Reliance Precision Limited (‘Reliance’) regularly welcomes Year in Industry placement students into the business. This year, Anisa Ahmed and Harry Lai Kar Kit joined the Electronics department working for Dr Greg Horler, Electronics and Software Team Leader. We asked them about their experience and their advice for future students considering a similar opportunity.
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Can you tell us a little about yourself and your academic background?
A: I’m currently studying Software Engineering at the University of Huddersfield. I’ve always been interested in technology and understanding how software can be used to solve problems and create useful solutions. I’m quite curious by nature and enjoy learning new things, particularly when I can apply what I’ve learnt to something practical.
H: I’ve always been passionate about engineering and solving real-world problems. I have recently graduated from the University of Leeds having achieved an MEng in Mechatronics and Robotics.
What department have you been working in and what has your role been?
A: I’ve been working within the Engineering department, specifically as part of the Electronics team as a Software Engineer Intern. This has mainly involved developing software interfaces and working with mechanical systems to control them and collect data through the graphical user interfaces.
H: I’ve also been working as part of the Electronics department as a Mechatronics Engineer Intern. This has included working on mechanical and electronic systems. My main focus has been researching and developing technology for a new measurement system for the validation of quadrupole mass filters.
What attracted you to apply for a Year in Industry with the company?
A: The placement was quite different from the other opportunities I had applied for. Before applying, I hadn’t really considered a career in software engineering within the mechanical engineering sector, so the role immediately stood out to me as being interesting.
H: This is actually my second time working at Reliance. Beginning in July 2024, I completed a three-month placement within the same department, which I really enjoyed. I was then able to come back to do a full Year in Industry placement.
What were your first impressions when you joined the team?
A: It was quite different to what I expected, especially because this was my first experience of working in a professional environment. The work was challenging at first because I didn’t have much prior knowledge of engineering. I had to get to grips with what some of the technology actually was, as well as why and how it was used. I also had to learn a lot of the basic terminology that was used in everyday meetings and conversations, which initially could be quite difficult to follow. However, everyone in the team was really helpful and approachable. Whenever I didn’t understand something, I felt comfortable asking questions, and people were always willing to take the time to explain things to me. That made it much easier to settle in and gradually build up my understanding and confidence.
H: When I first came to Reliance back in 2024, the department was much smaller and much quieter. Everyone was initially quite serious and reserved, but I soon found out they were actually very approachable and willing to teach me and share their experience. This year there have been a few more people, including Anisa who is also doing a Year in Industry and Maegan, who moved into the department after completing her apprenticeship.
What were you hoping to gain from your Year in Industry?
A: I was hoping to gain a better insight into the industry and understand how a software engineering role fits into a specialist engineering environment. I also wanted to put the theory and skills I’d learned at university into practice through real projects. Alongside developing my technical skills, I also wanted to strengthen my communication, teamwork, problem-solving abilities and confidence.
H: As a new graduate, I wanted to gain some more industry experience so that I could continue to develop my skills as an engineer. I hoped that taking on real-world projects would improve my confidence. I also wanted to strengthen my problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Can you describe some of the projects you worked on during your Year in Industry?
A: I’ve been able to work on a variety of projects throughout my placement. One example is creating the software for a new measurement system for the validation of quadrupole mass filters following assembly. Another project I worked on was an actuator test rig. My role was to create the interface used to test the actuator throughout the different stages of its development. This project also involved working closely with my colleagues in Ireland, as the testing was carried out there and the interface had to be adapted to meet their requirements. These projects have given me experience working on different types of systems and have also shown me how software can be used to support real-world engineering and testing.
H: I have been primarily involved in researching and developing emerging technologies for use in a new measurement system for the validation of quadrupole mass filters. This will be an improvement on the existing measurement system in terms of the measurements we can make and the quality of data we can collect. I worked with Anisa on this project as she helped to develop the software for it.
What did a typical day look like for you?
