Employee introduction01 Aiming to be a connector specialist
T.A.
Joined as newly-grad in 2019
CS DivisionAdvanced DX & EX Design Dept. Tokyo Design Sec. 2Mechanical Design
Background
Tell us about your major at university and your research subjects.
My major at university was electrical engineering and computer science and I belonged to a laboratory researching optical systems, and my research theme was terahertz wave optical elements. Terahertz waves cannot be seen by the naked eye, so it is difficult to know the state of the test subject during the experiment. We had a lot of difficulty because we only had test data and theoretical values to make our proofs. But I think that experience has served me well since going out into the world.
When you were looking for employment, what types of work and industries did you look at? Also tell us why you chose SMK in the end.
I did an internship at an electronics parts manufacturer while I was at university, and this piqued my interest in the field. Electronic parts are usually incorporated in the electronic devices when they go out into the market, so we don't usually see them. But that is what makes them the backbone of Japanese industry, and it made me also want to pursue that vocation.
I went to an information session run by SMK at the university's job fair, and that is where I found out about SMK. The main reason I decided to become part of SMK was because they gave me the opportunity to talk to junior employees who were close to me in age.
I was impressed by the good atmosphere of its working environment while talking with the young company members there, and it helped me choose SMK. I was also able to see that the company was taking care of their young staff by providing that opportunity, it created a positive image.
Work
What were your feelings about SMK after you started working here?
Well, I had no idea of how to act properly as a new employee and what my job actually entailed, but my senior colleagues at the company kept following up.
We essentially work as a team, even after we are made responsible for our own products. I also didn't imagine that I would have so much contact with people, not just my bosses, but also staff from other departments and even from outside the company.
Tell us about your job.
I am currently in charge of designing connectors for the consumer market. I take into consideration the applications and requirements of the customer and verify them in advance by drawing from scratch. There are so many requirements for each application, which makes it difficult, but it is very satisfying as well. And I don't only do my planning at my desk, I also verify them by evaluating the actual connector. I work together with people from sales to develop some proposals for the customer, and I occasionally take part in meetings with them as well. I also go along to seminars run by our business partners, for example, so I maintain regular interactions with external parties.
Tell us about a job that made the deepest impression on you.
The job that made the deepest impression on me was when I was in charge of designing an FFC connector for a game console and took it all the way to mass production. This product demanded a lot of planning units, and we got orders exceeding 1,000,000 units at the peak. This meant there were many items to consider during the preparatory stage, a large number of evaluation items. As such, there were many processes to complete before mass production. We had several meetings with other departments and our partner companies to move the development along, and after about a year we made it to mass production. With it being such a large client, the feeling of achievement at that time was something I still remember.
Tell us about something that you found difficult at work.
There are different specifications for each application because connectors are used in so many different products. We might need to satisfy one client's requirement for a part that can be used in high temperatures on one hand, but in another application, the part might be used in low temperatures. A variety of requirements are requested. We verify them in advance at the planning stage using our analysis, additionally implement measures for all the possible issues we can think of, and make drawings for reviews and designs to avoid problems. I do my best to meet all the requirements.
Vision
Describe your dreams and goals.
Connectors have so many applications across so many different fields, but I would like to become a specialist in a particular field. I'd like to become the go-to engineer for such and such a job, recognized as the person to rely on by my colleagues, both senior and junior.
CASUAL QUESTION
What kind of person do you think those around you say you are?
I am often told I am someone who tries very hard to communicate effectively.
I am very aware of making sure there are other people involved when we are taking on an issue. I don't just leave something that I don't understand. I get others involved and make sure I follow up if necessary. Because it is often necessary to collaborate with people in other departments and from other companies in order to perform my role as a designer, I think my personality is suited to this job.
A day in my work life
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