Ask an Engineer – Patrycja

What is your current role and what do you enjoy most about it?

My current role is CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) Support Engineer. The most enjoyable thing in my role is getting to see my work creation being used by others. The demanding requests are giving me an opportunity to discover new possibilities. When I do something for the first time, it seems complicated. The working outcome is giving me the power to work harder. Our manufacturing software is an endless learning subject.

What did you do before your current role/how did you get the qualifications you needed?

I’ve been working for Plessey in various roles. The most former was a Manufacturing Supervisor. The experience and knowledge built over the years of working in different departments gave me the urge to learn more from a background perspective.

My studies are not related to the field I am working in. However, some skills I could transfer into this role.

What attracted you to apply for a position at Plessey?

When I started using our manufacturing software, it felt like MATRIX. So many new things to explore. The position was advertised, and I saw my chance to see the other side of the process.

What do you do on a typical day?

My day starts with checking the messages and requests. There are situations when an urgent request is sent my way, and I need to prioritise my work.

Mostly I’m attached to my desk. Setting up new process flows, maintaining and updating existing ones. Ensuring consistency in the setup of operations, recipes, procedures, and parts.

What has been the highlight of working at Plessey?

I’ve been working for the company since 2005. The greatest highlight is the people creating this firm. In difficult times everybody took a pay cut to keep their colleagues’ jobs. This was exceptional teamwork. Hard work and some good decisions helped the business thrive. I’m proud to be part of it.

What advice would you give to a young engineer at the start of their career?

Stay open to new challenges. There will be plenty of learning opportunities. Take it! But if something is not going as it should, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Where in the world did you relocate from? Do you enjoy living in the South West?

I was born and grew up in Poland in Silesian’s city called Bytom. I came to Plymouth to celebrate Christmas with my husband. Plan was to stay for a couple of weeks… Here I am, nearly 19 years later.

I love the South West. Plymouth’s location couldn’t have been better. The sea, the Moors, and the Cornwall just over the bridge. We like to travel to explore new places. Long walks along the coastline are amazing. Having two dogs makes hiking even more enjoyable.