Interview: Chris Jaches, Callen-Lenz

Challenge partners Callen-Lenz interview their 2024 Year in Industry placement engineer Chris Jachens to discuss his time at Callen-Lenz and highlight possible opportunities for students post-competition

At Callen-Lenz, our Year in Industry placement students are exposed to all aspects of what we do. From Project Management to Manufacturing, our placement students gain hands-on experience from their first day on the job.

Tell us about your experience at CL

I have loved my time as a Year in Placement at Callen-Lenz - everyone at the company is incredibly friendly, and the experience has cemented my enthusiasm for aerospace engineering. The exposure I had to all platforms and aspects of the business was amazing, thanks to the frequent and varied rotations that make up the programme.

My first rotation was four months in air vehicle design, where I designed a section of a new aircraft type myself! I went from initial concepts through to working prototypes, which was a great experience. The chance to work across multiple departments, doing design, manufacturing, and project management was fantastic – I particularly enjoyed the project management side, where with good coordination and communication everything seems to come together.

What specifically have you learned?

I gained mostly hands-on experience, including exposure to quick rapid prototyping as well as deep engagement with other teams. I would design something, give it to manufacturing, and have it on my desk by the end of the day. From day 1, I was treated like a permanent member of staff and had a lot of responsibility in a very well-managed environment where everyone was kept in line.

What would you say to anyone looking to apply to CL YIP?

Treat it like university: get stuck in and ask to get involved in as much as you can. If you get the chance to run a jet engine like I did, go for it! Look for hands-on experience and be genuinely interested in the future of aerospace. It really is a privileged position to be in.

For further details about Callen-Lenz and their opportunities, please visit www.callenlenz.com and email recruitment@callenlenz.com