From childhood tinkering to cutting-edge tech solutions for defence, Simon thrives on tackling complex challenges
Simon’s tech journey began early, fuelled by a fascination for robotics. Growing up, he pulled apart remote-control cars, built robots with Australian Geographic kits and LEGO Mindstorms, and crafted his own solar-powered car. This passion for hands-on experimentation even extended to coding apps on a Raspberry Pi.
“I think what drew me to engineering was the problem-solving nature of the work,” he says.
“I had always been curious about how and why things worked, or often more importantly, why things didn’t work.”
Now, as a robotics research engineer with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Simon uses this curiosity every day. His job involves putting cutting-edge tech into platforms, like adding advanced computer vision programs to drones. He handles everything from setting up the hardware and running the algorithms to processing the data and making sense of it.
“The best thing is working with cutting-edge hardware and systems that would be hard to access outside of Defence,” Simon explains.
“I get to test sofware-based solutions on hardware every day. Watching something that previously only existed on a computer have a real, practical impact is really cool.”
During his university studies, he participated in DSTG’s Industry Experience Program and STEM Cadetship Program, paving the way for his current role.
His advice to others is to get involved in these programs yourself.
“It lets you experience the various different paths of Defence and find what is suited to you,” he says.
Simon’s favourite project in his career so far was Exercise Trident 2022, where he worked with the ADF on a ‘robots first’ approach to a potentially hazardous area. Getting his remote pilot’s license is another highlight, and if these achievements are anything to go by, his future is looking pretty awesome.
Simon’s pathway towards becoming a robotics research engineer:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics + Robotics) (Honours) (Professional)
- STEM scholarship
- Industry Experience Placement Program, DSTG
- Defence STEM cadetship
- Robotics research engineer, DSTG
This profile originally appeared in Issue 3 of Careers with STEM: Defence issue and is sponsored by Defence.
Related:
- Government graduate programs to check out
- Careers with STEM: Defence – new issue out now!
- Join Defence as a data warrior
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