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What started with tinkering on a dirt bike grew into a career in high tech. Matt (57) has now been with AAE for 25 years. What keeps him here? The technical challenge, the teamwork, and the freedom to keep growing.
The start of a maker’s career
As a teenager, Matt spent every weekend in the car garage. After completing technical school and his military service (1992), he worked in machine overhaul for the food industry and later, through a staffing agency, on a wide range of mechatronics projects.
Matt: “I’ve been into technology from a young age. I never once thought I chose the wrong field. This just felt right, it suited me perfectly.”
From technician to Project Lead Assembly
In 2000, Matt joined AAE. He started as an assembly technician, became a senior technician, and later a project coordinator. Today, he’s a Project Lead Assembly, overseeing planning and quality on the shop floor and making sure the team can keep things moving to reach the project goals.
His playground is the well-known triangle of Project Manager – System Engineer – Project Lead. During critical project phases, he stays close to both the customer and his team to quickly resolve any bottlenecks.
Matt: “Of course, we sometimes run into challenges during the build process, like when a drawing doesn’t work out in real life the way it was intended. Luckily, I don’t have to know everything myself. What matters is knowing who to involve. In those cases, I’ll connect with the engineer to find a solution together. The deadline keeps ticking, after all — and we have to deliver what we promise.”
Projects that stick
Matt: “One of the most complex projects that really stuck with me was a single loop belt machine. It packed a lot of technology into a very tight space. Every gear, every sensor had to work together flawlessly. The moment that machine finally ran ‘on its own’ for the first time, that was pure satisfaction. I’m still proud of that.”
Another project for a major high-tech client is also etched in his memory: “Two large robots, complex handling, and countless interdependencies. At first, I often felt like I was on my own as project lead, and that took its toll. Only when more colleagues joined and we really pulled together did we find rhythm and structure. It reminded me once again how essential teamwork is: you don’t have to know or do everything yourself, as long as you know who to turn to. That’s AAE in a nutshell. People are always ready to help when it’s needed.”
AAE keeps moving
During Matt’s time, AAE grew to nearly 550 colleagues. The organization became larger and more professional, yet the culture remained.
Matt: “Back in the day, you knew everyone at the Christmas party. The company’s bigger now, but it’s still flat and that family feeling is still there, especially within your daily team. Growth naturally brings more processes, though.”
Matt uses his internal network to keep things running smoothly when the pressure rises.
Matt: “Quick communication is still possible, you just have to know your way around a bit better.”
Work enjoyment = craftsmanship + humor
For Matt, enjoying his work is essential. The connection with colleagues makes all the difference.
Matt: “I get along really well with many colleagues. That makes working together easy, and fun.”
And yes, there’s always room for a laugh. “A bit of joking around is part of the job, as long as you take your craft seriously.”
As Matt sums it up: “The atmosphere is great, the work is clean and dry, which isn’t a given in engineering. And technically, the work is truly challenging. Especially on the PAA side, there’s so much to sink your mechanical and mechatronic teeth into.”
“The best part? Fine-tuning a machine together with the customer until it runs perfectly, and then delivering it with pride.”