A: At the start of the day, I would usually have a quick catch-up with Greg about the progress I had made and the different projects I was working on. We would go through what I had done, what had gone well, and discuss anything that I could have done better or needed to improve. From there, I would make a to-do list and then I’d get started on those tasks. If I came across something I wasn’t sure about or needed some guidance with, I’d arrange a meeting to discuss it. A big part of my day was also working with other people and sharing ideas. We would discuss different ways of approaching a task and work together to figure out the best solution. I found that really useful because I was able to learn from other people while also developing my own ideas.
H: Most of my time was spent in the Electronics lab on hands-on projects. Each day I would get organised and then work through the tasks I needed to complete. This could be anything from designing components, creating drawings for production, assisting with rapid prototyping or reporting findings to the team.
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What has been the highlight of your Year in Industry?
A: I think the biggest highlight of my placement has been seeing how much I’ve developed since I first started. At the beginning, I was quite shy, had very little experience of engineering, and had to learn a lot of new concepts, terminology and ways of working. Over the year, I’ve gone from needing guidance to being able to take ownership of projects, develop working solutions and present my work to people across the company. Seeing that progression has been really rewarding. I’ve also had opportunities that I wouldn’t have experienced at university. For example, I had the chance to be part of two interview panels and I also got to attend the Engineering Design Show, which gave me the opportunity to see what else is happening across the wider engineering industry and learn about different technologies and companies.
H: I think the highlight of my placement has been the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team who all have different engineering backgrounds. I’ve worked with mechanical engineers, production engineers, electronics engineers and I’ve also worked with Reliance’s apprentices. I’ve really enjoyed the variety, and it’s really helped to broaden my view of the whole company and the wider industry. I’ve also been very fortunate to have Greg as a manager. He has given us freedom to be creative and develop ideas, within the constraints of what is required by the company.
What surprised you most about working at Reliance?
A: I think what surprised me most was the environment and atmosphere at Reliance. It’s been such a welcoming place, and everyone is really friendly and genuinely wants to help you develop. I’ve found that people are always willing to support you, share their knowledge and give you the confidence to take on new challenges. I’ve really enjoyed my placement here, and it’s never felt like a job that I’ve had to force myself to come into. It’s something I’ve genuinely looked forward to, and I think that’s largely because of the people. Especially in the Electronics lab, where I’ve spent most of my time – everyone has been so supportive and willing to help. At the same time, they challenge you to think outside the box and come up with your own solutions. I think that combination of support and challenge has made my experience here so much better.
H: I was surprised by the scale of the facilities at Reliance and the resources available to us. It was amazing to be able to design a part, have it 3D printed and then actually have it machined by one of the apprentices within a short space of time.
Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
A: There were definitely some challenges during my placement, whether that was with software packages or just general tasks. The main way I overcame them was by asking for advice and seeking different perspectives on how to approach the problem.
H: When I first came to Reliance, I had no prior industry experience, particularly in the precision engineering domain, so this was a steep learning curve for me. Over my time here, I’ve become more used to this environment. I also initially felt that everything I did needed to be perfect, but I’ve learnt to troubleshoot problems, and I now know that I can make a start and then refine my work until I reach the best solution.
Who helped support you during your Year in Industry?
A: My manager, Greg, has been my main source of support. Not only has he helped me through all my projects but he’s also been a mentor. He’s pushed me outside of my comfort zone and given me valuable insight into the industry and how to navigate it. The whole Electronics team have supported me in different ways. I think having such a supportive team around me has made a huge difference to my placement and has played a big part in how much I’ve developed over the year. Being around experienced engineers has given me the opportunity to see how they approach problems, make decisions and deal with challenges in a professional environment.
H: So many people have supported me during my time at Reliance – everyone from the Engineering team, the Electronics team, Production Engineering and the apprentices. It’s been great to see how other engineers approach a problem and deal with practical constraints.
Has the placement changed your view of the industry in any way?
