Quick Chat with Gorgon Project Engineer Thursday, 17 November 2016

Meabh Hurley shares her career highlights and advice for young engineers just starting out.

Current job title and function?

Project Engineer specializing in Civil and Structural engineering at SNC-Lavalin.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working with SNC-Lavalin’s subsidiary, Kentz Pty Ltd on the Telecommunications and Electronics (T&E) project on the Chevron Australia-operated Gorgon Project. Kentz Corp was acquired by SNC-Lavalin in 2014. 

Most challenging or interesting project you’ve ever worked on?

The current Project I am working on is the Chevron Australia-operated Gorgon Project, where our team delivered a category D cyclone rated 120m Communications Mast on Barrow Island, a Class A Nature Reserve.

The mast supports a number of radio systems and plays an essential role in ensuring reliable communications on the island. The constraints of the site’s restricted footprint and remote location presented several major engineering and construction challenges.

Any advice for young engineers just starting their career?

Unless you have a very specific area of interest, try to diversify across various aspects of your selected discipline, ideally through a structured graduate development program.

Be proactive in dealings with your employer, and as you gain experience make your employer aware of any areas that you require more exposure to.

Never be afraid to ask too many questions, no matter how silly you think it may be. Make the most of all the learning and training opportunities you can get.

If you weren’t an engineer, what do you think you would be doing?

A bit different, but veterinary science. I love animals and being out and about in the fresh air.

What do you see as one of the biggest issues facing the engineering profession?

Current global market conditions are having major effects across all sectors and there is a reduction in the level of investment in longer term capital projects as well as significant delays in financial investment decisions.

As engineers, I think flexibility is crucial, along with having an open mind and investing time and effort in the development of new technologies.

I think it’s important to push towards competing in more value added markets, with the engineering industry at the forefront to ensure the engineering profession continues to develop and adapt.

If engineers had to save the world, who would you want on your project team?

The Project team I currently work with as they have vast experience across different disciplines and are a great bunch of people.

As well as that, I would want historical mathematicians and engineers such as George Boole and Isambard Kingdom Brunel on my project team - imagine what they could achieve in modern times; Boole with his logic and Brunel with his ingenuity and drive.

Thumbnail image: Meabh Hurley

Main image: Communications Mast on Barrow Island. Provided by Chevron Austalia.