My engineering career began at Novatech Measurements shortly after leaving Hastings College at the age of eighteen. This was my first professional engineering role and provided a solid foundation in precision measurement, quality assurance, and electronic instrumentation.
During my first three years with the company, I was responsible for the calibration, testing, and quality verification of Novatech’s range of strain gauge-based force transducers and load cells. Working with high-precision measurement equipment, I developed a thorough understanding of sensor technology, calibration techniques, quality standards, and the importance of accuracy in engineering.
As my experience grew, I progressed into the Electronics Department, where I became involved in the design, construction, and maintenance of bespoke in-house test equipment used to support manufacturing and product development. I also began developing software using BBC BASIC on the BBC Micro, creating applications to automate testing, improve efficiency, and support engineering activities.
This role marked the beginning of my passion for electronics design, software development, and automated test systems—skills that have remained central to my engineering career for nearly four decades.