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Celebrating Engineers: RDDS Engineer Interviews

Introduction

At RDDS Avionics, our engineers play a vital role in designing, developing, and refining cutting-edge avionics solutions. To celebrate the incredible work they do, we sat down with some of our engineers to gain insight into their experiences, challenges, and what drives them in their careers.

 

Tom Oakes – Mechanical Engineering Team Leader

How long have you been at RDDS?

I’ve been at RDDS for 3 years now. I started as a Mechanical Design Engineer before becoming the Mechanical Engineering Team Leader in Autumn 2023.

What does your job entail?

The main duties of the mechanical engineering team revolve around designing the housings for the electronics and components that RDDS develops. This involves considerations such as thermal management, structural integrity, and IP ratings.

Since RDDS produces bespoke solutions tailored to customer needs, every unit has unique requirements, which keeps the work interesting. Of course, engineering also involves a lot of paperwork, but that’s just part of the process.

Why did you become an engineer and what do you enjoy about it?

I have family members who are engineers, and hearing about the products they worked on piqued my interest. I’ve always enjoyed maths, physics, and technology, so engineering was a natural fit. What I love about this field is the problem-solving aspect. Every project presents different challenges, keeping the work engaging and rewarding.

James Simpson – Electrical Design Apprentice

What type of engineer are you?

I’m an electrical design apprentice, mainly focusing on PCB and systems design. As an apprentice, my specialisation is still quite broad, but I’m learning quickly.

What are your tasks?

As an apprentice, a lot of my work involves supporting the engineers. Right now, I’m assisting a colleague on a new project for one of top customers, where I’m designing and documenting a set of test harnesses for EMC and quality testing.
I also handle documentation, such as writing Engineering Change Notice (ECN) documents to log design modifications made by the team.

Any challenges at RDDS?

One of the main challenges is that when we are very busy it can be hard to maintain a balanced work schedule, for both the team and management. However, whenever I face a problem,

I can always turn to my colleagues for guidance, and they’re always happy to help.

Technical skills?

CAD design skills are essential in my role. Most designs are created and communicated through these tools, making proficiency in them crucial. We also have access to industry magazines in our office to keep up with the latest advancements.

Collaboration and teamwork?

Communication is straightforward at RDDS—whether through face-to-face conversations, small meetings, emails, or Teams. Recently, a colleague and I worked on designing equipment for the lab upstairs. We organised weekly meetings to track our progress and plan next steps. To ensure transparency, we documented our work in lab reports so others could understand and replicate our designs if needed.

Get In Touch

See Our Engineers Designs In Action

RDDS Avionics Limited

Marlowe House, Whitstable,

Kent CT53FE, United Kingdom

E-Mail: Sales@rdds.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1843 233 030