Three months ago, I leaped into a new chapter of my career by joining KOMAREK as a Technical Services Engineer (Process Engineer). Coming from a background in Chemical Engineering, my career up to this point has been rooted in industries unfamiliar to the world of briquetting and compaction granulation. Moving from the fast-paced world of oil and gas to the more niche dry bulk handling industries was a significant shift—but looking back at my first 90 days, it is a transition I am incredibly glad I made.
As a process-focused engineer, my role is to help bridge the gap between customers’ process inquiries, sales intake, lab/material testing, preliminary engineering design, and third-party equipment suppliers that are all needed to quote full grassroots and process improvement projects for KOMAREK. I’ve already taken very small roles in the beginning stages of various projects throughout North and South America and have learned so much. From translating customer requirements and test work into functional process flows to meeting with and consulting various third-party equipment suppliers to ensure commercial and technical alignment, I’ve certainly had my work cut out for me so far.
Every industry has its own language, and dry bulk handling is no exception. While the fundamental engineering principles remain the same, adjusting to the nuances of solids processing has been quite a challenge. Fortunately, the team at KOMAREK, under the greater Köppern Group umbrella, has been incredibly supportive and full of many brilliant and talented people. All things considered, I’d say I’m adjusting quite well and am very lucky to have landed this position. I feel right at home in the Wood Dale office.
If the first three months are any indication of what’s to come, I’m in for an exciting ride. I’m looking forward to deeper collaboration with our sales, engineering, and service teams, and to taking on more complex processing engineering challenges as I further develop throughout the dry bulk material handling industries.