I started my second rotation at Husqvarna Group in Test Engineering before moving on to Product Management and my third rotation. Both of these placements have been in Charlotte, North Caroline. In the Product Management rotation I worked with robotic lawnmowers and battery-handheld products. I worked with a couple of different universities, attending field days and talking to professors about different research opportunities. Also assisting with the launch of robotic lawn mowers in North America.

I helped build a few displays, like shown in the image, for Lowes in the Charlotte area as well as one in our Research and Development office in Charlotte. For the battery handheld part of the assignment I focused on the current landscape of battery handheld tools and the different trends in the market.

In November 2019 I moved to Huskvarna, Sweden and started with Drive Systems Engineering. As a part of the Drive Systems Engineering team I am working with new battery development from a hardware and systems perspective.

So, what is it like moving to Huskvarna after living in North Carolina and Georgia USA? After living in two places that are not very cold in the winter and normally sunny meant quite a change to Sweden in November. However, whatever I lost in terms of lack of sun and the cold weather, I gained in a very warm welcome from my Swedish colleagues and fika. I was able to walk to work with the snowy view portrayed in the photo.

Then Christmas time came and I was greeted to this amazing tree.

For the rest of my trainee journey I will join the Primary development group for robotic lawnmowers. I am excited to see what this rotation will bring. Until then I look forward to learning and being able to provide my input in the battery development.

Hello Blog-readers,

My name is Kevin Caleca Jr. and I am the Global Trainee in Electric & Electrical Systems in North America for the Husqvarna division. I am twenty four years old and I am from Georgia, United States of America. I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in power systems and electrical hardware. Before starting my career at Husqvarna Group I had been an engineering intern at Briggs and Stratton, one of our engine partners. The manufacturing plant I worked at built engines for some of our riding lawn mowers; this enabled me to work with Husqvarna Group’s plant in Orangeburg. The experience and knowledge I gained from working at Briggs and Stratton motivated me to apply for the Global Trainee position at Husqvarna Group.

When I began my career here in July, my first rotation was with the R&D Test Group. During this rotation I worked on testing battery products, batteries, riding lawn mowers, developing DFMEA’s (Design Failure Mode & Effects Analysis), creating test plans, and various other projects. In the process of working on these projects, I have learned of the great lengths we go through to ensure the best quality in our products for our customers. All of the rigorous testing and comprehensive methods used in product development is vital to uphold the integrity of our products as well as the company. These experiences are not only helping me grow as an engineer, but also preparing me for my future and end goal position.

My next rotation will be working with Product Management. This rotation will give me the opportunity to step out of my engineering job and experience the business practices that are applied to our products. I look forward to broadening my horizons and getting exposure to the various components of the company.

After that rotation I will be heading to Sweden. I am excited for my future endeavors and to learn to better myself and the company. Best of all for this New Year.