Profile

Mr Pande Gruevski

Blackmagic Design

Course of study:
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering 2006

Has your degree at La Trobe prepared you well for the workplace?

La Trobe University provided me with all the appropriate tools needed to enter the work force in the engineering field, more than the industry standard expected. I acquired skills in electronic circuit design, circuit analysis, schematic and PCB design, VHDL & FPGA programming and telecommunication theory. The final year project helped me focus on project management, design, development, testing, documentation and show casing my work.

The laboratory classes were really hands-on, which was great because this is required in the industry when you are designing or analysing any schematic. The subject structure was also very easy to follow and the subjects focused on current trends of technology in the work place. This allowed me to integrate into the industry without any hesitation as the technological terms I had to deal with had been part of my study.

The lecturers made themselves available to students - this was a great help as face to face communication was the best way to ask questions about specific subject matters. La Trobe University has the right culture to prepare you for the work force and the skills you are taught will prepare you for the future.

Tell us a little about your work history

I heard about EMC Technologies through one of my lecturers and after meeting with the Director and discussing my ideas, I was offered a full time position. I worked there for four years, acquiring Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) experience and qualifications in the compliance sector, understanding the test methodologies and different test setups, learning and understanding the whole directives and standards for the different global markets. I was exposed to many different companies and customers, helping them to obtain compliance. One particular customer approached me and offered me a Full time position in his company, Procept.

Procept is a design house in Richmond that specialises in mining, medical, science instrumentation and commercial product design and development. They are also regarded as the Radio Frequency (RF) and wireless communication design specialists. My position there was in charge of the Test Department and my duties included full EMC compliance of products, document writing, report writing, EMC test plan creation, functional test plans, functional testing of products, functional test reporting, test integration and RF field testing of wireless products. Procept exposed me to many interesting projects that allowed me to grow through the different challenges. I then was head hunted by Blackmagic Design, leaders in the video, broadcast and entertainment industry, who required the expertise of an EMC specialist.

A highlight of my career has been designing and developing an Automated System that was used to validate and program PCBs after their completion.

I was also involved in the design, implementation and test of a Government-sponsored Wireless Biophony System project which was authorised by the Department of Environmental and Primary Industries (DEPI). Biophony is the science of collective sounds of animals and insects in a given environment. The System encompassed wireless nodes that were powered by rechargeable batteries and solar panels. Special sensitive microphones recorded the Biophony sounds, the node transmitted the recording to a main Gateway which was connected to the Internet, then scientists analysed the data via the website.

What are things you enjoy most about your job?

Besides being a part of a fantastic company that has grown dramatically in the last 5 years, I get to assist hardware, software and industrial design/mechanical engineers with every stage of the product development cycle. I have the privilege of testing each and every product that comes out of Blackmagic Design and I ensure that each and every product is compliant to all global directives and standards both for EMC and Safety.

Besides your career, where has life taken you since graduation?

I have travelled the world, became a part time apartment renovator as a hobby, founded my own engineering consultant company Innovoniks and got married.

What advice can you offer to current students?

My advice is love what you are studying, this will motivate you both in completing your degree and finding a job. Do not fear what you do not understand - this is an opportunity to learn, ask questions or go see the lecturer at the end of the lecture. Get involved , network, sign up to Engineers Australia, create a LinkedIn account and get to know different students and people. Prepare a CV and look for part-time jobs. The more experience you gain you will greatly increase your chances of obtaining a job when the time is right.

Finally, be proud as you are an Engineer, all Engineering is exciting, Electronic engineering is not only magical it is an art form. Electronic engineers are changing the world, look around you, it is due to us Electronic Engineers that the world has become so integrated and close, our world is rapidly changing and we Electronic Engineers are at the forefront of this change.

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