To find out how things work 
Having studied Physics with Computer Science at the University of Southampton, I decided to stay at university to complete a PhD in medical imaging and detector simulation. My interest in Physics partly stems from a curiosity to find out how things work, or at least the rules and laws that describe their behaviour.
VEGA sounded like an interesting and dynamic place to work, that was both flexible and full of diversity and opportunity. After meeting them, I felt assured that there would be plenty of chances for learning new skills and keeping up my interests.
Plenty to keep me busy
Since joining VEGA in 1996, my work has been very project based. The projects that I have been involved with have been based around VEGA's emulation technology, which is often used for training maintenance technicians how to diagnose and fix faults. I've helped produce, maintain and modify software emulations of radio equipment (right down to voltages on components such as resistors, IC chips, etc), radars, flight computers, armoured vehicles and aircraft. There's plenty of opportunity for me to learn how all these different systems function as we have to attain an in-depth knowledge of equipment in order to develop an emulation. Besides this, I have also worked on bid teams and represented VEGA at exhibitions and conferences.
My current role is that of technical manager for an electrical diagnostic trainer, which VEGA is developing for a global defence prime contractor. We are producing a desktop emulation and physical mock-up to support training. I'm particularly enjoying this project as, amongst other things, I was involved with the bid team that won the work and it's good to see the whole project lifecycle. So, I've plenty to keep me busy for the following year! After that? Well, there are plenty of opportunities within VEGA to continue working in this particular field or divert into other interests.
Challenging each other
Working with other project team members can be very rewarding. I find working in such a team-orientated culture very inspiring. We continuously challenge each other and not only in a professional context. Social events are frequently organised either through project teams or company wide, and always cause plenty of entertainment! Although I've given up participating in the Welwyn office’s weekly football matches, I play a little basketball and regularly go 10-pin bowling with the project team.
Ample opportunity
During my time at VEGA I’ve had ample opportunity to develop my technical skills, notably: design, object oriented programming, databases and also specifying and setting up IT hardware in classrooms. Working in an ISO 9001 environment has also helped me develop other skills, such as the writing of procedures, documentation and traceability. All of which are key to efficiently delivering high quality services that our clients value.
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