My role title is “Research & Development Design Engineer”. As the title suggests, a large part of my role was exploring novel ideas, as well as facilitating testing and validation of products. Due to the small nature of the start-up, I reported directly to the founder and CEO.
My contributions to the organisation often had the pattern of doing the necessary R&D on projects, before the company expands and hires a specialist. This was the case with the work I did on the design algorithm, the test sample collection, the experimental prototype creation, and will be true for the computer vision project that I pitched and started. Having the company explore and then invest into continuously developing and improving its product will make allow it to adapt and grow in the sports-wearable industry.
The design engineering skills and methods I applied during this placement included project management, software engineering, creative ideation, additive manufacturing, human centred design, and graphic design. The wide range of tasks and avenues for exploration that I came across provided ample opportunity for me to grow and learn the wide set of skills that design engineering entails.
