LU student gains hands-on aerospace experience at Future Metals LLC

Junior industrial engineering major Rami Zaidan is interning this summer at Future Metals LLC, where he works in the aerospace industry.

Future Metals, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, specializes in aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, and even more metals that are used in airlines and aviation. Zaidan worked in the warehouse, making improvements to the management systems.

“Future Metals is an outstanding workplace with a high-energy, go-get-it culture. With 50 years of experience and 11 locations, Future Metals supplies quality metals to the global aerospace market.”  Jimmy McKee, division manager at Future Metals’ Texas Division said. “Our products are used in various aircraft systems, from jet engines to cabin interiors. Our customers can rely on us to deliver products when and where they need them to smooth out the supply chain turbulence. Our parent company, Marmon Holding Inc. (Under Berkshire Hathaway), has over 120 autonomous operating and manufacturing locations internationally that service industries ranging from Medical, Transportation, Plumbing and Refrigeration, Crane and Rail.”

Zaidan’s experience at Future Metals allowed him to witness firsthand how a dynamic, globally connected company operates within the aerospace sector.

“I have a love for aviation and aerospace, and having this hands-on experience was incredibly rewarding,” Zaidan said. “The practical exposure to industry challenges and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects have inspired me.”

During this internship, Zaidan has been a part of real-world projects and gained fundamental experience.

“My specific role within the project team was to optimize the workflow and material space in the warehouse,” Zaidan said. “This involved assessing the current inventory management system, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing strategies to enhance efficiency. Additionally, I collaborated with another division on RFID inventory management, working to integrate this technology into our processes.”

His responsibilities included: conducting data analysis, preparing reports, and presenting findings to the team to ensure that the improvements were effectively communicated and implemented.

“The most valuable takeaway from my internship experience is the importance of attention to detail and the impact of thorough quality control processes,” Zaidan said. “I also learned that effective communication is vital for successful project implementation and collaboration across different teams.”

Zaidan is being mentored by Jimmy McKee, who was a student of Lamar University’s President Jaime Taylor.

“Jimmy is a great leader and mentor. His extensive experience in the aerospace industry and deep understanding of quality control were invaluable,” Zaidan said. “He provided guidance on best practices, offered insights into industry standards, and helped me navigate complex challenges. His support and encouragement were instrumental in my growth and success.”

During the internship, Zaidan was challenged by the rigorous standards required for aerospace materials, but collaborative company culture allowed him to overcome this challenge.

“Rami has been a massive asset to our team at Future Metals - Texas this summer. He came in eager to learn, asked many questions, and took initiative on the high-impact projects he executed. We couldn’t ask for a better attitude from a team member.” McKee said. “You don’t expect an engineering intern to come in and positively impact a culture within three months. Rami proved it is possible by not just working hard on data analysis, but also by physically working in the plant, showing us what it means to be a team player.”

“Overcoming this challenge helped me develop a keen attention to detail and problem-solving skills,” he said.

This accomplishment laid the groundwork for further hands-on experiences that solidified Zaidan's commitment to engineering.

“This internship reinforced my passion for engineering by providing me with tangible examples of how engineering principles can be applied to solve complex problems and improve processes,” he said. “Working on a project that had a direct impact on the company's operations was incredibly rewarding and confirmed my desire to pursue a career in this field. The experience of collaborating with skilled professionals and seeing the practical applications of my academic knowledge has motivated me to continue learning and growing as an engineer.”

Motivated by this experience, Zaidan is eager to expand his knowledge and pursue leadership roles in the engineering industry.

“I plan to pursue further certifications and advanced degrees to deepen my knowledge and stay abreast of the latest industry advancements. Ultimately, I aspire to take on leadership roles where I can drive continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the advancement of aerospace technology and processes.”

Rami Zaidan transferred to Lamar and has taken most of his courses online. Lamar University is the only university in Texas with online undergraduate engineering programs. According to Texas Crews, Lamar University’s Industrial Engineering ranks first in first-year income of all Texas public Universities with the lowest burden among all Texas Universities.

To Learn More about Industrial Engineering visit lamar.edu/industrialengineering