Zoe Hall

Having spent more than 20 years at EMP Designs, Zoe has played a part in hundreds of projects spanning film, television, visitor attractions, motion control systems, lighting products, and bespoke electronics. As a Senior Design Engineer, her role combines electronics, software, mechanical design, prototyping, and problem-solving, often all within the same project. It's this variety that has kept the role exciting for over two decades.

 

Tell us about your role at EMP Designs.

It's difficult to describe a typical day because there really isn't one. One day I might be designing a PCB, the next I could be creating 3D models, writing software, helping the manufacturing team debug a product, or researching a new technology. Today, for example, I've spent part of the day reading a datasheet for some new technology. The reality is that every project brings different challenges, and that's one of the things I enjoy most about the role.

 

What has been your most interesting project?

After twenty years, that's a difficult question to answer. I've enjoyed a huge number of projects over the years, particularly the motion control systems we've developed for film productions and visitor attractions. One project that stands out is the Vulcan, 24k Motion head. Although it was a stressful project at times, it was particularly satisfying because I was involved in every aspect of it. It wasn't just electronics or software in isolation. The project combined PCB design, mechanical design, software development, manufacturing considerations, testing, and client delivery. I enjoy projects where I can see the whole system come together and understand how every part contributes to the final result.

 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The diversity. I enjoy learning new things and being exposed to new technologies. There's always something different to investigate, whether that's a new communication protocol, a new piece of hardware, or a different approach to solving a problem. At the moment, for example, I'm learning more about IO-Link and industrial communications. The constant opportunity to learn is one of the things that has kept the role interesting for so long.

 

What skills are involved in your role?

A typical project can involve electronics design, software development, mechanical design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing support, and customer interaction. One of the things I enjoy most is taking a systems-level approach and understanding how all those different elements fit together. It's not enough for something to work electronically. It also has to be manufacturable, maintainable, reliable, and practical to use. Balancing all of those requirements is what makes engineering interesting.

 

How quickly can ideas become reality at EMP Designs?

One of the strengths of EMP Designs is how quickly we can move from concept to prototype. If a client approaches us with an idea, it's often possible to have a prototype produced within a matter of days or weeks depending on complexity. That speed allows us to experiment, iterate, and solve problems rapidly.

 

How much freedom do you have to experiment?

Quite a lot. One of the advantages of working in a smaller engineering company is that ideas can be explored quickly. If we identify an opportunity or believe there's a better way of doing something, we can usually investigate it. There's a lot of freedom to prototype, test concepts, and explore different approaches before deciding on the final solution. That ability to experiment is an important part of innovation.

 

What's the most unusual thing you've worked on?

There have been so many unusual projects over the years that it's difficult to choose just one. One project that stands out is developing some of the earliest electronic lightsabers we built. At the time, addressable LED technology was still relatively new, and we were exploring techniques that would later become common throughout the industry. It felt very much like stepping into the unknown and developing something that hadn't really been done before.

 

How would you describe the culture at EMP Designs?

It's friendly and collaborative. Everyone has different strengths, different experiences, and different areas of expertise. Projects are often improved because people contribute different perspectives and ideas. People are encouraged to ask questions, share opinions, and get involved in solving problems. There's a strong sense of teamwork and a willingness to help each other.

 

What kind of people succeed at EMP Designs?

Adaptable people. Projects can change quickly, and one week might look completely different from the next. Being able to move between different technologies, industries, and challenges is important. A willingness to learn is probably one of the most valuable qualities someone can have. And a sense of humour certainly helps as well.

 

What's it like working across electronics, software, and mechanical systems?

I really enjoy it. Many of our projects combine all three disciplines, so you get to see how hardware, software, and mechanical systems interact. Taking that broader systems approach is often where the most interesting engineering challenges appear. It's rewarding when all those individual elements come together to create a complete working solution.

 

What excites you about the future of EMP Designs?

Continuing to explore new technologies and tackle new challenges. One of the reasons I've enjoyed working here for over twenty years is that the company is always evolving. We're constantly looking at new technologies, new markets, and new ways of solving problems. That willingness to innovate keeps things interesting and creates opportunities to keep learning.

 

Finally, how would you describe EMP Designs?

Friendly. Collaborative. Innovative.