Behind the wear parts: Ahmad Al-Falahi

From studying civil engineering to becoming a key part of Combi Wear Parts’ development team, Ahmad has always been driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. As a Design Engineer, his work spans from product design and analysis to creating visualizations and developing internal tools. In this interview, Ahmad shares his journey into the role, the challenges he has faced, and what he finds most rewarding about the job.

Tell us about your background – what led you to the role of Design Engineer at Combi Wear Parts?

I’ve always been interested in technical subjects and engineering, so it felt natural for me to study civil engineering in building at Luleå University of Technology. During my studies, I developed a strong interest in product design and manufacturing, which eventually led me to apply for a position at Combi Wear Parts. I first joined as an intern after graduation, and a few months later I was offered a full-time role. I’ve now been working here for almost three years.

What does your role as a Design Engineer involve on a daily basis?

My role is quite varied. The core of my work is product design, which includes understanding what needs to be developed, creating CAD models, and performing structural analyses. Beyond that, I also support customers and the sales team by creating technical drawings, and I contribute to marketing by producing renders, animations, and edited visuals. Over the past six months, I’ve also started programming and developed a few tools to help the sales team work more efficiently.

 

 

Can you share an example of a design challenge you’ve worked on and how you approached solving it?

One recent challenge was designing a new dredging tooth for our existing T-system. I began by studying older designs to ensure consistency, while also introducing new features that would improve functionality. At the same time, I had to consider manufacturability and efficiency. Throughout the process, I worked closely with partners to share iterations and gather feedback until we reached a solution that satisfied all requirements.

How do you collaborate with colleagues in other areas, such as production or development?

Collaboration is essential. We communicate a lot with customers to understand their needs and make sure our products meet expectations. The sales team is also important, since they provide valuable input on customer demands and market requirements. Production is another key partner, as a design can look great in theory but be difficult or costly to manufacture. The production team has extensive experience in identifying what works and what doesn’t, so involving them early helps avoid costly changes later and ensures a smoother process overall.

What do you enjoy most about working as a Design Engineer, and what would you like to explore or develop further in the future?

What I enjoy most is the variety of the role—no two days are the same, and every project brings new challenges and learning opportunities. Looking ahead, I’d like to continue developing my skills and gain a deeper understanding of the industry as a whole, so I can keep growing both technically and professionally.