PROJECT ENGINEER | SERVICE TEAM | CAREER OPPORTUNITIES & GROWTH
Juho-Pekka’s Career Transition from Welder to Project Engineer at Laitex
Juho-Pekka Karhulahti’s career at Laitex is a true example of how determination, opportunity, and company support can shape a professional journey. His path began not with engineering plans or 3D software, but with metal, sparks, and a suggestion from a gym buddy.
“At the time, I was so tired of my old job,” he recalls.
And there goes the first step, Juho reached out to Laitex, and after an interview and a few welding tests, he soon found himself starting a new chapter in production at Laitex. His interest in welding had already taken root during his previous work as a heavy-duty truck technician. The move to Laitex gave him a chance to deepen those skills in a more progressive environment.
A Late Shift That Sparked a New Direction:
But Juho didn’t stop there. One evening while working overtime at Yhteistyönkatu, he experienced a turning point. “I realized I was still young and maybe had the brains to do more than weld for the rest of my life,” he says. That moment led him to prepare for entrance exams and consider a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from LAB University of Applied Sciences as a long-term path. But what about his current job, workload and managing time? Before even applying, he approached HR to ask whether combining work and studies would be possible at Laitex. The answer was a confident yes. And that’s where the spark turned into movement.
Support, Flexibility and a Move to Service Engineering: Laitex made it possible
During his first semester, he continued welding in the evenings. It was tough. But Juho stuck to the plan and reached out to Laitex about starting engineering work earlier than planned. With that, he shifted from welding to engineering tasks, with the flexibility to work from home.
The culture of trust and support at Laitex made balancing studies and work manageable. Tight schedules were rare, and whenever school had to come first, his team understood. Of course, some evenings were long and spent working in SolidWorks, but for Juho-Pekka, that was part of the learning curve and not a burden.
Learning in Both Directions with the Laitex environment:
Learning in theory on how to walk on black ice and actually walking on black ice in practice is different, right? That’s what happened with Juho, too. The SolidWorks basics he studied at school helped him get started, but real learning happened at Laitex. When he opened his very first real assignment, “designing a rotary feeder” the reality hit him fast. “I had no clue what to do,” he recalls.
The basics he’d learned at school suddenly felt lack of practicality compared to the scale of a full industrial product. But this is where the Laitex environment made all the difference.
Colleagues guided him through the work, answered every question, and never made him feel out of place. That everyday support, not just tools or titles, is what turned confusion into capability. At Laitex, you’re not expected to know everything on day one. You’re expected to learn, and you’re given the people to help you do it.
When asked about Juho’s colleagues and working environment, his immediate response was: “It’s awesome.” He credits his team for much of the positive experience.
“The whole Laitex team is helpful. Everyone brings different insights, and if you need guidance, there’s always someone to support you.”
Background becoming advantage:
Learning something will come in need you never know when. Juho’s background became an advantage. “Building a rotary feeder by hand makes designing one much easier, you immediately know which dimensions matter and what details are critical for the machine to work properly,” he says. His engineering studies deepened his understanding of strength of materials and design logic, directly influencing his performance at work, while the technical advantage of his welding background gave him a practical edge in designing machines that actually work in real conditions.
Big-Picture Thinking, Problem-Solving, Projects, and a Future in Service
The shift from welder to project engineer brought contrasts. Welding demands precision and focus on one task at a time. Project engineering requires juggling multiple responsibilities, seeing the broader picture, and handling planning pressures. Today, Juho-Pekka enjoys solving issues and turning ideas into something tangible. Designing new solutions and seeing them come to life is deeply rewarding. The work environment at Laitex plays a big role in that satisfaction.
His ambitions are clear: to grow within the project sector and eventually become a project manager for larger assignments. Working in the service team also gives him the option to travel — something he values.
His advice to young professionals is simple and direct: “If you’re looking for a workplace that lets you grow as a person and advance your career, you should definitely consider Laitex.”
From welding equipment to managing complex projects, Juho-Pekka’s story shows how initiative and a supportive workplace can reshape a career entirely.
At Laitex, potential is noticed & it’s built into a career.
