What path has your career taken since graduation? 

After graduating, I joined a start-up company called Lenz Labs as one of two Electromechanical Engineers, where I contributed to the development of their Traction Hub technology for the rail industry. When Lenz Labs decided to close its hardware division, I transitioned to a temporary role at Synchrostor, another start-up, as a Mechanical Engineer. There, I supported the development of a novel energy storage system before moving on to my current position as a Consultant at Knightec Group.

What is your current role?

I am currently a consultant at Knightec Group in Linköping, Sweden, working within the Hardware & Design business unit. In this role, I support BAE Systems Hägglunds as a full-time Vetronics Design Engineer, contributing to the development of current and future vehicle systems for military and civil security applications.

My primary responsibility is managing the Engineering Change Order (ECO) process, focusing on vehicle electronics systems. This involves tasks such as routing cabling, designing enclosures for electronic equipment, and developing mounting hardware. As part of this process, I implement technical improvements to existing designs and address manufacturing-related design issues.

A typical week includes solving ECOs, navigating the engineering review process, and participating in team meetings to discuss ongoing work. Additionally, I act as a point of contact for the production line, assisting in troubleshooting design or documentation issues to prevent production delays.

What experiences do you feel helped you get to your current position?

I believe my current position is the result of a combination of all my experiences and the challenges I’ve embraced both academically and professionally, rather than any specific accomplishments. However, if I were to highlight one example, it would be my role as Emergency Braking Project Manager at The University of Edinburgh Hyperloop Team (HYPED) during my second year of studies. This experience was a key stepping stone in my development as an engineer, allowing me to experience and learn from practical engineering challenges while building teamwork and leadership skills. It also provided a unique and impactful addition to my CV, which has been a valuable talking point in interviews.

How have you used the skills and/or knowledge developed during your degree in your career?

While I don’t often use the electrical and mechanical concepts at the same level of detail as I was taught at university, the knowledge and skills I developed during my degree have provided a solid foundation for my work. At the start-up companies, I frequently relied on first principles from my studies to tackle complex engineering problems. Today, I draw on the intuition I gained during my degree to quickly assess what is likely to work, enabling me to deliver effective solutions to a variety of challenges.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in your area of work?

University is the perfect time to challenge yourself and explore new opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone. Join a society or club, like an engineering group, where you'll face unique challenges and grow both technically and personally. Take courses that genuinely interest you, even if they're outside your primary field of study, because they can broaden your perspective and inspire unexpected passions (I, for example, took Quantum Physics for Electronic Materials during my year abroad). Don’t be afraid to take risks, whether by joining a start-up or pursuing unconventional projects, as these experiences often lead to the most rewarding growth. At the same time, stay true to yourself; don’t follow paths just because others are taking them. Trust your instincts and make decisions that align with your values and goals, you are more capable than you realise.

This profile was published in January 2025