Profiles - Engineering

Stephen Close
MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of Surrey
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2009 - 2010
I am currently working in safeguarding which involves protecting our radar, voice communications systems and navigation aids against the effect of wind farm developments. Wind turbines can appear on the air traffic controller's radar displays as 'clutter' which can be very distracting and can have major safety implications. Wind turbines also have the effect of desensitising radar and navigation aids, plus creating 'noise' on the voice communications systems. Read more

My specific role focuses on project management and involves liaising with various sections within NATS, including external business, legal, air traffic management policy, surveillance, navigation and voice communications.

During my first placement, I researched equipment which is currently installed on aircraft for Communications Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) systems and looked to how this may change in the future. This allowed me to draw up a plan of when these systems are likely to be implemented so that NATS can, where necessary, modify their strategies. I worked independently to collect the data I need from various parts of the business. I needed to understand the basics of many of the systems being used and this gave me a strong grounding on which I have been able to build.

I also wrote a NATS En Route Plc (NERL) response to a document from International Air Transport Association (IATA) called 'User Requirement for Air Traffic Services'. This outlined NERL's position on various CNS systems with a view to holding further discussions with IATA to try to align the two positions.

The highlight for me has been the amount of new knowledge I've gained and the experience I've had since joining NATS. I've been given high levels of responsibility and built up strong relationships with various members of the business. I've also enjoyed the challenge of working life and developed many skills which I'll be able to apply both at university and in my future career as an engineer.

NATS really encourages individuals to succeed. I was given all the support I needed and took on new challenges. If you want to be part of a highly motivated team of successful engineers then NATS is definitely the place for you. As the ATC industry evolves across Europe, the technology at NATS will change which means you'll always be faced with new and exciting challenges. Industrial placement students and graduates are heavily involved with the development of these schemes, actively contributing and leading changes.

Ed Close
BSc Computer Science, University of Surrey
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2010 - 2011
I am currently two months into a six month placement on the iTEC project, part of Centres Asset Engineering at NATS. The iTEC project provides the future core computer system for our Air Traffic Control (ATC) operation. Being placed in one of the largest projects in NATS was initially daunting; in the first few weeks I read several sets of documents to give me a firm grounding of the project. However my managers were always very approachable and happy to sit down and have Q & A sessions with me whenever I needed to clarify my understanding. Read more

My focus over the first couple of weeks at NATS was to update one of the main architecture documents for the project. This involved working with a variety of people in the department as well as external contractors to accomplish this task. The system modelling work I had carried out at University proved beneficial for this task, with the work I have done at NATS further adding to that my knowledge of that field.

I was given the opportunity to develop a software tool to check that software builds we receive from our supplier contain the correct files, saving hundreds of hours worth of manual checking. A piece of work that I will shortly undertake involves using my database, programming and web design skills from University to create a web based system to quickly and easily view the formal status of the entire project.

I attend regular Engineering meetings with members of my own, and other departments. In addition, the opportunity arose to become involved in the review process for another project. It was a great opportunity to ask questions of senior engineers and managers from other projects as well as improving my analytical, questioning and investigative skills.

As a Placement Student at NATS you feel valued as a member of your team and are seen as an asset due to the variety of different skills that you have brought from University. NATS are keen to offer training in areas that may be beneficial to you and I have several training courses and site-visits planned.

What has really stood out to me at NATS is how highly skilled, knowledgeable and approachable the engineers I work with are. We have an excellent working environment which gives you the opportunity to take on interesting and varied work. You are expected to be fairly independent and manage your own time, a skill I have improved greatly since being here. At NATS it really isn't a case of placement students being forgotten about and left to do dull, repetitive, uninteresting work. The NATS Industrial Placement scheme is an excellent way to work on interesting and specialised projects as well as developing a broad skill-set to take back to university and I would highly recommend it.

Varinder Close
BSc(Hons) Aerospace Technology with Management, University of Hertfordshire
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2010 - 2011
I am currently three months into the first of two six month placements within the Asset Engineering department at NATS. I am working as part of the Infrastructure Asset Engineering team. Read more

During the past three months I have been warmly welcomed into the team and treated the same as everyone else. As part of my role, I have been working with airports and airlines to produce a cost benefit case study and have had the opportunity to contribute a core piece of NATS work as part of a larger initiative which is being supported by the European Space Agency.

