Engineering is a continuous learning process

With extensive experience in the mechanical engineering field, Erik Junesand, UHT’s new Lead Mechanical Engineer, shares his thoughts on the profession and how his background in the automotive industry can be applied to equipment design.

“I see engineering mostly as a form of problem solving. There are always new challenges, but the methodology for finding a solution is usually the same,” Erik says.

Erik Junesand graduated from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm with a master’s degree in integrated product development. He describes his time at KTH as both interesting and fun, and he also had the opportunity to study in Italy as an exchange student. Erik then began his career working with protective and armour technology before moving on to the heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania AB.

“I mainly designed routing for compressed air systems in trucks and buses. It was a valuable learning experience to work in cross-functional teams where we had to consider different aspects, such as technical features and assembly line requirements.”

After a few years at Scania, Erik continued his engineering career at Kongsberg Automotive in Norway before deciding to move back to Sweden and take up his position at UHT.

“The steel industry is new to me, and I am still in a learning phase, but I also think of engineering as a never-ending learning process,” Erik says.

In his role at UHT, Erik will coordinate mechanical design and provide technical solutions for GRANSHOT® and converter plants together with the Project & Design team. He explains that each project presents different challenges where you have to find the best solution for each case.

“You have to ask yourself how certain requirements can be met under the specific conditions of each plant and test different solutions in CAD.”

Problem-solving skills may also come in handy at Erik’s summer house by the coast just north of Stockholm.

“I really like gardening, and there are always different things to take care of, whether it is planting vegetables or cutting down a few trees. I try to spend as much time there as possible with my partner and our newborn daughter,” Erik says.