Report of experiences – the first few months as a project engineer at Kuhn Special Steel

A change of job naturally always supposes a certain amount of risk. What are my new workmates going to be like? Is the working atmosphere really like it was made out to be at the interview? Is the job description a true reflection of the role? Will I feel comfortable? … An unbelievably wide range of questions need to be answered before the final decision is made; and some uncertainty will always remain, however carefully you consider and evaluate the large number of facts and impressions from the interview stage.

All this – well, most of it at least – likewise applied to me last November, when I was offered a job as a project engineer at Kuhn Special Steel. The decision was actually quite easy, to be honest with you.

To begin with, I had already got to know KSS in 2007, during an internship in the course of my studies. Several members of my family also work for the company. The questions regarding the working atmosphere and as to whether I was going to get on with my colleagues had likewise not really raised any concerns from the outset. Any outstanding issues that did remain were cleared up during the various interviews. It then came down to the individual details of the job I was being offered: project engineer for the design, planning and implementation of a wide variety of investment projects, with responsibility for deadlines and budgets, plus optional international activities – nice!

A good seven months have now passed since I took up the post in January, with absolutely no sense of disillusionment to report. Promises and expectations have been fully met, and even exceeded in some respects. My decision to transfer from the automotive sector to one of Germany’s in no way less dynamic medium-sized Mittelstand companies has proved to be a good one! My continued enthusiasm for the more exciting aspects of automotive engineering is now a strictly free-time activity however, in contrast to a working day that is now not only far more diverse, but which also tends to be more interesting and challenging.

I work mainly with design and planning activities involving a wide range of issues; most of which have something to do with our foundry. Current projects are concerned with existing facilities and systems, along with new acquisitions and production processes; some of which are pioneering ventures for KSS. My own project activities are usually closely connected with our main production site in Radevormwald, Germany and the facilities housed here. When it comes to the specific area of innovative manufacturing processes however, there are also always opportunities for intensive cooperation to be had with our joint-venture Kuhn Special Steel Taiwan and the highly experienced team employed there. The wide variety of chances to interact not only with the different in-house departments, but also with suppliers and other outside organisations – all of which play a role in our daily work and naturally suppose a high proportion of quite creative activity – is truly remarkable.

These last seven months have passed by really quickly, and the coming months look likely to do the same – which I feel is a good sign.

Photos: Kuhn Edelstahl