From Graduate to Engineer: Archy’s First Year in Industry

We caught up with Archy Stanger, a Graduate Engineer at Cademuir Engineering, as he nears the end of his first year in the role. He shared how the experience has shaped his early career and offered advice for aspiring engineers.

Finding his Path – What Led Archy to Pursue a Career in Engineering.

Growing up in a small town with limited career opportunities, Archy always had a practical mindset and an interest in engineering.

“It was always at the back of my mind,” he says. “Engineering offered a way to build a stable career and open new doors.”

After earning a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering from Edinburgh Napier University, Archy joined Cademuir Engineering in July 2024. The role was a perfect fit. Not only was it an exciting start to his career, but it also meant staying close to home in the Scottish Borders, a region where graduate engineering roles can be hard to come by.

First Impressions and New Challenges

Like many graduates starting their first role, Archy admits he was a little nervous at the beginning, but that didn’t last long. “I remember being nervous as it was my first real job, but everyone was welcoming and I soon settled in.” he recalls.

His first project saw him working alongside Managing Director Brian Walker on the development of a new pneumatic timer for compressed air dryers. Since then, his role has expanded considerably.

“More recently, I’ve been starting to get involved in the day to day, supporting customer projects and helping to improve internal processes. It’s great to be contributing to different areas of the business.”

One standout project Archy has been working on has been the design and development of a prototype jig to improve assembly efficiency on the production line. “The jig allows one person to do what previously took three. It’s about making our processes smarter and freeing up time for the team to support in other areas.” he explains.

Archy has also played a key role in integrating new technology into the business. He helped introduce a resin-based 3D printer to support prototyping and product development. Working alongside General Manager Julie Robinson, Archy developed internal safety procedures to ensure safe operation, an important step given the limited guidance currently available for this emerging technology.

Learning on the Job

Transitioning from the classroom to the workplace brought its share of challenges, but Archy has embraced the practical side of engineering. “Applying what I learned at university in a real-world setting, and getting to grips with machines has been one of the biggest learning curves, but also one of the most rewarding,” he says.

The guidance and support from colleagues have been invaluable. “Everyone’s been incredibly helpful. Whether it’s learning how to use the CNC machines, working with Brian on new product prototypes, or working with the team on mould flow analysis and tooling refinements. I’ve learned so much from their experience.”

For Archy, one of the most fulfilling aspects of the role is seeing ideas brought to life. “Designing, machining, testing, refining, and then seeing your solution in action, is incredibly satisfying.

Looking Ahead

As for the future, Archy is focused on growth. “I’d love to keep progressing and eventually step into a Design Engineer role.”

His advice for school leavers considering engineering?…

“Go for it! It’s a rewarding career path with so many exciting opportunities at the end of it.”