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Career Story Niels Colla

Niels Colla is a Mechanical Design Engineer at ACE Belgium (Lummen). He works as a consultant for various companies, mainly on a project basis, supporting organisations with a wide range of mechanical challenges. Through this way of working, he has been able to help different companies over the past few years while gaining experience across multiple industries and project environments.

Career background and journey at ACE

Niels joined ACE approximately four years ago, shortly after graduating during the COVID period. Before starting at ACE, he spent a year working in the sales of machine components. This experience provided valuable insight into the practical and commercial side of mechanical engineering. However, the motivation to start creating original designs and developing concrete technical solutions soon became clear, leading him to pursue a more design-focused engineering role.
That transition proved successful from the very beginning. 

One of Niels’ first projects involved the design of radiator heaters that are now sold worldwide, in collaboration with Jaga Belgium. This assignment marked the start of a series of technically diverse projects. 

Over time, he also successfully completed projects in highly demanding sectors, including the defence industry at FN Herstal.

Currently, his work focuses mainly on machine building for the food industry, collaborating with companies such as Optimum Sorting and Elmech. These projects require a strong combination of mechanical design expertise, practical insight and the ability to adapt to sector-specific requirements.

Working as a Consultant

Working as a consultant on a project basis allows Niels to gain extensive experience across different sectors in a relatively short amount of time. This way of working requires flexibility and the ability to switch rapidly between projects and technical contexts. By being present on-site with clients for each assignment, he quickly learns the specific methods, standards and challenges of each sector, knowledge that can only be acquired through hands-on experience and real-world exposure.

Technical and professional development at ACE

Niels is strongly motivated by technical challenges. Complex mechanical problems that require careful thinking and in-depth analysis are particularly engaging. Solving difficult issues and discussing possible improvements with colleagues plays an important role in the engineering process. ACE provides the space to explore these challenges, encouraging discussion, critical thinking and collaboration. 

As experience grows, colleagues increasingly entrust him with more complex and demanding engineering questions, supporting continuous technical and professional development.

Designing a machine can be challenging, but the most rewarding moment comes when the machine is finally operational. Completing a project from start to finish and seeing a machine run in practice brings a strong sense of satisfaction. It is at that moment that the full picture becomes clear, when thousands of designed components come together and work as one system to achieve a single result.

Life outside work

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After completing a project or a busy working day, finding moments of calm is important. 

At the same time, staying active remains essential. Activities such as running in nature, cycling, rock climbing or going on hikes help to recharge both mentally and physically. 

Spending time outdoors with his fiancée and their rescue dog Lola is an important way to disconnect and regain energy.
 

ACE is a place where no two problems are the same — and that’s exactly what makes it interesting.

Niels Colla
Mechanical Design Engineer

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