A: Definitely. Before starting my placement, I had an idea of what I thought working in engineering would be like, but I hadn’t really experienced the reality of it. Being able to work on real projects and see how engineering is applied in a professional environment has given me a much clearer understanding. Being able to work on a variety of projects and see how different teams contribute to the wider company has given me a much better understanding of how broad engineering actually is. It’s changed my view of what it means to be an engineer. It’s not just about having technical knowledge; it’s also about problem-solving, communicating with others, being willing to learn and constantly looking for better solutions. Overall, the placement has made me much more aware of the opportunities available and more open-minded about the direction I could take in my future career.
H: Yes, I’ve learnt that working in industry is not as straightforward as I thought. There are practical limitations and various processes you have to go through to get things done. I’ve also realised that it’s important to be adaptable to change.
How has this experience influenced your career plans or prepared you for the future?
A: Originally, after university, I expected to look for a job at a software company that focused purely on software. However, this placement has really opened my eyes to how many opportunities and different career paths are available to me.
H: It has definitely reinforced that I want to pursue engineering so that I can design and build innovative solutions that solve real-world problems.
Looking back, what is one thing you’d tell yourself on your first day?
A: I’d tell myself not to be afraid of making mistakes. Making mistakes is part of learning and growing, and you shouldn’t be afraid to get something wrong. When I first started, I sometimes held back from sharing my ideas or asking questions because I was worried that what I was saying might be wrong. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to already understand things, even though I was there to learn. Over time, I realised that nobody expects you to know everything, especially when you’re starting out. I’d also tell myself to make the most of every opportunity, even if it’s something outside of your comfort zone. Whether that’s speaking to someone new, getting involved in a project, presenting your work or trying something you’ve never done before, those experiences are where you learn the most.
H: I’d tell myself to be more proactive and, similarly to Anisa, that I don’t need to be afraid of making mistakes – that’s how you learn and improve.
What is one word that sums up your Year in Industry experience, and why?
A: Transformative. I think that one word sums up my placement because it’s changed me both professionally and personally. It’s been a memorable and insightful experience that has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, helped me grow in confidence and given me opportunities I never expected to have. It’s also been really uplifting to be surrounded by people who have supported and encouraged me throughout the year. I’ve learnt so much, developed new skills and gained a much clearer idea of what I want from my future career. Most importantly, it’s been my first experience of working in the industry, so it’s something I’ll always remember and look back on with a lot of appreciation, and it’s an experience I’ll carry with me throughout my career.
H: Bittersweet. It’s been a great honour to work with such a good team and I’m sad to be leaving. I’ve learnt such a lot and built some great relationships. However, I’m also excited to move forward and continue with my career.
What advice would you give to students considering a Year in Industry at Reliance?
A: I’d recommend applying because Reliance is very flexible, supportive and gives you a lot of opportunities to get involved in different things. It’s not a company where you’re given one task and expected to do the same thing every day. The variety of projects I’ve worked on and the different things I’ve been able to see and experience have been one of the biggest benefits of my placement. I’d also say the company is very inclusive, and it’s not all about work. There are events and activities throughout the year that give everyone the chance to take a break, socialise and get to know people outside of their immediate team. I think that really helps create a strong sense of community and makes it much easier to build relationships with people across the company. Overall, I’d say come in with an open mind, get involved as much as you can and make the most of the opportunities available to you. There’s a lot you can gain from the experience if you’re willing to put yourself out there. I would definitely recommend doing a Year in Industry in general because it gives you the opportunity to experience what it’s actually like to work in the industry before graduating. You get to apply what you’ve learnt at university to real projects, but you also learn so much that you wouldn’t necessarily get from university alone.
H: I’d recommend it because it has been a great experience. From the moment I joined Reliance, everyone has been very welcoming and supportive, which made it easy to settle in and feel part of the team. As Anisa has said, there is a strong sense of community across the business, and people are always willing to offer help, share their knowledge and encourage you to make the most of your opportunities. The company also has excellent facilities that provide a great environment for learning and working. Alongside this, there are plenty of opportunities to gain new experiences, develop skills, and get involved, making it a rewarding place to be.
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For more information about Year in Industry placements at Reliance, please email placements@reliance.co.uk
