July 1st 2024
Sales Account Manager Roelof Brits explains how an ex-helicopter pilot fell in love with photonics and the Netherlands
He used to be a helicopter pilot, flying in Afghanistan and Northern Africa. Now, his fascination with photonics brought him to the Netherlands – and to PHIX.
Roelof Brits arrived in Twente from South Africa a month ago, and his wife and two children have only been here for a few days. “It’s all still very fresh,” says the new PHIX Sales Account Manager. That being said, it has been a very pleasant and smooth start so far. “Coming from a busy city area, the first thing I noticed was how much quieter it was here. I really appreciate the nature, the forests, the calm, and the friendliness of the locals.”
Even though he is still getting used to cycling everywhere, Roelof feels that Twente suits him very well. “I find the environment to be very accommodating.” This is partly thanks to the university, he adds. “Students bring a certain dynamic to the area. Some people might find it annoying, but I really like it. I’m a larger-than-life person and I find this invigorating.”
“The moment I saw photonics integrated into an aircraft I knew this was the technology of the future.”
It wasn’t the university campus or the forests that led to the decision to move halfway across the world, though. It was Roelof’s newfound love of photonics. “I used to be a helicopter pilot and I love aerospace,” he says. “The moment I saw photonics integrated into an aircraft I knew this was the technology of the future.”
After learning about photonics four years ago, Roelof then embarked on a “self-study journey”, learning about the technology and how it’s being used by various companies. All on his own and with a determination of a “bloodhound”. That’s how he learnt about the photonics ecosystem in the Netherlands and about PHIX. And as fortune would have it, PHIX had an opening at the time.
“I’ve always had this instinctive belief in the value of photonic chip technology,” says Roelof. “Only the future will tell if I am right or wrong, but for now, let me enjoy the journey.”
The journey took him to the Netherlands, and he is excited for this next chapter. “Right now, we are resetting our life. Everything we do is new and exciting. It feels like a vacation even if we just go to a park near the house,” he says. “Our shipping container arrived a week ago, and so we are still busy with settling in our new house, but soon we want to taste the local lifestyle. I’ve taken up playing beach volleyball, which I really like, and my wife is thinking of playing hockey. I’d really like to delve into exploring and enjoying the Netherlands. I want to understand the country to give us a good chance to integrate.”
Are you interested in a career at PHIX?
As a rapidly growing integrated photonics packaging foundry we are always looking for new talent. Even if our current job openings aren’t an exact fit, we are eager to meet promising candidates who are experienced in photonics.
