Jill Kempton: DSTL graduate

Employer: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
University: Queen’s University Belfast
Subject: MEng mechanical and manufacturing engineering (2009)

My job combines my interest in defence with a love of technology. I secured my role in part thanks to a sandwich year at university in a design office for industrial diesel engines: while not directly related, I gained practical experience and confidence in my work.

Engineering that contributes to defence decisions

My company researches answers to questions that the MoD, among other government departments, asks us about capabilities and I enjoy being able to contribute to key defence decisions.

I work in the future strike team on air-to-ground weapons systems, helping both with immediate procurement questions (comparing what we already have with what we could potentially buy) and contributing towards developments for the future. This can include modelling targets using 3D CAD packages and writing code to solve complex mathematical problems.

Systems analysis

One significant aspect of my work is systems analysis – this involves looking at the big picture as regards weapons systems, such as how their performance is affected by their environment. This includes how they perform against different targets, how well they can be used from different aircraft and how effective they are in different conditions.

For example, I’m working on a project assessing the capability of future weapons systems with the aim of developing technology that will function well in all weather, day and night, under strict rules of engagement. A highlight of the project was finishing a large piece of analysis that formed the case for going forward with two particular weapons systems options. The MoD has now taken these forward and an announcement has been made by the secretary of state for defence so I feel I’ve made a valuable contribution.

Unusual aspects of my graduate job

I’m largely office based; however, one of the more unusual aspects of my job is watching weapons systems trials from time to time, which tend to happen in big fields in the middle of nowhere. I’ve also been into a local school twice to lead experiments in maths and physics lessons, which I particularly enjoyed.

Engineering, maths and physics graduates work together

The biggest surprise on starting work was how important teamwork is: I spend about 80 per cent of my time working individually and enjoy having the freedom to tackle my own pieces of analysis in the way that I think best. However, I’m very much part of a team and our work all feeds into each others’. We have a range of different backgrounds – engineering, maths and physics – which is very useful.

Getting to grips with the military

Training has included some fascinating topics. I’ve watched the army demonstrate how it overcomes problems in the field, got to grips with how the military is structured and learned about ‘tactical data links’ – the communications system the military uses to pull together its information, for example to link an aircraft’s data with troops on the ground.