Since arriving in Australia earlier this year, Sudesh Budram has helped the Factory of the Future to lead South Australia’s embrace of Industry 4.0. He explains how his military service helped broaden his horizons, and that helping the next generation of engineers has provided him with a career highlight.
What is your role and what does your work focus on?
My role is Senior Manager, Operations within the Factory of the Future, and my core focus is facilitating the implementation of Industry 4.0 to support Australian primes such as BAE Systems Maritime Australia with manufacturing Hunter Frigates. The Factory of the Future (FotF) aims to bring together education, industry, and government to boost innovation and contribute to a growing economy. My two decades of demonstrative skill and defence experience will lead the Factory of Future’s design, establishment, and operations at Tonsley Innovation District.
What journey brought you to this point in your career?
After seven years spent serving in the military, and working as a Technical Specialist on Fighter Aircraft, I decided to broaden my knowledge and share my expertise. I joined the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Defence and Security, Technology for Special Operations in 2008, focusing on specialised design and advanced manufacturing to support the South African Special Forces, where I was instrumental in establishing the Advanced Design and Manufacturing Innovation Centre, focusing on Industry 4.0 technologies. In my role at the Council, I worked with various defence agencies and industry partners to support a range of special projects. In 2022, I migrated to Australia, and I joined Flinders University.
What is something you love the most about your work?
I love the complexity and challenges of the program I’m working on, and being able to articulate ideas and solutions into reality. I’m privileged to work with the AITI team and the various levels of knowledge. I love translating that knowledge to support development of the Factory of the Future.
What is something you would like people to know about your role?
Agility and flexibility are essential in my role, with a high level of analytical thinking and experience in complex problem-solving. Client relationship management is a critical factor, and building relationships is fundamental to the success of the Factory of the Future.
What is something you are most proud of?
I’m proud of being a mentor for the past 14 years of my career, supporting young engineers’ human capital development and providing knowledge to build skills and capabilities. I have many career highlights, but a standout is working with Paramount Defence on the AHRLAC Program; seeing the aircraft take flight was astronomical. I now look forward to new career highlights with Flinders University.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Is there such a thing as a typical day? My days are full of meetings that manage operational matters related to the Factory of the Future. I provide support and knowledge on project-related activities towards the engineering team and operations support to industry programs. Collaboration is the key to success in my role, and I enjoy engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
How do you like to relax or spend your spare time?
My relaxation time is spent on the water fishing. It brings a sense of calm to my soul and instils patience. I love it! Through my entire life, I have escaped from the fast-paced city life into the countryside or the ocean to spend my free days fishing. It’s tranquil and magnificent when you catch that one fish you have been waiting for all day. I’m also a passionate cyclist and runner, which is not relaxing by any means but it still somehow frees my mind and fires my imagination.