Meet Tiit Libe, the beat behind Milrem’s band!

By day, Tiit is Engineering Manager in Prototyping. His job involves leading the Proto team — organizing work, keeping things on track, and staying in touch with the client side. He’s also in charge of the workshop itself: making sure it's stocked, safe, and running smoothly. Engineers from other teams come in to build and test their systems for the first time, so there’s always something happening. It’s hands-on, fast paced, and never boring. By night (or at least after work), he’s behind Milrem’s band drums.

Tiit has been in Milrem for over 6 years, and he started as a Senior Mechanical Engineer in 2019. Right in the middle of the combat vehicle design sprint. From battery frames to radiator stacks, he helped shape key systems during an intense and high-energy phase. When the design was done and it was time to build, he stepped up as the on-site Technical Project Manager. He set up shop in the workshop and led the first prototype built through COVID, supply delays, and tight budgets.

Against all odds, the team delivered a fully working product in just two years — an achievement that pushed Milrem’s engineering to the next level. That project not only shaped future platforms like the 8x8 and TRCV but also led to the creation of the Proto team, which he helped build from the ground up.

We asked what makes Milrem special for him and Tiit says: Ambition! I think that mindset comes mostly from the company’s founder, Kuldar. Even if I don’t always agree with every direction or decision, one thing has stayed constant — Milrem is known for taking on bold, ambitious projects. Tiit feels that it’s not the simplest way to do things — but it’s never boring. Still, it’s good to remember there’s a fine line between ambition and going full throttle without a plan.

But how did Tiit end up behind the drums? He picked up drumming only about 8 years ago — completely from scratch. It was one of those ideas he’d carried around for years but never acted on. Then one day, he bought a basic drum kit from a classified ad and started jamming with a couple of friends. No music school, no formal training — everything he’s learned has come from YouTube, practice, and pure feel.

What’s cool is how it’s carried over into work. Not just the drumming, but being in a band — listening, staying in sync, playing as a team. It’s the same mindset he brings into every project. Tiit says that drums and bass are the foundation of music — they must be perfectly in sync to create the right emotion and quality. Leading a team is kind of the same. There’s a rhythm and routine, but also a lot of other details. You must take responsibility, start the “song,” and see it all the way through. That shared drive — that’s what connects both.

Tiit’s first memory of Milrem: The company had about 50 to 60 employees back then, and people were already talking about reaching 100 soon. It felt unbelievable and almost sci-fi. Today, there are over 400. Oh, and the guy I’d been calling Toomas for two weeks. It turned out his name was actually Heiki. We asked from Tiit what he would be doing if he would not be an engineer or a drummer. I guess I’ve always dreamed about those kinds of projects — or at least about how to get there. I studied mechanical engineering at TTÜ but ended up working in IT for about 12 years. Still, you can’t fight your calling forever, and eventually, I felt the pull back to engineering. Now, I really feel like I’m in the right place. And the band? That’s been a great bonus.

Milrem’s band decided to try it out, and now we have a nine-person band, rehearsing secretly in basement, debuted at our Christmas party last year, and now next stop is our Summer Days - SUMI! For the newcomers - The name? Mechanical Rebellion The vibe? Loud, chaotic, and totally unforgettable. PS! On the picture Tiit is with the drum sticks.

On behalf of the band, they are super grateful that Milrem is a company where you have full support in everything – even if it is our very own band. In Milrem we value teamwork! We do everything with our hearts and the mission we carry - whether work wise or doing a band - is what makes our company such an amazing place to be.