"The feeling of having identified and eliminated a problem still excites me today!"

Jon Lilley officially assumed the position of Project Manager at our Witten branch on 01.07.2023. Having already gathered crucial experience early in his professional journey, he is well-prepared to guide his customers' ideas through to series production. We sat down for a brief chat and asked him a few questions:

You have been working in the electronics sector for a while now. What made you want to work in this industry?

I discovered my natural inclination toward a career in the technical field at a fairly young age. My journey into the electronics industry commenced when I was just 7: my uncle gifted me his old television because the Scart input was defective. Fueled by sheer curiosity, I unscrewed the back and began poking around and soon identified the issue: the socket lost contact with the PCB when the plug was inserted. I fashioned a makeshift holder for the socket using the cutting-edge technology that was available to me at the time: Lego bricks. While my solution wasn't a permanent fix, it successfully restored functionality. From that moment onward, I found myself captivated by the world of repairs and hands-on tinkering.

A holiday job at Puls-Plasmatechnik GmbH, a developer and manufacturer of devices for high-energy short-pulse modulation and supply, then sealed the direction of my professional career. I solidified my foundation by completing my training as an electronics technician at the same company. Very enthusiastic about having more than Lego in my toolbox, I expanded my expertise with a degree as a certified engineer and in business administration as well.

Electronic production is not the same as prototyping. Were you able to gain experience in electronic prototyping before beflex? Or is this new territory for you?

For the past 13 years, electronic prototyping has been at the core of my day-to-day business. My previous role delved into a unique niche where, with a few exceptions, each assembly effectively was a prototype. This experience exposed me to a diverse array of components, ranging from individual circuit boards, sub racks, and control cabinets to complete systems.

My primary responsibility was overseeing the production department at the Dortmund site, encompassing order management for series devices, as well as supervising our after-sales service. This role provided me with extensive opportunities to broaden my perspective, contribute ideas, and actively engage in various aspects of the production process. Notably, during the ISO9001 certification, I collaborated closely with the Quality Management department to define processes, establish KPIs, and implement a Quality Management system that truly reflects our operational practices. The ability to comprehend the broader picture proved crucial in this endeavor—a skill equally vital when navigating the intricacies of prototype development.

How did you find beflex electronic?

Quite straightforward and pragmatic actually: Following some restructuring in my previous company, I began searching for a new challenge and stumbled upon the role of a project manager in prototype assembly production on Indeed. Subsequently, the process unfolded swiftly, and I was promptly invited for an interview in Witten.

July 3rd, 2023 was your first working day with us. How do you feel in our team?

I must begin by saying that from the very start, during the company tour in the interview, I felt incredibly comfortable. I appreciate the healthy blend of relaxed and good-humored camaraderie among colleagues, coupled with the evident professionalism. The numerous smiling faces during the tour instantly gave me the impression that this would be a place where I could thrive.

Now, about three months into my journey here, I can confidently say that I am delighted with the path I chose. While there were a few minor challenges during the induction process, the collegial atmosphere more than made up for it. Despite being someone who typically takes a bit of time to settle into new environments, I genuinely feel that I have found my place here. I firmly believe that a workplace doesn't always have to be overly serious, and the warm welcome I received with a few good-natured jokes on my first day only reinforced that belief. Let's face it, we are all human beings first and foremost, and it's clear that my colleagues here embrace that ethos as much as I do.

You've emphasized your love of tinkering, especially in electronics. Is that also reflected in your free time?

As a rule, I'm always tinkering or working on things —whether it's working on my cars, crafting self-built devices, engaging in woodwork, or venturing into entirely new constructions using my 3D printer. The essence for me is to engage in a creative and ideally meaningful pursuit of my passion.

Diving into new projects is a constant for me. As soon as one concludes, I'm already juggling the next three. Currently, my focus is on replicating the T800 Terminator arm from the second film at Cyberdyne Systems. Fortunately, all the drawings for the required parts could conveniently be sourced online. There's a unique satisfaction in crafting something from scratch that simply can't be replicated when buying it pre-made. And, while I appreciate the satisfaction of building from the ground up, there's an even greater fulfillment in entirely constructing the piece myself.

My penchant for tinkering not only adds joy to the lives of those close to me but proves especially delightful for my niece. On her birthday this year, themed around Disney Princesses, she cast me in the role of Ariel's father, Triton. Naturally, I had to conjure up the corresponding trident:

Last year, for her dinosaur-themed birthday, I jazzed up an inflatable dinosaur costume with a microcontroller, a couple of sensors in my shoes, and some speakers. This way, the ground 'shook' with every step, at least in terms of sound. I also added the feature to make the T-Rex roar on demand—though, it sadly triggered more panic than excitement among the 3-year-olds.

I guess I have a knack for spotting potential, and I find tremendous joy in bringing it to life. You could say I'm a bit like MacGyver, although I'm definitely not interested in rocking the mullet ??

And finally, looking ahead: What excites you about your new role? Any specific goals on your radar, and if yes, what are they?

Looking ahead to my new role, I'm particularly eager about the prospect of dealing with the dynamic challenges presented by our clients. It's a great chance for continuous learning, especially given the wealth of expertise among my colleagues. My primary goal is to make a meaningful contribution to our company's success and enhance our market position. I believe in maintaining a positive and result-oriented work approach, which not only fosters individual well-being but is also instrumental in the overall success of the company. I'm genuinely looking forward to immersing myself in the role, learning from the team, and collectively achieving our shared objectives.