as well as with associates from other departments.

Generally, I have received guidance on most tasks. However, I have been involved in the investigation of some model changes, which bear more responsibility. I have also performed analysis through hand calculation or computer software to evaluate the stress carried through a component under some loading.

I have received support from 2 streams: 1. My team has been very supportive in teaching me how to efficiently use the software packages. Also, they have taught me engineering best practice for modelling, draughting, writing technical documents etc. 2. I was involved in a "Breakfast Club" with all the placement students. There were monthly meetings, sometimes with industrial talks from associates from numerous departments, other times with improving our innovative skills etc.

The company culture has at its core "continuous improvement". Therefore, each worker is responsible for achieving improvement through new projects or refining existing projects. One of the main values is that we work on a no-blame culture. Thus, in case something goes wrong with an individual's work, the entire team works towards providing support to the individual to rectify the mistake.

I enjoyed my placement more than I expected. That doesn't mean I had low expectations, but the development opportunities provided were very diverse. However, I would have liked some testing or manufacturing exposure, which I have not been able to get.

Yes

Assessment Day Stage: At group exercises, quickly understand what the task is. Keep track of time and try to quickly come up with a rough plan of what needs to be done. Interview: Know everything in your CV. Be able to talk about what skills you developed from the projects in your CV. Know what, how and why you took certain decisions during projects.