“Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.”
(James A. Michener, 1982)
At Safehinge Primera, we’re fortunate to have a dedicated team of twelve Engineers who are on hand to listen to the voice of the customer and find healthcare solutions to their pain points in mental health environments.
We’ll admit that in the past, we have been guilty of not raising awareness of our in-house Engineering team enough, and after speaking to customers, some of them were unaware we even had this team in the first place, as many other businesses in the industry outsource this department.
Introducing Gus: Our Talented Product Design Engineer
We want to change this and celebrate our team. Therefore, we thought it might be worthwhile for our audience to understand what it is like working behind the scenes at Safehinge Primera. So we spoke to Gus Thomas, Product Design Engineer, about what a day in the life of an Engineer is really like. Here’s what he had to say:
Hey Gus, can you tell us about your role as an engineer at Safehinge Primera?
Hi, of course, I can. So I am a Product Design Engineer and the project lead for our Full-Door Ligature Alarm. I ensure this product is on time for our customers and within budget. Aside from our Full-Door Ligature Alarm, I also support the team on other projects, such as developing our Electronic Lockset and looking for new product design and development opportunities in UK markets and abroad.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s very changeable. It depends on the phase of each project. Recently, I showed a printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer how to assemble the circuit boards for our Full-Door Ligature Alarm. This board was then sent to our team in Blackpool so that they could assemble this product. Then, later on, that day, I packed my tools and jumped in the car to travel down to England and build a trial door in Doncaster for a mental health service. I like how much variety there is in my role.
I also regularly meet with customers to understand their challenges and work with them to adapt our products to meet their needs. One example is when customers shared with us that although our Full-Door Ligature Alarm alerts staff when the bedroom door is closed, there is still a risk that patients will attempt to ligature when the door is open too. Therefore, our team got to work on ensuring that the door would alarm when opened and closed for the safety of inpatients (Read more about the Open Door Sensing here). This updated version of the Full-Door Ligature Alarm was showcased at this year's Design in Mental Health Exhibition and received fantastic feedback.
At Safehinge Primera, we guarantee that all our products are tested to the highest safety standards and fire certification.
Therefore, I am involved in a variety of product testing which includes:
- Testing robustness
- Fire testing and fire testing technology
- Fire resistance
- Ensuring our products are going through new BRE testing
I also support healthcare products training for all staff to ensure that, as a business, everyone is knowledgeable about our products and we can work towards the same strategic goals.
What do you like the most about your job?
It changes so much from day to day. Seeing the business grow from just eleven employees to over seventy has been exciting. There is lots of autonomy and interesting problems to solve, which I enjoy.
I’ve learned that the mental health sector can be particularly challenging to design for and that it’s essential to design for the service user and put them at the heart of everything you do; while ensuring the solution works for everyone else. At the same time, you have to compromise, and design work is trying to find answers.
What is one thing you’d like to share about yourself that other people wouldn’t know?
I was hired by Safehinge Primera straight out of Glasgow University, so I’ve been with the company for about six years. It’s a small world because when I was at university, Seonaid Nimmo, one of our Product Design Engineers, taught me and provided support and insight into the industry during my studies. Five years later, Seonaid and I work together for Safehinge Primera on the same team and projects.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
I always need a project. I’m currently working on designing and building a new kitchen in my flat. The material is made of repurposed wood from last year's Design in Mental Health stand. I like to stay busy.
Did you enjoy reading Gus's story? Would you like to explore the opportunity to join our team? Visit our Careers Page and Sign up for job alerts to stay updated on the latest vacancies.
