A word from OptiServe colleague: Wouter Donkers
Today we speak with Wouter Donkers (27), Project Service Engineer at OptiServe since May 2023.
Starting at OptiServe
Wouter: “I started here as a part-time employee in May 2023. At the time, I was still a student of Technical Physics at Fontys in Eindhoven. I still had a number of deadlines and an exam to complete my studies. I wasn’t working on that full-time, so I started looking for an employer where I could work after my studies. My studies focused heavily on theory, and I missed some basic practical experience. I had no experience with tools or basic technical components such as motors or electronic parts. I was looking for a place where I could develop my practical competencies, without deviating too far from what I was trained for.”
Wouter found that ideal combination of knowledge and practice at OptiServe. “I then ended up at OptiServe. They offered me a job where I could fulfill two roles: one as a Service Engineer and one as a Project Engineer. My first year would be focused on my role as a Service Engineer, so that I could subsequently develop as a Project Engineer.”
Wouter: “Currently, my focus is primarily on project management and product development. I ensure that internal projects run smoothly and also execute many projects myself: machine building, research, experiments, etc. Thanks to my experience as a Service Engineer, I hold a unique position where theoretical possibilities, practical execution, and direct communication with our customers come together in the development of our systems.”
Small company with big clients
“OptiServe is a relatively small company with big clients. The great thing about working in a small, close-knit team is that lines of communication are short and you are involved in everything. As a result, my work as a Project Engineer requires me to be able to function in a very broad sense. Knowledge is needed of electrical panels, drive technology, Machine Vision, pneumatics, mechanics, software, and so on. This ensures new challenges every week. I rarely do the same thing the day before. In case of emergency during busy periods, I can also be deployed for service-related matters, and if technical support is needed in commercial meetings, I am included as well.
Great products
I think our products are absolutely amazing. They are a combination of a huge number of different technical facets, and the end product works extremely well. Although we are a small player compared to our major competitors, the results of our machine do not lie. We are at least as effective as our competition, and we have great flexibility that we share with our customers. We discuss their specific requirements rather than selling a standard, identical machine. We are always ready to start new projects stemming from niche needs customers may have regarding the purchase and use of the machine. Therefore, development never stands still.”
