Meet our engineers!

Both working at Thales Hengelo, one a bit longer than the other. Meet our engineers, Frank and Ellen!

Meet Frank

Frank studied electrical engineering at Saxion Hogeschool in Enschede, and now works for almost ten years at Thales. He started in 2009 at Thales right after his studies. “I started working here as a system test engineer. In this position I was responsible for drafting processes, testing systems and detecting errors in systems.” When Frank first began working at Thales he only possessed the basic knowledge. “At Thales, the technology is all very specific. So just out of school, I wasn’t nearly good enough. I have done many courses to gain the required specialist knowledge.” After ten years, he started in a new position as IVVQ manager. “IVVQ stands for Integration, Verification, Validation and Qualification, which means that I’m responsible for the whole test process. Started with the moment that a product is built, assembled, then picked up to the product and finally, delivered to the customer.”

Do you like your job?

“I’m in this position for one year now, so my current function is still a bit new to me. But the test process as a whole, is not new to me. That’s what I’ve been working in, since the beginning of my career at Thales. And now Meet Ellen Ellen studied applied physics at Saxion Hogeschool in Enschede. She is only working at Thales for six months now. “Before I started working here, I did my graduation assignment at Thales. During my graduation internship I worked on the thermal level, so I started working with dry air. We want the Thales systems, for example the radar, to continue to function optimally even in warm climates. After I graduated they offered me a job, so I had the opportunity to stick around. ”From July 2018, Ellen started as a Thermal Engineer. “I did not continue my assignment when I started as a Thermal Engineer, but I do notice that I can apply the knowledge to my new position. My graduation also helped me to get to learn the company Thales itself. For example some basics about the internal processes and which people I can ask for help.” How did you experience your graduation internship? “I experienced my internship as educational, interesting and enjoyable. Mainly because you can make a connection between theory and practice. I worked on my measurement set-up in the lab and compared the results with the theory. The great thing about an internship at Thales is that you get a lot of freedom to give substance to your assignment. But also get things done yourself and ask for guidance when needed.” I am responsible for a whole team. But what I overall experience at Thales is that I got a lot of challenges during my work and every day is different. For example, at one moment I am working with software and the other moment I’m working with hardware. I sometimes joke and say: one moment you are the plumber, the next you are an electrician and then you have to get to the system with your laptop to fix something. That versatility positively affects me.”

Was it easy to switch to another position?

“A co-worker really taught me all there is to know. He hired me at the time and together we have grown within the company. The process of getting a promotion really is a natural process. In my case it was easy, because I had been involved in the test process for some time. I never thought in advance that I would be allowed to hold this position with my electrical engineering diploma. But at Thales you discover where your strengths lie and you get the opportunity to develop yourself.”

What do you think of the corporate culture?

“At Thales there is a very open and casual atmosphere. Very relaxed actually. Many colleagues have also become friends of mine, because we often have to go abroad during our job. When you are on a work trip, you and your colleagues spend a lot of time together. Perfect to get to know each other a little better and build a connection.”

Meet Ellen

Ellen studied applied physics at Saxion Hogeschool in Enschede. She is only working at Thales for six months now. “Before I started working here, I did my graduation assignment at Thales. During my graduation internship I worked on the thermal level, so I started working with dry air. We want the Thales systems, for example the radar, to continue to function optimally even in warm climates. After I graduated they offered me a job, so I had the opportunity to stick around. ”From July 2018, Ellen started as a Thermal Engineer. “I did not continue my assignment when I started as a Thermal Engineer, but I do notice that I can apply the knowledge to my new position. My graduation also helped me to get to learn the company Thales itself. For example some basics about the internal processes and which people I can ask for help.”

How did you experience your graduation internship?

“I experienced my internship as educational, interesting and enjoyable. Mainly because you can make a connection between theory and practice. I worked on my measurement set-up in the lab and compared the results with the theory. The great thing about an internship at Thales is that you get a lot of freedom to give substance to your assignment. But also get things done yourself and ask for guidance when needed.”

What do you find characteristic of Thales?

“The openness of people. Everyone wants to help you where necessary and people are very friendly toward each other. Sometimes a colleague reaches out to you to ask you to join a certain meeting. Just because it might be important or useful for you in the future. Your coworkers really want to think with you. It makes you feel connected to each other as a team. You also know that you have many opportunities for growth within Thales. People are being stimulated to develop themselves as much as possible.“

Can you hold your own between all those men?

“We currently have two female interns at the department. So that’s nice! But normally I would indeed be the only woman. But I am not really bothered by that. I don’t have the feeling that my male colleagues look different at me because of the fact that I’m a woman. I feel part of the team and they are taking me serious.”