Industry: Industrial manufacturing / automation Client: Manufacturing-equipment supplier, Sweden Service: Training and development Duration: Intensive 6-week programme Participants: 12 mechanical engineers
The challenge
A manufacturing-equipment supplier was moving toward increasingly software-driven products. Their mechanical engineers — highly skilled in mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics — needed to understand embedded systems in order to:
- Collaborate effectively with software engineers
- Troubleshoot problems in the field
- Design products with the software-hardware interplay in mind
- Reduce dependency on external embedded-systems consultants
Previous training attempts had failed: too theoretical, too little hands-on practice, no connection to the company’s actual products — and the engineers felt intimidated and lost interest.
Hisland’s approach
We designed a tailored programme, “Embedded systems for mechanical engineers”, specifically for this client:
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Format: 2 evening sessions per week (3 hours) + hands-on labs at weekends
- Structure: 60% practice, 40% theory
- Projects: Using the client’s own hardware and products
Curriculum:
- Weeks 1–2: Embedded-systems fundamentals, microcontrollers
- Weeks 3–4: Sensor integration, CAN bus communication, real-world protocols
- Weeks 5–6: Live project work on the company’s equipment, debugging techniques
Teaching methods: Live coding, pair programming, debugging of real equipment faults, guest instructors from leading embedded-systems companies, and peer learning.
Delivered
- 12 engineers completed the intensive six-week programme
- 3 live projects completed on the company’s own hardware
- Over 90% knowledge retention verified through practical tests three months later
- Hands-on lab sessions using the company’s own equipment
- Ongoing support, including an alumni Slack channel and monthly follow-ups
Results
- 8 of 12 engineers now contribute actively to embedded-systems projects
- Reduced dependency on external consultants by 40%
- Faster product iterations thanks to better cross-functional understanding
- Payback in 6 months through reduced consulting costs (€120,000 saved)
- Increased confidence in the team (measured via surveys)
- 2 engineers became internal “embedded champions” who mentor others
- The client requested an advanced follow-up programme for next year
Before the training, I was intimidated by the code and avoided discussions about embedded systems. Now I debug CAN bus problems and even propose firmware improvements. The hands-on approach with our own products made all the difference.
— Anders Svensson, senior mechanical engineer
Our mechanical engineers were intimidated by embedded systems before the training. Hisland’s approach — practical, relevant and using our own equipment — transformed them. Now they contribute to firmware discussions, spot problems early, and we have substantially reduced our dependency on consultants. The best training investment we have made.
— Erik Lindström, Head of R&D, manufacturing-equipment supplier
Programme content: Embedded C programming, microcontroller architecture (ARM Cortex), sensor integration, CAN bus protocols, debugging techniques, RTOS fundamentals and practical problem-solving.