Harry Warring

Inspired by the world-changing aspects of Physics, Harry harnessed problem-solving skills for a career in aerospace technology.

I was not the most academic student at high school, but I enjoyed learning how everything works. This made physics the most enjoyable out of my high school subjects, leading me onto choosing a Physics major for my science degree. Physics breaks the world into manageable pieces and allows you to understand it at a fundamental level, which was one of the things I enjoyed most in my studies. This analytical scientific method is also probably the most important skill I gained during my studies. By realising that a problem can be understood by breaking it down into its constituent parts, Physics offers those who study it a unique perspective on the world. The understanding Physics offers can be incredibly useful and allows technological progress to continue, improving our lives in the process.

My undergraduate degree led me on to a PhD studying materials at their base level. I had access to state-of-the-art equipment, which I used to prepare thin film devices of novel materials and then look at them in extreme environments of low temperatures and high magnetic fields. The skills and experience I gained during this time working with vacuum systems and cryogenics, as well as modifying and repairing scientific equipment, prepared me well for my current work as a test engineer at Rocket Lab. We are currently developing spacecraft for various interplanetary and lunar missions. We are also developing a new orbital launch vehicle, Neutron, to lift heavier payloads and expand our launch capabilities. My role is to test rocket hardware, understand how it works at a fundamental level, how it can fail, and to feed that information back into the design cycle of the rocket. Physics offers a broad understanding and skill set which helps in this testing and data-gathering process.

My main advice for students considering a major in Physics would be to try and enjoy solving problems, and see them as a journey rather than an obstacle.