Callum:

We’ve been asked to share our experiences as interns at Gibson Robotics, so let’s dive into the first question: “What made you want to work with Gibson Robotics?”

For me, Gibson Robotics stood out because the internship offered hands-on engineering projects, unlike other options that seemed more focused on research and reports. While we did our share of those, the main focus was on iterating a full aerodynamic and structural UAS design, which was exactly the kind of engineering challenge I was looking for. What about you, Struan?

Struan:

That’s a great point, Callum. For me, having worked with Gibson Robotics on my final year thesis at Strathclyde, I was already familiar with the team and their work in advancing the Uncrewed Aerial Systems industry. When the internship opportunity with NMIS (National Manufacturing Institute Scotland) came up, I was excited to work on a project with real, tangible outcomes in the counter-UAS field.

Callum, could you share more details about our role at Gibson Robotics?

Callum:

Sure! Our main role at Gibson Robotics was to take the Master’s project design that you worked on and turn it into a manufacturable design, while also improving it if possible. I focused on the aerodynamics side, researching, creating, and analysing wing designs that fit our mission parameters, ensuring they were manufacturable. You focused more on the structural side, but what I loved about this project was how collaborative it was. We all worked together to solve problems, and I couldn’t have achieved as much without your help, Struan.

Speaking of collaboration, we’ve also been asked, "What do you enjoy most about working in a startup environment?" Want to take that one?

Struan:

Absolutely. I've worked in various workplaces, from farms to an investment bank, but the atmosphere at Gibson Robotics was entirely different. In our small team, I felt that the work I was doing was meaningful and would leave a lasting impact on the business. This was my first experience after university where I truly felt like an engineer—facing challenges, creating conceptual solutions, and bringing them to detailed design stages. The constant flow of ideas and ad-hoc engineering discussions on our office whiteboard were incredible. Plus, engaging with multiple stakeholders, each offering their expertise, was invaluable for someone just starting their career.

Having spent a lot of time working with others, a question for you Callum would be “What’s one piece of advice you received during your internship that you’ll carry with you in your career?”

Callum:

That’s a tough one! We had some great mentors at Gibson Robotics, like Dylan, our supervisor, and Niklas from NMIS. One piece of advice that really stuck with me was Niklas’s philosophy of "Telling an Engineering Story." He emphasised the importance of being able to explain each decision you make in a project as a story with a beginning (the problem), a middle (the solution), and an end (the conclusion). He likened it to a trial, where your solution is the defendant, and you are its defence lawyer. Every decision must be defendable with solid reasoning and sources. Of course, Dylan’s nuggets of wisdom, like “Thursday is the new Friday” or “Life should have some whimsy in it,” were just as valuable.

Next up, “How has this internship influenced your career goals, and what’s next for you?” Over to you, Struan.

Struan:

Honestly, before this internship, I was uncertain about my future career—even applying to consultancies... But this summer has reignited my enthusiasm for engineering. I was truly impressed by the team’s breadth of knowledge and their business acumen at such a young age. I hope to emulate that in my future career—advancing technology while having fun doing it.

After this internship, I’m fortunate enough to be spending six months travelling through Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, with a quick detour to the USA. I’m sure it won’t quite compare to a summer in Glasgow!

How about you, Callum? What are your plans?

Callum:

I’m about to start my final year of university, with a semester abroad in Austria to kick things off. After that, I’ll be looking for a job, and I’ve got to say, my time at Gibson Robotics has definitely shaped my plans. It gave me a real sense of what it means to be an engineer and what aspects of it I enjoy most.

Now, the final question: “In one sentence, how would you sum up your summer at Gibson Robotics?”

For me, it would be, “A great blend of technical problem-solving and high-level planning, with a good side of fun.” How about you, Struan?

Struan:

“Gibson Robotics has reignited my passion for engineering, reminding me of the creativity, technical rigor, and whimsy possible in the field.”

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