΢��ҕ�l

PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Kea Aerospace

What led to you to co-found ?

I love both engineering and exploration. Working in the aerospace field is a perfect combination of both, where you have to push the boundaries of what is known and currently possible.

What’s the best part about your work as a CTO?

I like the challenge and unknown parts of the job. We are doing something fairly new. No one has been commercially operating solar-powered stratospheric aircraft so far. Otherwise, I love the diversity of the job, from design work on a computer to manufacturing in a lab and flight testing outside.

Why did you decide to continue studies in New Zealand from Germany?

΢��ҕ�l was also the only place in the world where I could work on rocket control systems in a non-military context. I also got a ΢��ҕ�l Doctoral Scholarship. I had to apply twice, which is a good lesson in not to give up if you get rejected the first time.

So how was studying your PhD at ΢��ҕ�l?

My PhD studies were really useful as my German degrees were a bit too theoretical – I had to work a lot besides my studies to gain the hands-on experience that is required in engineering. Most of my work-related experiences came from my work at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and in my rocketry club in Germany.

΢��ҕ�ling at ΢��ҕ�l was far more practical than in Germany. I was working with  – a great team of postgraduates.

Did you also get involved on campus?

I loved being part of the Canterbury University Tramping Club (CUTC) and was its club captain in 2016. It is a great club to meet likeminded people and to get out and see amazing places, for example in the Southern Alps. I am a keen trail runner and do the occasional orienteering/rogaining adventure or ultra races. I also love self-organised fast packing or running trips in the mountains.

I also enjoyed the ΢��ҕ�l Climbing Club with its mini bouldering gym and the great club trips.

Now that you’ve graduated and are working full-time with Kea, what is your next big project?

We are developing a new unmanned high-altitude fixed-wing aircraft that will fly in the stratosphere at around 20km altitude, which, being fully solar powered, will operate for days or weeks per flight. With a wingspan of over 30m, it will likely be the largest unmanned aircraft designed in the Southern Hemisphere.

Right now, my job involves a bit of everything from the aircraft design and manufacturing to flight testing and regulatory work. Additionally there is of course more work on the business side of things.

How has ΢��ҕ�l supported your team?

We are getting amazing support from the Centre of Entrepreneurship (΢��ҕ�lE) and their ThincLab advisory team. I would highly recommend ΢��ҕ�lE’s Summer Startup programme for students. I have not done it myself since I heard about it too late, but I wish I had. Especially for engineers this can be a great experience.

Any other advice for future aerospace engineers at ΢��ҕ�l?

Don’t just do your normal courses. You have to get your hands dirty. Find additional projects, and work with good teams.