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Opening doors

John wanted to be an RAF pilot, but when it became clear his colour blindness meant that wasn’t an option, he decided to become an engineer instead. He used his ELS funds on a tour of five US aerospace companies, which helped set his future course, noting, “it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been on the scheme. The ELS programme opened doors”.

How the ELS helped...

Additional skills: “All of the training and development that we got through the programme added to my technical university skillset. I was able to deal with people, problems and projects that most degrees don’t focus on.”

Breadth: “Gaining an awareness of the breadth of engineering opportunities means that when you’re starting work, you’re more competent than if you just had a degree.”

Advice

“Industry doesn’t need 1,000 people who are all the same,” John says. “We need engineers diverse of thinking, background and experience. So rather than trying to second guess what people are looking for in you, celebrate what makes you unique and if that’s the right fit, then you’ll bring something incredible to which ever role you’re pursuing.”

Using new technologies

After graduating, John joined Westland Helicopters’ research and development team and then moved to join BAE Systems’ Advanced Technology Centre to pursue his interest in robotics. He worked on a variety of autonomous systems programmes including looking at how driverless cars could be used by the military. John helped lead BAE Systems’ MO-ATV project, designing a driverless robotic vehicle to carry soldiers’ bags for them while on patrol. “Driverless cars have been a massive career highlight and it’s been amazing to be at the cutting edge of this new technology” he says.

Taking on leadershsip

In 2005 John moved to the land vehicle part of the business to take on a technology programme manager role, looking at how to take the technology developed in the R&D programme and turn it into products. He was then promoted to head of technology for BAE Systems’ land division in the UK where he was responsible for new technology for vehicles and munitions.

John is now Engineering Capability Manager at Ultra Precision Control Systems, where he manages a team of 80, delivering everything from pneumatics systems to high integrity electronics for air and land systems. 

"The Academy’s name and the ELS programme opened doors."

John Puddy

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