 He started his career as Expert at the Metal Industries Development Centre (MIDC), Bandung, Indonesia, where he also occupied the post of Associate Professor at Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia (1971—1973).Thereafter he returned to the K.U.Leuven to pursue an academic career, becoming Full Professor in 1980.He was Head of Division PMA (Production Engineering, Machine design and Automation) of KU Leuven, (1980–93 and 2001–03) and subsequently chairman thereof (2003–2010).