Introduction
The world is changing. The demand for skilled engineers is increasing, and at the same time the profession itself is evolving. New technologies such as AI and Computational Design require engineers who do more than calculate and draw. They must understand systems, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, and continue to develop themselves.
At MechDes Engineering, we believe that strong engineering starts with people. That is why we invest not only in the technical development of our colleagues, but also in their personal growth. Every employee has access to an unconditional study budget, because lifelong learning is not an ambition for us, but a reality.
We look beyond our own organization and feel a responsibility to contribute to the engineers of tomorrow. That is why campus recruitment and collaboration with educational institutions are not HR instruments for us, but strategic and societal priorities.
From primary school to university: engaged in technology
We are actively involved in education, from primary school to university. Not only to meet future colleagues, but above all to inspire young people to pursue technology. We give guest lectures, supervise internships and orientation placements, attend events, and involve students in real projects from our field.
You do not inspire young people with theory alone, but by letting them experience how versatile and challenging mechanical engineering is in practice. By guiding them from idea to realization, including making choices, collaborating, learning from mistakes, and continuously improving, they discover what the profession truly entails.
In this way, we actively contribute to educating the next generation in a manner that fits our DNA: creative, in-depth, and forward-thinking. So that young people have the opportunity to discover a passion for technology they did not yet know they had.
Practice stories that inspire
Our engineers stand in front of the classroom themselves, sometimes literally. We do not only want to give students insight into our work, but also truly help them find their place within the field of mechanical engineering.
What makes it special is that many of our engineers were sitting in those same lecture halls not long ago. As a result, they know exactly what students are concerned about and where they sometimes struggle. Theory is valuable, but the step to practice is significant. Especially as a young engineer looking for a place where you are not only allowed to observe, but can truly contribute.
A good example is our colleague Ewoud Biesheuvel, Senior Lead Engineer at MechDes. This year, he once again delivered a lunch lecture at the University of Twente, in collaboration with the student association Isaac Newton. It has become a recurring part of our campus activities, and for good reason.
During his lecture, Ewoud took students through his career, his daily work at MechDes, and the technical challenges he works on as an engineer. Not a standard pitch, but an honest story about what it means to shape projects from A to Z as an engineer. Precisely because he himself was sitting on the other side of the lecture hall not long ago, his story closely connects with what students are dealing with today.
It is rewarding to give students insight into our challenging projects and tell them about my career. You notice that a story from practice makes an impact.
For Ewoud himself, it is also valuable to give something back in this way. From his own experience, he knows what it feels like to search for a place to apply your knowledge while your head is full of theory. He also knows how important it is to encounter someone who shows that it truly is possible, and how.
By letting engineers like Ewoud share their stories, we make the transition from study to practice clear and inspiring for students. Not with polished narratives, but with real experiences and concrete examples. So that students can orient themselves toward their future and at the same time discover which role they want and are able to take in it.
Windesheim Zwolle: a special connection
The focus of MechDes’s campus recruitment activities lies mainly on universities of applied sciences and universities where mechanical engineering is taught. In addition to the program itself, we also consider the regional aspect when deciding to be visible on campuses.
One of the most important partners for MechDes is Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in Zwolle. More than 75% of our engineers completed their Mechanical Engineering degree there. The connection is strong and mutual. By remaining involved, we ensure that the content of education aligns with the reality of practice.
We are active on the Windesheim campus, supervise internships, provide minor assignments, and are often invited first for new initiatives. Here as well, we bring practice into the classroom, with real projects and concrete engineering challenges.
That realism is also reflected in the projects we propose. Not fictional cases, but real mechanical engineering challenges that we solve ourselves. Including design choices, complexity, uncertainties, and everything that truly defines engineering.
Engineering together in the innovation lab
At the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, we are also involved each year as a client within the innovation lab. Second-year students work on real MechDes projects. They go through the entire design phase, from concept to prototype, thereby becoming familiar with our working process. When suitable, we add a competitive element to the assignment.
One of the highlights was a competition in which teams designed a climbing crane. As a test object, we used a 3D-printed wind turbine mast. Engineering becomes truly exciting when your design climbs upward against a deadline and a competitor.
These projects allow students to experience what it is like to make decisions under pressure, collaborate, and take responsibility, exactly as we do at MechDes.
From graduation to long-term growth
We see it happen often: students who complete their graduation project with us stay on. Not because they have to, but because it fits. At MechDes, they quickly receive responsibility, grow broadly, and find colleagues who share their knowledge. Our new colleague Yorick Horlings shared the following about his first period at MechDes:
At the end of my studies at Windesheim, I started my graduation project at MechDes last year after the summer. At some companies, it can be difficult to integrate and find your place within an existing team, but at MechDes it felt very natural. I could always turn to colleagues with questions and was placed among experienced engineers, which kept the threshold for asking questions low.
The guidance during the project was also very good. In addition to the weekly updates, I could always approach my supervisor with questions, and if the answer was not there, there was always someone else willing to help me further.
The project was challenging, and I learned an incredible amount at MechDes. I enjoyed it so much that I could not stay away and immediately accepted a job offer. I have now been working for several months with the same enthusiasm as at the beginning of my internship, now as an Engineer at MechDes.
That is what we aim for: recognizing talent, giving room to grow, and building something together that is greater than yourself.
What makes MechDes such a distinctive technical environment?
At MechDes Engineering, we translate complex technical challenges into tailored solutions with a team of 100 engineers through advanced engineering. We collaborate based on craftsmanship and thorough expertise to realize our clients’ vision.
The most important asset of MechDes is its people. Every day, we focus on the development of our engineers and support staff, ensuring that their growth and well-being remain our top priority. This enables us to deliver the quality for which we have been known for more than 30 years.
Investing in young talent and operating responsibly is not only necessary to remain future-proof, it is also our way of giving something back. To the profession, to the sector, and to the society in which we operate, because technology changes the world.
That is why campus recruitment at MechDes is not a quick route to new colleagues. It is an investment in people, relationships, and the future of technology. By being visible, sharing knowledge, and challenging young talent, we contribute to shaping the engineer of tomorrow and the world they will create. We are ready. Are you?
