Super Seven #20 Patrick Buckle

In the twentieth of our Super Seven Questions Series we profile our Mechanical Design Engineer, Patrick Buckle. Patrick joined us as an Intern in June 2021, his input has been invaluable, so much so we offered him a permanent contract! Find out more about him below.  

1.  Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 

My professional background consists mainly of all things engineering; from maintenance to product design, team leading, and managing projects.

I was working as a railway engineer when, three years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. This meant enrolling full-time at The University of Bristol, where I picked up a wealth of experience in other sectors; I was even lucky enough to participate in GOChina2019. This allowed me to visit Beijing on a summer exchange, visiting major car manufacturing plants in the Beijing Municipality and Hebei Province. Here I attended 北理工 (Beijing Institute of Technology), investigating the future of electric and intelligent vehicles. Back in Bristol, I obtained a First-Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering in 2021 before starting my journey at KETS as a mechanical intern.

I am inquisitive, so pulling things apart to understand why things are done in a certain way, as well as how they could be made better comes as second nature to me. I have also appreciated the world of electronics and had an interest in computing hardware. These aspects, combined with my interest in cyber security and enabling new technologies, have led to me working in my dream position at KETS where I can combine and expand upon my current knowledge in doing what I love!

2.  What do you do in KETS? 

My role at KETS has evolved over time as a Mechanical Design Engineer. I’m working everything from chip packaging, server case design, lab assembly support mechanisms to cable specification & cable harness design, all of which feed into the larger task of realising the portability of the Quantum Key Distribution system developed here. The main bulk of my role can be boiled down to a large amount of 3D Tetris, with a few extra restrictions and considerations involving temperature and system stability.

3.  What’s the most enjoyable part of your job?

As the sole mechanical engineer currently at KETS, I’m able to use every aspect of my previous experience as well as realise a multitude of opportunities to learn more about other fields in engineering/science and other aspects outside of the STEM realm.

What I appreciate the most is KETS’ company culture and the great people that I get to work alongside. KETS’ focus on people has allowed me to thrive and bring my best to work every day. I am surrounded by truly talented people that I have learned a lot from thus far.

4. What inspires you?

Three things manage to truly inspire me without fail:

• People: Seeing those around me persevere and achieve what was once thought improbable.
• Leadership: Great leaders who, through their actions, become that glue that binds us all together and enables every individual to reach their full potential both professionally and personally.
• Technological Advancement: Seeing the widespread implementation of what was once the cutting edge technology of its time, becoming part of everyday life, and knowing that this cycle will continue throughout my career and long after I have gone.

5.  What advice would you give someone wanting to become a mechanical design engineer? 

Having that natural curiosity for how things work and taking apart/ fixing devices goes a long way in aiding in making solid design decisions. On a personal level, I also believe being able to communicate clearly and work well in teams is what will differentiate you from the crowd and is required as being considered a good engineer.

If you have a natural curiosity about how things work, I would recommend backing that up with a good grasp of mathematics as well as some practical experience. Mathematics is a fundamental building block used throughout STEM-related careers and is always in high demand and short supply. Practical experience ranges from fixing your own devices to gaining work experience in related fields, the key takeaway from that experience is what you have learned and how it may be transferable to the work you do in the future.

6. What do you do when you’re not in work? 

I recently moved into Bristol, so shopping and exploring a new area take up most of my time! I also enjoy cooking and trying out new dishes from various cuisines. I like to cycle to work too, and with Bristol being rather hilly, it’s great exercise and keeps me in shape. I enjoy spending time fixing things, playing games on my PC as well as gardening. All bring me a lot of satisfaction but I am always open to trying out new things.

7. Where’s the last restaurant you went to?

The last restaurant I went to was Mugshot near St. Nicholas Market. It’s a steakhouse that offers a different experience to others in Bristol.

The fat in the steak is percolated through the meat, making it extra tasty, which is served on a hot plate meaning you get to cook it how you like it. You also get to choose the sauce as well as the kinds of butter to cook the steak with which makes it extra tasty and tailored to your taste. I would recommend it but be prepared to spend around £30 per person!

To get in touch with Patrick, drop us an email at enquiry@kets-quantum.com