Kieran Charlett

Kieran has been part of the EMP Designs team for over four years and plays a key role in turning designs into finished products. From programming and testing PCBs to diagnosing repairs and supporting production, he works across a wide range of products and processes every day. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for problem-solving, Kieran enjoys the variety that comes with working in a company where no two days – and often no two products – are quite the same.

 

Tell us about your role at EMP Designs.

My role sits within manufacturing, taking products from assembled PCB’s through to finished units ready to be shipped. Typically, boards arrive from our pick-and-place process and I'll prioritise whichever jobs are most urgent. That can involve de-panelling PCB’s, completing through-hole assembly that can't be handled by selective soldering, and also programming & carrying out testing of the PCB’s following the test procedures provided by our R&D team. Once products have been programmed and tested, they'll often require final assembly, quality checks, packaging, and preparation for dispatch. Making sure everything is complete, correctly configured, and ready for the customer is a big part of what I do.

 

What does a typical day look like?

The overall process is fairly consistent, but the products themselves are incredibly varied. Because EMP Designs manufactures in relatively small batches, we're constantly moving between different products rather than spending weeks or months building the same thing repeatedly. Even products that appear similar can feel very different to manufacture and test. For example, testing an LV5 and an LV5 HP follows a similar process, but the physical assembly, configuration, and user interfaces make them feel like completely different products. That variety keeps things interesting.

 

Do you work on repairs as well?

Yes, repairs and rework form an important part of my role. They're probably one of the most varied areas of the job because every repair presents a different challenge. Sometimes you see familiar faults, but often you're presented with a product that isn't behaving as expected and have to work backwards to identify the cause. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of repairs. There's a real sense of satisfaction when you start with a fault you don't understand, work methodically through the possibilities, and eventually identify the issue and return the product to full working order. Of course, there are times when a fault takes longer to diagnose than you'd like, but that only makes it more rewarding when you finally find the solution.

 

What has surprised you most about working at EMP Designs?

The amount of change and continuous improvement. When I joined EMP Designs, I hadn't previously worked in the industry, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Looking back over the last four years, one of the biggest surprises has been how much the company has evolved. The manufacturing equipment has changed significantly, the production processes have improved, and there's a constant drive to make products better, easier to manufacture, and more useful for customers. There's never really a point where we decide something is "good enough" and leave it unchanged. Products continue to evolve and improve over time. A good example is our dimming products. Ideas developed for one product often influence another, and improvements made during manufacturing can feed directly back into future designs. It's interesting to see products evolve through multiple generations as new ideas are introduced.

 

Do you enjoy that constant change?

Definitely. I like the fact that if something isn't working as efficiently as it could be, it gets discussed and improvements are made. Whether it's a manufacturing process, a product feature, or a way of helping customers, there's always a willingness to look at how things can be improved. In some previous jobs I've had, you could return after a long period away and find almost everything exactly the same. At EMP Designs, things are always moving forward.

 

How would you describe the team culture?

The team culture is one of the strongest aspects of the company. Everyone is approachable, easy to get along with, and willing to help each other. In fact, one of the challenges can sometimes be making sure you stay focused because it's so easy to stop and have a conversation with people around the building. There's a genuine sense of teamwork here, and people enjoy working together.

 

What skills have you developed since joining EMP Designs?

Quite a lot. Although I came in with an mechanical engineering degree, much of that knowledge was theoretical rather than practical. Since joining EMP Designs I've significantly improved my soldering skills, gained much more hands-on electronics knowledge, and become far more confident carrying out repairs and fault-finding. I've also learned how to operate our pick-and-place equipment, AOI systems, and gained a broader understanding of PCB manufacturing processes. One of the biggest developments has been confidence. When you're troubleshooting electronics, you're often dealing with systems where the fault isn't immediately obvious. Over time you learn how to approach those problems systematically and trust your judgement. I've also gained exposure to a wide range of manufacturing techniques, tools, and processes that I simply wouldn't have encountered elsewhere.

 

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at EMP Designs?

One of the standout memories was the company barbecue we held a few years ago. The social side of the business is something I've always enjoyed, and events like that are a great opportunity for everyone to spend time together outside of work. It's definitely something we should do more often.

 

How would you describe EMP Designs in three words?

Innovative. Versatile. Family. Innovative because we're constantly developing new ideas and improving existing products. Versatile because we're able to adapt quickly to customer requirements and tackle a huge variety of projects. And family because the company has a close-knit atmosphere where everyone supports one another.

 

What kind of people succeed at EMP Designs?

People who show initiative with problem solving. You need to be willing to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and adapt to different situations. Commitment is important too. Engineering projects don't always go smoothly, and manufacturing can present unexpected challenges, so being willing to persevere and work through problems is a valuable quality.

 

Finally, what's your hot drink of choice?

Usually tea. Milk, no sugar. The classic option.