ETL Systems recently had the pleasure of hosting a group of bright and ambitious engineering students from NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering), as part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing early careers.
NMITE and ETL Systems collaborated on a three-week project, designed to give students practical exposure to advanced SATCOM technologies and challenge them with real-world engineering scenarios.
During their time at ETL’s Herefordshire HQ, the students took part in activities such as design evaluations, manufacturing walkthroughs and problem-solving sessions. Students received a project brief from our Production Engineering Manager, Steve Uppington, to create a mechanical solution to help streamline the RF module testing process.
Following their site visit and briefing, the students returned to NMITE’s campus to begin designing and developing their solution.
The Real-World Application Project: Streamlining RF Module Testing
Working in teams, the students developed innovative solutions using robotic pick-and-place machinery, integrating alignment and position sensors to ensure precision and efficiency. Safety was a key theme, with several teams incorporating light beam sensors and emergency stop buttons to meet industrial safety standards.
Software programming played a major role in their solutions. Students wrote code to control motor movements, enabling devices to stop at predefined set points, which is a critical feature in automated manufacturing.
One team went a step further by integrating LED display panels to provide real-time feedback and system status updates, demonstrating a strong understanding of user interface design and embedded systems.
The projects reflected a thoughtful approach to design for manufacturing, with students considering how their concepts could be scaled and integrated into ETL’s production environment. Their energy, creativity, and eagerness to learn shone through – a glimpse into the promising future of engineering talent.
ETL’s Production Engineering Support and Leadership Presence
A highlight of the week was the excellent support from our Production Engineering team. Steve Uppington played a pivotal role in assessing and mentoring the students; offering guidance and encouragement that helped the students connect their academic learning to practical manufacturing processes.
Steve was supported by Dan Matthews, one of our passionate Production Engineers, who brought a wealth of knowledge and energy to the sessions. Dan’s enthusiasm for helping students understand the importance of designing for manufacturability was infectious, and his insights into how future designs could enhance ETL products were invaluable.
We were also delighted to welcome Joanna Gower, our Director of HR, People and Culture, who joined the activities to show her continued support for ETL’s Early Careers Programme. Joanna’s presence reinforced the strategic importance of nurturing future talent and her engagement was greatly appreciated by both students and staff.
