AEROSPACE ENGINEERS FACING OFFSHORE INSTALLATION CHALLENGES
YOU WILL SEE YOUR IDEAS COME TO LIFE AT AN AMAZING PACE Q&A with Pieter Beishuizen PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - 8 YEARS AT TWD
Can you tell us why you dreamed of being admitted to the faculty of Aerospace Engineering as a kid? “I always had an interest in engineering in all sectors: ranging from mechanical to ships but also aircraft and steel constructions. Out of maritime, mechanical and civil engineering, aerospace seemed the most challenging, so I went for that”. How do you look back on your studies? “Initially as very difficult. The first years are a lot of theory (calculus, linear algebra) while I was more inclined to the practical and design aspects. Now I am actually using a lot of the analytical tools since in my current role I am responsible for helping out on the most challenging projects we do at TWD. Having the analytical background to explain and verify the practical solutions I try to come up with is a nice combination”. How did you end up at TWD and not somewhere else, more in line with your education? “During my master I already started realizing that even though I find the high tech engineering in the aircraft industry very interesting, the slow pace between development and introduction into the market was not something that I was looking for in a job. I started looking around for companies like Huisman when I encountered recruitment agency Supair at the Delftse Bedrijvendagen. They arranged an interview at TWD and I got the job the same day“. What kind of benefits do you have as an Aerospace Engineering graduate which you can use in the offshore installation industry? “For me it is the diversity of courses that can be followed and that I also deliberately picked. From thermodynamics, aerodynamics (which is basically the same as what happens with water on offshore structure, just a different density), structural analysis, hydraulics and mechanisms (like flaps or landing gear, and their actuation, locking and redundancy principles) to the application of control theory in for instance motion compensation systems“. Why should Aerospace Engineers apply for a job at TWD? “It can be just as or even more challenging than working in the aerospace or any other industry. One of the main differences and big advantage is that you will see your ideas come to life at an amazing pace. And in general, if you are able to get a degree in Aerospace Engineering, you have the ability to learn some of the specific skills that are required in our niche industry of offshore installation engineering“.
BECOME PART OF MULTIPLE INTERESTING, CHALLENGING AND FUN PROJECTS OVER THE YEAR
Q&A with Myron Beukelman ENGINEER - 1 YEAR AT TWD
Can you tell us why you dreamed of being admitted to the faculty of Aerospace Engineering as a kid? “As a kid, I have always been interested in how machinery works and how they were made. With the fact that I was quite good in mathematics and like to learn new things, it was written out for me that I would study engineering. From all the engineering disciplines at the TU Delft, aerospace engineering seemed most interesting, challenging, and fun to me”. How do you look back on your studies? “Looking back at the aerospace engineering bachelors I can definitely say it was difficult for me, as it took me five years to graduate. But in the end, I had an enormous amount of fun and I’m glad that I was part of it. Currently, I am still studying aerospace engineering, the master track Aerospace Structures and Materials. In the near future, I will start with my thesis and next year I hope I can proudly let everyone know at TWD that I have graduated!” How did you end up at TWD and not somewhere else, more in line with your education? “As part of the masters I had to apply for an internship. During the Delftse Bedrijvendagen I visited some companies, TWD was among them. When it was time to decide to which companies I would submit an application, I decided to give them all a go and see who replies first. As you can guess, TWD contacted me first. We arranged a job interview. I got the internship at the TWD’s Marine department, and when my internship came to an end, TWD offered me a job”. What kind of benefits do you have as an Aerospace Engineering graduate which you can use in the offshore installation industry? “The vast variety of courses showing how to design a machine in extreme conditions. The difference between aerospace and maritime to me is the medium in which it operates, air and water. Together with the variety of courses the amount of them is making aerospace engineering a challenge as you have to process lots of new information in a limited amount of time. As an aerospace engineering graduate in the offshore installation industry, you also have to learn lots of new things in a limited amount of time. Next to this a different engineering background also gives you the opportunity to take a look at problems from an aerospace engineering perspective”. Why should Aerospace Engineers apply for a job at TWD? “If you are up for a challenge, want to keep learning and actually see the things you helped create come to life, TWD is the place to be! Within the aerospace industry, the pace at which products come to completion is a lot lower compared to the offshore installation industry. At TWD you can become part of multiple interesting, challenging and fun projects over the year”.
CREATING A GREENER FUTURE Q&A with Ahmed Tork ENGINEER - 1 YEAR AT TWD
Can you tell us why you dreamed of being admitted to the faculty of Aerospace Engineering as a kid? “As a kid I was always fascinated by space and engineering. Growing up I realized that aerospace engineering was the engineering combination that I wanted to pursue, as it is the perfect mix between space and engineering”. How do you look back on your studies? “At the beginning of the study it was a bit challenging with a high paced learning but you get used to it. We also had a lot of group projects where we designed spacecraft, aircraft and even a futuristic hovering bike (unfortunately not produced) which allowed you to put all the knowledge you gained into a design and that’s what I liked the most”. How did you end up at TWD and not somewhere else, more in line with your education? “While doing my studies I found out that I am more attracted to the designing aspects of engineering. For aircraft and spacecraft designs that means that the waiting time to see your design coming together and being built can take years as it goes through a rigorous certification process. I joined TWD because of the diversity of the projects performed so you can see the different design solutions and challenges. Moreover, at TWD the waiting timeto see your design come to life is lower compared to aircraft industry”. What kind of benefits do you have as an Aerospace Engineering graduate which you can use in the offshore installation industry? “In aerospace you learn a lot of different courses that can help in analyzing the design from different points of view (structural, control and aerodynamics) and aspects. This allows you to have a better awareness of the design choices that are made. The same process can be performed in offshore industry designs”. Why should Aerospace Engineers apply for a job at TWD? “Joining TWD will allow you to see new design challenges in the offshore industry and their innovative solutions and ideas to overcome it. Working for TWD also allows to create a greener future by designing installation tools for offshore wind farms”.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST IT IS FUN! Q&A with Jan de Klerk
ENGINEERING MANAGER - UK OFFICE - 9 YEARS AT TWD
Can you tell us why you dreamed of being admitted to the faculty of Aerospace Engineering as a kid? “I have always been interested in engineering in general, so it was quite certain I would go to a technical university. I chose aerospace engineering because I think aircrafts and spacecraft are fascinating examples of optimized designs that bring together many engineering disciplines”. How do you look back on your studies? “It definitely was challenging, but overall I had a very good time”. How did you end up at TWD and not somewhere else, more in line with your education? “After my studies I was looking in 2 directions: the aircraft industry and the offshore industry. Offshore drew my attention because of the many interesting structures and machines they use. Moreover, it is a large and advanced sector in the Netherlands. During my job search I met with a study friend of mine who was working at TWD at that time. He was so enthusiastic about his job at TWD that I decided to apply. What kind of benefits do you have as an Aerospace Engineering graduate which you can use in the offshore installation industry? “Aerospace engineering gave me a solid basis in mechanics and structural engineering. This is knowledge I still use multiple times a day. The multidisciplinary nature of aerospace engineering also matches well with the offshore industry”. Why should Aerospace Engineers apply for a job at TWD? “Working at TWD is rewarding, because of the responsibility you get and the relatively short turnaround of projects, making it possible to see your design within weeks or months. It is challenging, because of the smart decisions you have to take to make the designs possible, every time again. Last but not least: it is fun. I really enjoy the projects and the atmosphere at the company. I like being around my colleagues, during work or at one of the plenty company activities or drinks”.
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