Interview with Darci and Khoorshid – Engineering Interns at Mission Systems
MS: So, let’s start with where you’re both at. Darci, are you still studying?
Darci: Yes, I’m in my final year of Mechatronics Engineering at UNSW.
MS: Fantastic. And Khoorshid?
Khoorshid: I’m in my third year, studying Biomedical Engineering at the University of Sydney.
MS: Great! Let’s rewind a little—what led you to engineering in the first place? Did either of you always see yourself in this space?
Darci: Growing up, I always enjoyed solving problems and figuring out how things worked. I liked maths and physics, and mechatronics felt like a good balance of both the mechanical and electronic sides of engineering. It’s very hands-on and innovative, which really appealed to me.
Khoorshid: For me, my dad is an engineer and he always encouraged me to go into that space, so I always saw it as a possibility. Plus I was drawn to the idea of using technology to help people, which led me to biomedical engineering. It connects healthcare and engineering, which I thought would be a perfect mix. But over time, I realised I enjoy the engineering and design side much more than the medical content like biology.
MS: Seems like it was a very logical pathway for both of you. And how did you find out about the work here at Mission Systems?
Darci: At the start of 2024, I went to the University of Sydney’s career fair, even though it’s not my uni! A friend told me it was open and that some great companies would be there, so I went. Mission Systems had a booth, and I spoke to a few engineers. I hadn’t heard of the company before, but they explained what they were doing in automation across land, sea, and air. I was really impressed, especially that they were manufacturing in Australia. I put my name down, kept in touch, and eventually interviewed in August. That’s how I got the summer internship.
Khoorshid: I also met the Mission Systems team at a career fair—at the University of Sydney in April. Darci was there too, along with some other engineers. They talked me through the work they were doing, especially on drones, and I was fascinated. I gave them my details, stayed in touch, and then got called in for a short internship. And that’s how I joined the team!
MS: And it’s quite a hands-on internship, isn’t it? You’re not just writing code or watching from the sidelines—you’ve been assembling actual hardware, building drones. That’s a pretty rare opportunity for interns. Tell me about that experience.
Darci: Yes, we’ve been working on assembling 100 drone gimbals. When I started, the manufacturing process was still being refined—things like the materials, screw types, and overall design details were still being finalised. I worked closely with Lachy, the mechanical engineer who designed the gimbal, to test assembly methods and write up clear instructions. I built the gimbal several times myself to figure out the safest and most efficient assembly method—especially because there’s a flexible PCB inside that can be easily damaged. In our first trial batch of ten, six were damaged, so we had to solve that quickly. Once we had the process down, I helped train new interns and engineers on the correct way to assemble them. In the end, out of a hundred, only one PCB was damaged. I was honestly amazed—and proud—of that result.
MS: You should be! And Khoorshid, what was your role in all of this?
Khoorshid: When I first heard we had to assemble a hundred gimbals, I was a bit nervous! But Darci walked us through the process, and once I started, I actually really enjoyed it. I realised how much I like the assembling side of engineering—building something with your hands and seeing it work. I also used what I’d learned in my degree to help with testing the PCBs and troubleshooting. It was great to connect theory with practice. When they called me back later to assemble 40 more, I said “Yes, absolutely!”—I was excited to come back.
MS: You’re both still at the start of your careers. What do you think the future looks like for women in engineering—especially in high-tech environments like Mission Systems?
Darci: It’s definitely changing. In some engineering fields, like biomedical, you see a higher percentage of women. But in areas like mechanical or mechatronics, we’re still underrepresented. When I first joined Mission Systems, I wasn’t sure what to expect as one of the only women engineers—but I felt immediately welcomed. The team here is really aware of the need for diversity, and they’re open and supportive. Compared to five or ten years ago, there are far more opportunities for women in these roles now.
MS: That’s encouraging. And Khoorshid, how about you—where do you see yourself in the future?
Khoorshid: Even though I’m studying biomedical engineering—and there are many women in that field, especially among my peers at university—I’ve realised through this internship that I’m not as interested in the medical side of things. What I really enjoy is the hands-on, practical side of engineering: building, testing, and solving problems. Working at Mission Systems has opened my eyes to how much I enjoy defence and commercial applications of mechatronics. I’d love to continue in this direction—something where I can keep assembling, designing, and working on real-world systems like drones and automation technologies.
MS: I love hearing that. You’re both such bright, capable young women—Mission Systems is lucky to have you! Thanks for sharing your stories.
