From summer temp to project engineer: Marciano builds a career at Contour!

“I never expected this when I walked in as a summer temp eight years ago!” Marciano laughs. “From the automotive industry to metalworking, and now from CNC operator to project engineer. Looking back, so much has happened. That transformation, that drive to grow, is exactly what Contour makes possible!”

Production experience? Worth its weight in gold in the office!

“My years on the shop floor are worth their weight in gold now that I am a project engineer. I reap the benefits every day. Seeing a product and immediately having a mental picture of how we are going to make it, often before a drawing program is even involved, that is the power of hands-on experience. It is great fun to be able to apply that knowledge in the office now!”

The start: curiosity as the engine

“My adventure at Contour began in production. I came in through the staffing agency as a summer temp and worked with the PEM press and spot welding, among other things. But the CNC press brakes really appealed to me. First conventional bending, and soon I moved on to CNC robot bending. The machines fascinated me enormously. How does such a thing get moving? How do you program it? That curiosity was my engine.”

Learn, learn and learn some more: the road to CNC programmer

“Contour saw my drive and gave me all the room. I started a BBL apprenticeship as a sheet metal fabricator at MBO level 3 (BBL is a work-study apprenticeship with an employment contract; MBO is Dutch senior secondary vocational education, levels 1 to 4). Four days of work, one day of school, a perfect combination! I took internal and external courses for the new press brakes and the robotic press brakes. When my interest shifted to programming, I was allowed to take the CNC programming course. Internally, colleagues Daniël and Andre taught me the finer points, and externally I took courses for specific software such as Flux. That is how I grew into a CNC programmer for both the press brakes and the robots.”

Marciano, project engineer at Contour

The next step: more stimulus, more challenge

“Alongside my work, with Contour’s support, I also earned my MBO 4 diploma as a drafter-designer. A few years as a CNC programmer were incredibly instructive, but I noticed I was ready for a new stimulus, more challenge. I said that I wanted to look further.”

The leap to the office: project engineer, a bull’s-eye

“That is how I ended up in my current position: project engineer. A role where work preparation and drawing come together. The move to the office was a leap into the unknown, but the support was fantastic. The gradual transition, with a rotation between production and office, made the step a lot smoother.”

Flying start: warm handover and steep learning curve

“My colleague Freddy in particular showed me the ropes in our ERP system (ISAH), the CAD drawing program, how to cost products, and what to look out for with outsourcing and lead times. There is so much involved! It is a mix of technology, logistics and cost calculation. Our motto ‘on spec, in budget, in time’ (OSBIT) really guides our work here. That guidance was great.”

Never a dull day: dynamics and responsibility

“Now, after more than a year full time as a project engineer, I can say: I have found that challenge! I work with various customers, from the agricultural sector to the semiconductor industry, each with their own specific requirements. From small, smart brackets to complete machines, the variety is enormous. No two days are the same. I feel I will need years to learn all the finer points of this trade. The art is to arrange everything, from A to Z, perfectly so that the customer gets a flawless product delivered on time.”

Sitting still? Not an option!

“And the development does not stop. I am currently doing the Associate Degree in engineering, a program between MBO level 4 and HBO (university of applied sciences) level. Contour encourages and facilitates that growth, and I think that is fantastic.”

A team that clicks: sharing young talent and experienced knowledge

“The atmosphere in the office is great. We have a nice mix of young colleagues eager to learn and experienced people who like to share their knowledge. Older colleagues are open to new ideas, and we, the younger generation, bring fresh perspectives and recent practical experience. My colleague Jeroen, for example, has an enormous amount of theoretical knowledge; I knock on his door just as easily. We can’t know everything, so we learn from each other. With the generational change there is also room for fresh energy, and that is working out great so far. I feel completely at home here.”

Seizing opportunities, building a future: why Contour?

“I am enormously grateful to Contour for the opportunities I get to keep developing and growing. That is truly unique. And the company itself does not stand still either. It continuously invests in the newest machines and techniques, such as recently laser welding and new options for printing. We are far from done learning here at Contour, and so am I! Do you also want to grow, challenge yourself and work in a top team with the most modern techniques? Then Contour is the place for you. Seize your chance!”

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