Chris Moore: AgustaWestland graduate

EMPLOYER AgustaWestland
UNIVERSITY BSc sports and materials sciences, University of Birmingham

After spending a second-year placement working with materials I knew it was the sector I wanted to be in. After I graduated I sent out speculative letters to companies with roles in this field and managed to get an interview with my current employer. I had also been thinking about postgraduate study but in my interview the company offered to sponsor me through a part-time MSc in aerospace materials while I worked.

My job

My job involves testing new materials for helicopter rotor blades to determine their properties. I also do small-scale investigations to develop theories or determine the causes of problems. This part of the job is interesting as it encompasses a wide range of areas.

I need good people skills as there’s a lot of interaction with other departments and team members. I’ve had to improve my maths as well, which I wasn’t expecting. I’ve also developed my engineering skills – you think you know a process well from studying it at university but it’s very different seeing it working with the actual machinery.

I also help to promote engineering to teenagers by visiting schools and running engineering-based activities. I really enjoy this part of my job as I feel I’m making a difference to the profession’s future.

My work environment

My time is split between the office, the lab and the factory floor so I’m never bored. My working hours are also good because I work flexitime. This means an early start for me Monday to Thursday but I leave at 12.30 pm on a Friday.

My first year in engineering

I have enjoyed the learning opportunities that I have had during my first year and I love working in an industry that really interests me. I have particularly enjoyed the opportunity to run engineering tests – it’s great to see results. When a new rotor blade ran for the first time after nine years of research it was amazing to see all the hard work being put into practice.