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Jet-fighter titanium build is career highlight for PhD alumnus

Jet-fighter titanium build is career highlight for PhD alumnus

Published: 13 Mar 2023

Chao Liu

The international environment [at Brunel] helps students to build their social skills

Chao, Research, Alumni

Lead Additive Manufacturing Software Engineer, WAAM3D

Electronic and Electrical Engineering PhD - 2017

From China

Previous Institution

Imperial College London -

Where do you currently live?

UK

Tell us about your career journey since you graduated…

I become an Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) Software Engineer at Cranfield University WELPC Centre. After taking part in many academic and industrial projects, I moved to WAAM3D company, which is a spin-out of Cranfield.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Software development; customer support; part building supervision.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

Taking part in building the largest jet-fighter Titanium structure by WAAM technology.

How would you say Brunel helped you to get where you are today?

The knowledge and research skills gained at Brunel has helped me a lot to advance in my career path. The already obtained knowledge has given me competence in finishing daily tasks, while the research skills help me to expand my vision to the new area.

Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?

Brunel is famous for its engineering field; that is what I was looking for. The good international environment (Brunel is among the most international universities in the world) helps students to build their social skills and of course the wide collaboration, which is crucial in their later career.

What is your best memory of studying here?

My PhD graduation ceremony at Central Hall Westminster in London.

If you could give one piece of advice to new students, what would that be?

You should not only aim for a high mark on your courses, but also find out their applications and start to explore them. In a word, turning knowledge into productivity.

What would be your top tip or advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey?

First spend some time on finding out what you want to do and achieve in your future career. What you do in your first job might not be that important, but you must know that you’re developing your direction to then pursue.

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