Customer Support and Services Engineer Review

My role involved delivering specific engineering tasks to improve the supportability of an in service product. The scope of work was extremely broad and varied week to week. No one day was the same. This role also involved communicating with the customer regularly to discuss key developments and opportunities regarding the supportability of the product.

Project Management - During my placement I had ownership over a variety of tasks. Ensuring I could effectively manage them and continue to progress all of them equally was challenging. Doing so definitely improved my resolve and management skills. Communication - Whilst in my 10 month placement there wasn't one day I wasn't working with someone else or within a team. Communication within the role was key to finding important information and also to effectively deliver presentations.

My line manager was extremely clear from day one that it was his intention that I was given the same responsibility as a full time employee and had work to do every day. I held ownership over a variety of projects during my 10 months at the company all of which I felt were significant / actually contributed towards something. Tasks weren't made up specially, any task I did would've been completed by another member of the team had I not been hired.

The support I received predominantly came from within my team. Any help I needed regarding work was given promptly and helped me get back on track. That's not to say support wasn't available outside of my work circle. The company assigns you a "buddy" on day one that you are encouraged to reach out to with any concerns or issues regarding the role, company. I found it helpful to communicate regularly with my "buddy" and air any issues you cant discuss with your work colleagues.

General atmosphere and company culture was welcoming, respectful and innovative. It was very easy to get settled in within the company as an ECP (Early Careers Programme) member. All of the ECP's are welcomed into the company straight away and treated within respect at this first stage of their careers. A general theme of self betterment and striving for improvement was also prevalent within the company. Everyone wanted to be better and deliver work to their highest standards.

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement. There were definitely points were I didn't have enough work to do and or the work I had wasn't the most interesting however looking back the whole experience has been fantastic. The opportunities I've had within my role has surpassed any expectations including travel around the UK and as well as aboard. Furthermore getting a window in the defence industry was invaluable and has given me helpful insight into what roles I may want to look into in the future.

Yes

I would recommend doing a lot of research into the company specifically which products the company design and produce. MBDA provide all the information online on all the types of product they make as well as for which branch of the military they are for. Learning all MBDA's products is important as they are the bread and butter of the company and ultimately no matter what role you apply for, will be what you are working on every day your at the company.