“Learning a lot through varied assignments”
My name is Leon Wierenga, and I have been working at the VIRO Groningen office since September 2025. After completing my studies in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Groningen, I started looking for a place where I could develop myself as an engineer at the beginning of my career. My choice for Biomedical Engineering stemmed from my interest in the combination of mechanical engineering and the human body. My subsequent step towards Mechanical Engineering was to further broaden my engineering expertise.
Developing myself as an engineer
After completing my studies, I took a few months to explore the job market, as I was looking for a position where I could learn a lot and develop myself as an engineer. During this period, I came across a vacancy at VIRO for a Junior Mechanical Engineer position. The description of this role matched my expectations for a job as a recent graduate.
What stood out to me during my first weeks at the office was the guidance you receive as a starter. A new working environment always takes some getting used to, but colleagues are always ready to help you get started. In addition, there has been and still is active attention given to finding work that matches my interests and goals.
Technical work & responsibility
I am now working within the ASML team in Groningen as a Designer. In this role, I am involved in the entire design process, from translating requirements and constraints into a design and analysing potential bottlenecks to producing technical drawings. I am currently working on the redesign of a tool. The combination of technical work and being responsible for solutions makes the job varied and challenging.
Developing myself at VIRO
In addition to the technical challenges, I also focus on my personal development. During my first year, I became familiar with many different aspects of the field, which has allowed me to explore the direction in which I would like to develop further. VIRO offers an environment where you can grow, develop yourself, and work on a wide range of projects for diverse clients.