About Me
Passionate professionally qualified engineer with over eight years of experience delivering high-reliability solutions across aerospace, defence and maritime domains.
I am currently looking for a new role. Browse my site and see all I have to offer.
Currently Pursuing
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Chartered Engineer (CEng) status
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Studying for GMAT in preparation for an MBA
Adon Nicholls, EngTech
ENGINEER, ENTREPRENEUR & LEADER
+44 07568522817
Email:
Location:
IG11, London
Years of Experience:
8+ Years
Phone:
EXPERTISE
MECHANICAL DESIGN
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Demonstrated expertise in mechanical design, with a strong emphasis on design for manufacturability, supported by hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, and rapid prototyping.
A career leading cross-functional teams, managing mission-critical projects, combined with a commitment to continuous professional development on the subject, has enabled me to apply a solution-oriented and data driven approach to both product development and project management.
SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Proven track record in systems integration, verification and validation (V&V), and full lifecycle systems engineering. Skilled at aligning internal and external requirements to ensure successful delivery and customer acceptance.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Aug 2024-Feb 2025
Senior Systems Design Engineer
Hanwha Phasor Ltd. (Company Shut Down)
I was headhunted to join a rapidly growing startup, Hanwha Phasor, to develop and integrate a much needed Built-In-Test (BIT) system for their Active Electronically Steered (AES) antenna platforms.
I was brought on board as there was no clear philosophy or understanding for BIT. I worked with senior stakeholders to define a path forward, building a plan for software/hardware interactions during PBIT, CBIT and IBIT for both the antenna and the internet service provider such as OneWeb.
Oct 2022-Aug 2024
Cluster Lead / Senior Systems Engineer
Alten UK / THALES UK
I rejoined industry working as a consultant for Alten, specifically with Thales as my client. I was tasked with building and leading a team to redevelop the BIT system for the CROWSNEST Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) program.
Under my leadership, we transformed BIT from a key area of concern - highlighted by senior leadership and external stakeholders - into one of the top-performing components of the program. This achievement was the result of sustained effort and collaboration, earning formal recognition from both Thales and Alten leadership.
As team lead, I was responsible for reporting progress, managing blockers, and navigating stakeholder expectations. To support this, I redesigned the JIRA dashboard framework to enhance visibility and data quality for stakeholders. I developed custom JIRA APIs to integrate with Excel and Power BI, creating intuitive visualisations that clearly identified blockers and recurring issues. This significantly improved senior management’s ability to allocate resources and plan effectively within an Agile Sprint environment.
Beyond my client-facing responsibilities, I also initiated and developed a professional registration support scheme within Alten. This internal initiative allowed colleagues to express interest and receive structured support from peers in pursuing and attaining chartership status, fostering a culture of professional development across the organisation.
Sep 2019-Oct 2022
University of Hertfordshire (UH)
Principal Technical Officer (PTO)
I led the Electrical Engineering department at the University of Hertfordshire (UH), where I was responsible for providing technical support to students, academic staff, and commercial partners. I applied my expertise in machining, fabrication, PCB design, and CAD to develop functional prototypes for Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) projects, directly contributing to significant funding being secured for the school.
Upon joining the department, I identified critical inefficiencies in accessing components and equipment. In response, I spearheaded the implementation of an asset and inventory management system, which substantially reduced waste and operational costs. Through internal audits - initiated by me and executed by my team - we were also able to donate a considerable volume of unused equipment to universities and schools both in the UK and internationally. This initiative not only improved the department’s space efficiency but also supported STEM education more broadly.
As a result of my performance, I was seconded to work alongside the Head of Technical Services and building architects, where I provided technical consultation for the design and planning of a new School of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science building.
Sep 2017-July 2019
Design Engineer & EPDM Administrator
Rotron Power Ltd. (Redundancy)
I joined Rotron during my Master’s studies, driven by a strong interest in contributing to a startup engineering company where I could make a tangible impact - specifically on their development of rotary engines for UAVs. I secured a position as a Design Engineer, which also encompassed responsibilities as the Enterprise Product Data Management (EPDM) Administrator - a critical role within quality management.
Despite being a graduate with limited industry experience, I embraced the challenge of designing, integrating, and delivering training on engineering processes and workflows. I developed essential quality tools including Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), and a Failure Reporting, Analysis and Corrective Action System (FRACAS). These systems enabled Rotron to successfully undergo ISO 9001 and AS9100 certification audits. Additionally, I built APIs to integrate the PDM and MRP systems, significantly improving efficiency across both engineering and supply chain operations.
Alongside these responsibilities, I contributed as a Design Engineer, working on a variety of components and subassemblies for different engine models. The startup’s fluid and fast-paced environment allowed me to collaborate closely with the in-house fabrication, machining, testing, and supply management teams to address real-time design and production challenges. This hands-on, cross-functional experience proved foundational to my professional growth and has shaped my approach throughout my career.
EMPLOYERS
QUALIFICATIONS, AWARDS & CERTIFICATIONS
2012 - 2018
MEng Aerospace Engineering with Space Technology
BEng: First-Class Honours
MEng: Upper Second-Class Honours
University of Herfordshire
I was accepted into an extended degree in Aerospace Engineering, a program designed to establish a strong foundation across all core subjects necessary for progression into a full engineering degree. Following strong academic performance, I was selected for the MEng cohort, where I pursued a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Space Technology.
The curriculum encompassed a wide range of technical subjects, including mechanics, dynamics, control systems, aircraft engine design and development, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion systems. The MEng degree also covered leadership and team management theory which I have been able to apply during my career.
Throughout my academic journey, I also developed hands-on skills in machining, fabrication, and rapid prototyping. These proved invaluable during my final-year group project, where I led the design and development of the power and power control systems for a self-stabilising, two-wheeled electric vehicle. In addition to overseeing the system architecture, I also built a functional scale demonstrator to validate the design.
2022
Engineers without Borders
Reshaping Engineering 2022 -
Creating Engineers with Ethics
I joined a team of four to create a presentation to highlight the problems with and proposed solutions of creating engineers with ethics. This looked at environmental and social impacts of engineers and how companies, individuals and professional bodies can rectify negative impacts.
2022
CMI
Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship
2021
EngTech
IMechE
I joined this apprenticeship in order to be equipped as an manager with the essential leadership, communication, and operational skills needed to effectively lead teams and drive performance.
Recieved the EngTech qualification from the IMechE based on experience gained throughout my career. This was an intemidierary step before I apply for my Chartered Engineer (CEng) Status with the IMechE
2021
MIMechE
IMechE
Member of the IMechE
2021
Level 3 Principles of Management and Leadership
CMI
I attained this qualification to provide myself, an emerging manager, with a strong foundation in key leadership concepts, enabling them to effectively manage teams, resources, and day-to-day operations.
2021
PRINCE 2 Foundation & Practitioner
PRINCE 2
I passed the PRINCE2 Foundation & Practitioner qualification providing a comprehensive understanding of the PRINCE2 project management methodology, equipping me with the skills to effectively manage projects from initiation to completion using a structured, process-based approach.
