Designing what doesn't exist yet

“As a Mechanical Engineer I oversee all the mechanical aspects and I make sure everything runs smoothly. Right now, we're working on a camera project. My team and I design the housing and heat sink, to keep it cool and insulated. We also handle the optical mechanics to ensure the light hits the camera sensor correctly, which means that we have to work with very tight tolerances in many parts.”

Sounds complex! Can you explain the camera project in simple terms?

“Sure. The camera we're developing is roughly the size of half a shoebox. It’s sensitive to deep ultraviolet light and it will be used in the chip manufacturing industry. Our camera is actually a big detector, with a lot of electronics. It processes large amounts of data and our client can use this information to demonstrate or prove how precise their machines are.”

It seems like your work environment is quite specialized…

“Yes! We have a lab and a cleanroom where we build our products in an extra clean environment, to avoid contamination. It's quite meticulous work, requiring suits and masks. The setup includes workbenches and storage racks where we assemble and test our prototypes.”

That's fascinating. What drives you to do this kind of work?

“What I find so cool about my work is that clients come to Prodrive with a very specific problem. I then have to come up with ideas and products that don’t exist yet. Making something out of nothing, I love that. I also like working with my hands and I love all the technical challenges it brings. Having to solve complex problems and bringing innovative solutions to life keeps me motivated.”

And what are some of the challenges you face in your role? 

"One challenge is to maintain a balance between desk work and hands-on tasks. I don’t like being in an office 40 hours per week; I enjoy getting my hands dirty and seeing the tangible results of my work. Sometimes, long stretches of computer work can be draining, so I enjoy moments where I can get back to the factory. 

Another challenge is that product development takes a lot of time. Progress sometimes feels slow, even though I know that each step is necessary. Then I get impatient and want to use my hands and actually build something."

How does it feel when you finally see a project come together? 

“It’s incredibly rewarding. Seeing a product we’ve worked on for months finally in my hands and functioning as intended, that’s a huge thrill.”

If you had to sum up working at Prodrive in three words, what would they be? 

“I’d have to say: challenging, because the work challenges me for sure, in a positive way. Secondly, it’s flexible, because my hours aren’t really fixed. If I want to go to the gym during the day, I just work a little longer in the evening. And also, the word ‘complete’ comes to mind, because I can work on a product from the first idea until the production. That’s really awesome.”

What advice would you give to new employees at Prodrive?

“Don’t hesitate to ask your colleagues questions! There’s so much expertise here, and people are always willing to share. Also, it’s a good idea to take the time to understand the production processes, as it will significantly improve your design approach.”