Projects & Experience

In 2019, at the company WAVELABS Meteorology Systems GmbH, in Leipzig, Germany, I was tasked with developing a prototype of a fully automated solar module testing machine, which could in the future, be integrated into solar module production lines, although this one would be delivered to a research institute in Germany.

The machine was to include,

• Fully automated solar module loading and unloading system
• Class A++ solar simulator
• IV Measurement capabilities
• Electroluminescence measurement capabilities

At the time, my own lack of past experience in this type of role, and the fact that this machine was only an idea before I started, ensured that this was my biggest career challenge to date. An incredible learning experience, both professionally and personally, I discovered that I posses a steely determination to get the job done. I also discovered that through my enthusiasm, and love for all things engineering, I can be quite a good leader of small technical teams.

The machine was delivered to the customer, albeit a little late, but fulfilling all of the agreed specifications, and is currently working as a vital part of our fight against climate change, through the ongoing research and development of solar cell and module materials.

To date, this is the project I am most proud of. As it turns out, maybe all of the blood, sweat and tears, might just have been worth it in the end.

In 2018, my first assignment as a freelancing engineer at the company WAVELABS Meteorology Systems GmbH, in Leipzig, Germany, was to prepare a small prototype solar simulator for series production.

This involved developing and documenting the manufacturing, calibration and FAT processes, to ensure both device specification accuracy and repeatability, before handing the device over to the series production, and after sales departments.

This project lasted for approximately 1 year, and it was my first introduction into solar and meteorology systems. Looking back, I feel that I learned more in this year, than I had in the previous 10.

It was a crazy time at WAVELABS, which was growing exponentially, and establishing itself as a serious player within its field. It was also the first time that I had had the opportunity to work, surrounded by real experts in their fields, who were just as excited to teach, as I was to learn. A great and memorable time.

This product, the Sinus 70, is still one of the device offerings from WAVELABS.

Between 2012 – 2016, I worked as a service engineer for both the Australian, and German representatives of the Belgian company, LVD, suppliers of machinery to the sheet metal industry including,

• Laser cutting machinery
• Turret punching machinery
• Press brakes
• Specialised hydraulic presses
• Guillotines
• Fully automated warehousing and load / unload systems

Between 2009 – 2012, I worked as a maintenance technician for the large scale metal processing company, Locker Group in Melbourne, Australia.

Here I carried and day to day maintenance of several large scale CNC hydraulic presses, while also implementing a continuous improvement strategy in terms of machine up time, production quality and efficiency.