During my first month I attended a two-day course to become familiar with Air Traffic Control. Later during the month all the Industrial Placement students visited the Swanwick Control Centre to see how air traffic management is done. NATS places great emphasis on personal development and working towards gaining chartership. I have worked at highly reputable aviation companies before but none of them come close to matching NATS on the number of personal development opportunities which are available.

From what I have experienced in the three months of working here, I can assure you that this is a company that should be considered as one of the elite places to work. Expectations are high, but the level of support that has been given to me is phenomenal. You won't consider yourself to be 'just an industrial placement student', but a valuable employee, one that any company would be glad to employ.

Michael Close
MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of Surrey
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2010 - 2011
I have now worked at NATS for over 2 months, and I have already learned a great amount about the air traffic control industry and the systems they use. I am part of the test team in the Simulators and Contingency Systems Department, and am working on the testing of a new flight data processing system. Read more

I have already contributed valued work, whereby I have been responsible to write test procedures for the new system on my own, with assistance from my supervisor when needed, and these documents have subsequently been added to the project archive to be used for future testing. I have also carried out some of the testing myself and reported the results back to my team.

The Engineering Industrial Placement scheme splits the year into two 6 month placements in different departments to get a wider view of the company and greater experiences. It also allows you to volunteer for various other projects such as arranging trips to airports and other activities.

Throughout the placement, you are encouraged to set yourself objectives as to what it is you are looking to achieve from the year, and your managers try their best to give you the experiences you want. You are also assigned a graduate as a buddy, which is a much more informal relationship, of whom you can ask the questions you may not want to ask your manager.

The relationship between all the placement students and graduates is a good one, with lots of social activities arranged from a simple pub lunch each week, to monthly nights out.

Matt Close
MEng Aerospace Engineering, University of Liverpool
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2010 - 2011
NATS has turned out to be a fantastic company to be with. It offers a friendly, helpful and relaxed environment to work in, even when dealing with senior managers and engineers. The "buddy system" makes sure that there's always someone who's recently been in your position to help you out and answer questions whenever needed. Read more

The NATS graduates not only help you out, but are also very social and are always inviting you along to the cinema, nights out, barbeques and weekend trips. You'll never feel lonely working at NATS! There's also an opportunity to get involved in sports and activities: football, basketball, squash, jogging groups, rowing, netball and a 24/7 gym. A great way to stay active and meet new people throughout the company.

It's my opinion that NATS, as an organisation, deals with an extremely interesting and important industrial area. There's a feeling of contributing towards something important shared by all the Industrial Placement students. I'm currently working on a radar data system which will be put into use in less than a year and on a data distribution document that'll be available in a month and be used by many NATS engineers for years to come. After being here for a short time I am already doing valuable work for my department and being treated as one of the team.

After 6 months with NATS I will be able to change to another area of my choice: Surveillance, Simulation, Airspace Management, Data Link or Voice Communication amongst many others. No matter what aspect of engineering you're interest in, there's a role in NATS that will suit you. You can also get involved in recruitment events, a vast list of training courses, organising trips and events for the other placement engineers. I can't imagine what my CV will look like at the end of this year!

Ben Close
BSc(Hons) Computing Informatics, University of Plymouth
Engineering Industrial Placement Scheme, 2010 - 2011
Over two months have passed since I first joined NATS for my placement year. My planned experience consists of two 6 month placements within Asset Engineering; my first has been in Voice Comms where I have been recognised as a valuable asset amongst my team. While working with friendly, approachable and talented colleagues, I have been given the opportunity to dive into a series of projects and learn the responsibilities of the Voice Comms department. This has involved attending weekly project meetings where my contributions have been valued and supported 100%. Furthermore support is available at all times when solving actions assigned to me. Read more

I have had the opportunity to be involved with a project critical to the successful operation of NATS. Already, I have had some hands-on experience delivering equipment essential for the success of the project. This has included visiting manufacturers to receive training, taking part in installations and performing equipment testing.

My experience with NATS does not stop there. I have been given the opportunity to present, organise and develop aspects of the Industrial Placement and Graduate scheme for future intakes. While work is the priority, the social aspect of the scheme is encouraged through regular outings with other students and graduates.

In my opinion, NATS has already given me a life changing experience, from professional business practise to dealing with external relationships with clients. I believe by the end of my placement year I will return to University with vital experience that companies would appreciate upon graduation.