Electronics Weekly
Next in our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2024, we profile Mila Crook, both a student at the University of Hertfordshire and an Electronics Engineering Degree Apprentice at Leonardo.
Achievements
Mila joined Leonardo in 2020 as a Level 3 Technical Apprentice. Having completed A-Levels in STEM subjects before joining the company, she quickly realised that a Degree Apprenticeship would be more suited to her career aspirations, we learned.
It was her Placement Manager at Leonardo who nominated Mila, and they highlighted the impact she has already made:
“Since starting the BEng Electronics and Electrical Engineering Degree, she has proven herself both academically and in her placement work. Apprentices at Leonardo move through their home-function’s departments, with the aim of finding a role that works for both the apprentice and the department. In this case, Mila has had Electronics Function placements in Microwave, Firmware, Electronics Hardware Design and Antenna Design.”
She joined the Antenna Design group full time in 2024 and has contributed to projects ever since. On joining the group, she has had to learn how to use new skills and tools, we heard, including complex electromagnetic (EM) simulation programmes and understanding key antenna design principles.
After quickly picking up the basics, Mila started work on Leonardo’s ‘applied research’ projects – which has seen her investigating novel fabrication techniques that can be applied to manufacturing of antenna piece parts.
Her work has seen her exploring emerging additive manufacturing technologies for electronics design, we were told.
Her first task, for example, involved reading a research paper which proposed a similar concept to the project’s research theme, and replicating this work in a simulation tool to understand the design in more detail.
Mila has since successfully developed designs for test pieces, which can be used to evaluate both the technology and the antenna feed concepts. Part of this activity included writing custom MATLAB code, based on theoretical equations for microwave impedance transforms, to calculate parameters for the EM modelling tools.
She has presented her work both at internal design reviews and with suppliers, answering technical queries with little need for support from colleagues.
“Design for Manufacture (DFM) conversations with our supplier revealed certain aspects of her test pieces could be better optimised for the fabrication technique being used. This resulted in Mila proposing a modified version of the test pieces, not previously explored in published literature, for which she had to develop her own equations to parametrically define the CAD. These novel test pieces may be suitable for a patent application, if the design embodiment proves successful. Mila’s work has already caught the attention of senior internal stakeholders, recognising her important contribution to research at Leonardo.”
In conclusion, her nominator summarised Mila’s impact as follows:
“Mila is a valued member of her local department, with her work being recognised in the wider company for her contribution to engineering research activities. Her STEM event outreach leadership is reliable, organised and considerate. Respected by both her peers and superiors for her knowledge and skill, I believe she deserves to receive an EW BrightSparks award.”
Electronics Industry ViewpointAsh Madni, MD of Madni Technologies, also shared his viewpoint on Mila’s entry.
He told us he was very impressed with Mila’s meteoric rise, seeing her as a very motivated, self-driven individual who is keen to prove herself an essential member of the team.
“Working in defense and for Leonardo is a very tough challenge and the breadth of skills required is incredibly high. Mila has demonstrated very impressive skills and developed at a trailblazing pace. We need to keep an eye on her career, for the future is bright for her. Very well done Mila and keep going!”
Community
Mila has participated in a range of community or STEM outreach work, we learned.
For example, she has been a STEM Ambassador since joining Leonardo. And she also serves as an ‘interface’ between the wider apprentice community at the company and fulfilling STEM event staff requirements.
Specifically, she now co-leads the ‘Engineering the Future’ STEM Events Outreach work for Leonardo. In this role she has been responsible for several events a year, involving hundreds of local school children at her site.
She also co-organised Leonardo’s presence at The Big Bang Fair, This is a national science fair at the NEC, aiming to increase awareness of STEM careers.
More informally, she has been helping to mentor colleagues and peers – sharing technical information, best practices and skills for the development of fellow apprentices .
Congratulations to Mila Crook!
See also: Elektra Awards 2024 – The Winners
