At ING Robotic Aviation, I worked as a technician alongside engineers on a wide range of UAV projects. My work was very hands-on and included manufacturing parts, building prototypes, making molds, repairing equipment, and supporting testing in the field.
I also helped with lighter engineering work and spent a lot of time making sure that the designs could actually be manufactured with the tools, materials, and processes available to the company. That often meant adjusting the manufacturing approach, finding practical alternatives, and working closely with engineers to turn an idea into something that could be built.
My role also included a fair amount of administrative and shop work. I spoke with suppliers, sourced materials and components, compared prices, looked for better deals, and helped keep the shop and its equipment organized and operational.
Because the company worked on many different projects, I often had to adapt quickly. I tried to approach problems creatively, work efficiently, and use the resources available rather than relying on an ideal process that was not realistic for the shop.
I was also involved in field testing and in-field repairs, where problems had to be solved quickly with whatever resources were available. That experience taught me a lot about practical aircraft manufacturing and about the difference between designing something on paper and making sure it can actually be built, repaired, and used in the real world.