Meet Peter, Product Support Engineer at Chemring Energetics UK (CEUK) in Ardeer, Scotland. Here, Peter talks about his journey into a product design engineering career, his aspiration to gain CEng status, and his proudest career moment working on the new C-IED Osprey Cutter product.
Tell us a bit about your current role
In my role as a Product Support Engineer, I apply a variety of engineering methods to create new products and deliver various predesigned products in full compliance with HSE guidelines.
I also design documentation, including product specifications, technical reports, test/trial procedures and plans for highly specific and world-leading products. As well as designing technical requirements, technical risk registers, and technical programmes.
My role involves a lot of collaboration with other teams, and I frequently work with other manufacturing/product engineers and departments. Together, we ensure all products are designed to deliver a technically compliant product to cost and on time and to the high-quality standards held by Chemring.
How did you get into this career?
I studied Product Design Engineering (MEng) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, graduating in 2019.
Initially, I hadn’t even heard of Product Design Engineering (PDE). Throughout my final school years, I had been adamant that I was going to study a more traditional Mechanical Engineering course, as I thought that’s what ‘real engineering’ was. It wasn’t until I attended a University of Strathclyde open day that I stumbled across the Design, Manufacturing & Engineering Management (DMEM) department’s stand, and it opened me up to a different route in engineering.
My dad helped me realise that I would be better suited to the PDE course. It not only offered me a technical engineering focus but also let me get involved with something that encouraged creativity, designing, and creating new and exciting functional products.
During my time at the University of Strathclyde, I landed a placement with MAHLE Engineering Systems as a Mechanical Design Engineer Intern. Through them, I was able to practice my university-taught skills in a real-world, high-paced engineering environment for the first time. I was tasked with developing and improving the performance of one of their main production line machines.
This experience was invaluable as, through it, I gained a greater appreciation and understanding of the challenges faced within the engineering industry. I could use this knowledge and experience to support my final year at Strathclyde before graduating.
Upon graduating, I joined Belcan’s maritime engineering team, supporting BAE Systems, to develop and deliver the T26 naval frigate. This role really broadened my experience from detailed design activities and producing engineering documentation to liaising with the client, answering technical queries, and a short stint leading a team of 25 detail designers.
When you first started at Chemring, did you have a clear vision of what you wanted for your career?
My previous role prior to Chemring provided me with the opportunity to develop both technical and soft skills. However, I was motivated to transition into a role which offered more challenge. One that provided opportunities to work across various stages of the product lifecycle rather than just solely detail design. This is what attracted me to the Product Support Engineer role at Chemring, as the work focuses on other elements of engineering, including product development, testing and analysis. These are areas I particularly enjoyed during my time at Strathclyde.
It is a goal of mine to acquire CEng status, so when I joined Chemring in 2021, I knew I wanted to get involved with the type of engineering and project work that would enable me to meet the competency criteria set by the UK-SPEC. Through this, I have been able to get involved in some interesting projects, like the C-IED Osprey Cutter - a new product CEUK has recently brought to market, which will be used to remove IED threats.
Exposure to projects like this one continues to motivate me to branch out and become involved in other projects. By doing so, I strongly believe this will improve my abilities as an engineer and will allow me to become a more well-rounded professional.
What advice would you give to anybody starting a career in Chemring today?
I would pass on what was advised to me when I started with Chemring. Throw yourself into every learning and development opportunity that comes your way to get the most out of your career with Chemring. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, but instead seek them out. This may sound like a cliché, but speaking from someone who has used this advice, I’ve since taken part in some exciting projects and been able to visit new places and meet new people that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to do if I hadn’t put myself out there.
It’s hugely satisfying to be contributing to products like the Osprey C-IED Cutter. Products which people can rely on to make the world a safer place, in this instance, by removing IED threats. I look forward to providing my continued support now that the product is on the market.