Shafeen is combining critical thinking, coding and confidence in his role as a Research Assistant at Santok. He’s using his TEDI-London experience to bring fresh solutions to the business world and challenge traditional engineering paths along the way.
Tell us about where you’re working now
I’m currently working at a company called Santok. They do a wide range of things, from manufacturing sanitary equipment for NHS hospitals to refurbishing phones and designing novelty gift items. My role as a Research Assistant involves exploring software solutions that could improve the efficiency of our business operations.
What area of engineering does your work fall into?
It leans more towards software engineering – particularly research and digital problem solving.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I work on prototyping rough solutions to test against our use cases. I also book demos with companies and software developers to learn how their tools might help us. A big part of my role is researching other projects that we could potentially invest in.
What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
The most innovative one so far has been developing an MCP server for the company. It’s integrated with an AI chatbot that connects to our internal database. We can use it to generate reports, send emails and calendar invites and even create 3D models and renders via Blender. It’s been exciting to build something so multifunctional from scratch.
What skills or knowledge from TEDI-London have helped you most in your job?
TEDI gave me exposure to different branches of engineering such as mechanical, digital, robotics and design, which built a really strong foundation. But the most valuable thing was learning to think critically and assess whether AI tools are genuinely beneficial to the business. I’ve had to confidently present my recommendations to the board, even when they go against initial plans.
Also, the coding skills I developed at TEDI helped me build working prototypes, that’s not technically part of my job, but it’s saved the company time and money, so it’s definitely made an impact.
What did you love most about your time at TEDI-London?
Being part of the founding cohort was really special. It felt like we were shaping something new and I genuinely believe the way TEDI teaches engineering, with a project-based focus, is exactly what the industry needs.
The real-world projects were my favourite part. They pushed us to think about the full life cycle – from ideation and design to client communication and delivery. Presenting to both technical and non-technical audiences taught me how to simplify complex ideas, which is something I use all the time now.
Was there a professor at TEDI who made a big impact on you?
Matt had a huge impact on me. He supervised my final project and we had a lot of one-to-one sessions where he supported my work in CAD and SolidWorks, which are areas I’m really passionate about. He helped me improve my efficiency and approach tasks in a smarter way, not just a harder way. His mechanical and automotive background was also really helpful for deeper technical understanding.
Is there something you wish you knew back when you were studying?
The importance of networking and actually doing it. Everyone tells you to, but it’s easy to put off. I’d recommend reaching out to people, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable. You’ve got nothing to lose. At TEDI, because our cohort was small, we had great access to visiting guests. Now I make an effort to reconnect with those people for advice or mentorship. So many have been generous with their time and insights.
What’s your advice for aspiring engineers considering TEDI-London or a career in engineering?
Push boundaries. Don’t stay in the box. The only way to truly innovate is to challenge how engineering is taught and practiced – and TEDI does exactly that. It breaks the traditional cycle, and if we support that innovation, I believe it’ll help move the industry forward.
If we keep following the same trajectory, we’re not going to make the breakthroughs we need. TEDI empowers students to think differently and that’s where real change begins.
If you could engineer your perfect day, what would it look like?
It would involve designing and prototyping with my hands but in a more futuristic way. I’d love to see a holographic interface where I can manipulate and iterate on 3D designs physically, without wasting materials. It would let me see how objects function and look before making the final prototype. That’s my dream setup.
Want to read more from our alumni? Check out Natasha and Connor’s stories to see where a TEDI-London degree could take you.