Scholar Profile – Alex

What appeals to you about electronics?

My interest in electronics started with building and upgrading my own PCs, which made me curious about what was actually happening inside the components I was putting together. That curiosity led me to study engineering, and during my degree I found myself most drawn to digital design. What appeals to me most is that electronics is constantly evolving, with new technology emerging all the time, so I believe a career in it is unlikely to become repetitive. My placement at Rolls-Royce reinforced this, as there was always something new to learn.

Why did you choose Rolls-Royce?

I was drawn to Rolls-Royce because it offered a placement working on FPGA and digital design, which had been my favourite area at university. Digital design is a highly sought after field, and placements offering hands-on experience in it are not easy to find. On top of that, Rolls-Royce’s reputation and the chance to learn from experienced engineers whose work powers aircraft all over the world made it an easy choice.

My placement

During my placement, I worked on VHDL designs for safety-critical aerospace motor drive systems, developed to DO-254 standards. This gave me a much deeper understanding of both digital design and how motor drives are controlled. Alongside the design work, I wrote formal reports and presented my work to the team. Working alongside experienced engineers showed me how hardware is developed in a real industrial setting, where every design decision has to be justified and documented. Applying the theory from my degree to real products was very rewarding, and I finished the year far more confident in my abilities as an engineer.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Outside of work, I enjoy creating my own electronics projects, as I have my own setup at home. It’s a great way to try out ideas that I don’t get the chance to explore at university or work, and to keep building my skills in my own time. When I want to switch off, I enjoy reading and playing games with friends, which is a nice way to relax while staying social.