“What I like most here? You’re never on your own.”
Hi, I’m Melissa and I work as a Project Engineer in R&D at VETUS. I’ve been working here for a little over a year and a half. My role sits right at the intersection of design, testing, and collaboration. Sometimes I’m behind my computer working on designs, sometimes I’m in the workshop, and other times I’m outside with colleagues testing or assembling something.
What I enjoy is that no two days are the same. You never quite know in the morning how your day will unfold. Someone will always drop by with a question, or I’ll walk over to the workshop to discuss something. That’s what keeps the job dynamic.
I started at VETUS as an intern. At first, I honestly did not have much of a connection with boats, and I was not entirely sure what to expect. But as soon as I arrived, the atmosphere felt very open and relaxed.
What stood out to me most was how approachable everyone was. No formal hassle, no distance. I was given a tour, a product catalog, and almost immediately the feeling: take your time, look around, ask questions, and get involved.
In the beginning, I found it quite exciting, maybe even a bit intimidating, to ask questions. But that feeling quickly disappeared here. If I was unsure about something, I could just walk up to someone. And even if I asked the same question multiple times, no one ever made a big deal out of it.
What makes VETUS special to me is that you do not have to prove you can already do everything. You simply grow along with what is happening. If you show interest, you are given space. If you want to learn, that is encouraged.
During my first internship, for example, I was able to work on a hands on project right away. We had an idea for a beach trolley, where we discussed stability and maneuverability: one wheel or two? Instead of talking about it endlessly, we just built it and tested it. Using a self made model, we went outside to see what worked best in practice. That moment has really stayed with me: warm weather, sand everywhere, and figuring out together whether something truly works.
At VETUS, you do not learn from a textbook. You learn by working together, testing, and trying things out. That also applies to larger and more complex projects.
During my graduation internship, for example, I worked on a retractable bow thruster that can also rotate 360 degrees, designed for trolling fishing. That is technically quite challenging: something that needs to lower, rotate, and continuously operate in water. It requires careful thinking about sealing, bearings, and durability.
What I really appreciated was that I did not have to carry that project on my own. I could exchange ideas with mechanical engineers, ask questions to colleagues in the workshop, and work together to find solutions. It was challenging, sometimes frustrating, but above all very educational. The fact that you get to work on a project like that as an intern says a lot about the trust you are given here.
Not every project is a long term development process. Sometimes it is the smaller tasks that really highlight the team spirit. For example, there was a time when the entire R&D department worked together to update a large batch of bow thrusters with new software. We opened them up, installed the software, added a sticker, and closed the box, almost like an assembly line.
It was hard work, but also a lot of fun. You help each other, share some laughs, and at the end of the day everything is done. Moments like that are what make the job extra enjoyable for me.
What I really like about my work is that you can see what you create. You start with an idea, build a prototype, test it, and improve it. Sometimes something works right away, sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board. But you always do it together.
I work closely with colleagues from different disciplines. Because of that, you feel that you are not just working on a single part, but on a complete system. That makes the work varied and challenging.
I would describe the atmosphere within R&D as warm. We work with focus, but there is always room for a joke, a conversation, or help when you need it. That sense of trust allows me to grow and makes me enjoy coming to work.
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