4 January 2024
Life as a System Engineer at AAE is very diverse, and Ralf Noijen is happy to share his experiences. Over the past four years, he has participated in numerous impressive projects and fully embraced AAE's Can-Do culture. Even in challenging moments, Ralf remained determined. Here is his story.
"As a System Engineer, you are involved in many different aspects, and the function can vary from company to company. At AAE, you are mainly concerned with overseeing the technical complexity of a system. You also carry the responsibility of placing all components and processes with the right people, taking into account the customer's wishes and sometimes requirements. It's a challenging role where you get to deal with a lot of various aspects within a project." Says Ralf with an infectious dose of enthusiasm.
Soon, Ralf moves on to a specific project he has worked on. "About three years ago, a client came to us with a concept that was not yet fully developed. They had a rough idea, but it had yet to become concrete. They wanted AAE to help them develop this idea from the ground up. The plan was to replace a certain module that was stuck in a machine with a replaceable module."
Pushing technological boundaries
And that's where the challenge began for Ralf. "We had to deal with many variables, from technical aspects to a target cost desired by the customer. All these elements were factored into the project requirements. We also carried out feasibility studies and then moved on to the design process. We conducted numerous experiments, developed concepts and worked everything out to arrive at a solid design."
Ralf adds, "Being involved in all these phases is exactly what I find interesting. The module we had to develop had to function under a variety of conditions, including extreme pressure, chemical processes, electrical loads and more. Under all those conditions, the module had to keep functioning for the customer. At that point, you are really exploring and pushing technological boundaries, as we like to do at AAE."
Pushing personal boundaries
Ralf is not only pushing technological boundaries, but he has also made strides in terms of health, together with AAE. "I enjoy sports, especially when there is a challenge involved. For instance, I participated in the Eindhoven half marathon. But the challenge I took on during the Stelvio for Life Challenge with AAE was surely the biggest challenge. I had signed up for the XL version by bike. I was confident, but the meal the night before was so heavy on my stomach that I struggled to move forward. It felt like I was dragging a stone with me; I really had zero energy."
Ralf did not give up: "I wanted to complete it, I had to by myself. I was pushing my personal limits. When I got close to the finish line, I sent a message to everyone that I was starting the final descent. On arrival, my colleagues were standing by and applauding as I crossed the finish line. I was received with a sort of honour guard; it was fantastic. Really great. Some colleagues even call me a 'legend' now," Ralf concludes with a broad smile on his face.
Do you also want to push your boundaries now? Then do so at AAE. View all AAE vacancies now.
