What’s your position at Eadon and what does your role entail?

I’m a Designer. I handle the modeling and drawing side of things. I also spend a lot of time with new starters getting them up to speed on how to model and draw to Eadon’s best practice standards.

Tell us a bit about your academic background.

I took a different path than most as I didn’t study for a degree. I was offered engineering as a GCSE option so I started there. After that I completed a two-year, full-time BTEC National Diploma in Engineering at college, followed by a day-release course to earn my Higher National Certificate (HNC). I began my career at 18, gaining around 16 years of experience across various companies before joining Eadon.

What inspired you to go into engineering?

Engineering felt like a natural choice since I was always around my Dad and Grandad who were both engineers. I was always doing some kind of DIY project or thinking of things to build. While I was in college, a company came in recruiting, and they offered me a design job. It ended up being a perfect fit.

Can you tell us about a project that gave you a strong sense of accomplishment?

The lock gate project on the Caledonian Canal during lockdown was one I felt really proud of. We designed massive lock gates, and it was challenging because we were all working from home and coordinating through remote meetings. The initial design phase took six months, and once that was complete, we just adjusted the design to fit each specific lock. It was a great learning experience.

How do you typically approach unexpected challenges in your work?

We work as a team and approach unexpected challenges together through brainstorming sessions. If I know about a problem in advance, I try to come up with solutions or sketches to bring into the meeting and then we work together to refine or even reimagine those ideas. Collaboration is key.

How do you balance cost considerations with client requirements in engineering design?

Machining costs are often the limiting factor. We always aim to match the technical solution to the client’s budget, design life and required robustness and reliability. This manifests itself in component selection and material finishes and fits, something key to the Designer’s role. For other clients, the best technical solution is paramount and in those cases we can work with less financial restrictions. It’s about understanding the client’s end requirements and balancing those with practical, reliable, cost-effective design choices.

What excites you most about the future of engineering and technology?

The advancements in 3D printing are really exciting. It’s come so far from when it started, and now we can 3D print metal and create highly functional parts. They can even 3D print houses now! The possibilities just keep growing, and it’s incredible to watch it evolve.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their journey in engineering?

I would say tell them to take on as much knowledge as they can without getting overwhelmed and find a path or sector within engineering that really interests them. Then focus on building expertise in that area.

What do you think makes someone successful as an engineer?

It’s not about getting everything perfect on the first try. It’s about collaborating with your team to produce the best possible outcome with minimal errors and revisions. Success is a team effort.

If you could work on any engineering project, past or present, what would it be and why?

I’d love to design something like a Lamborghini or Ferrari. I’m a big car enthusiast, so working on a supercar would be a dream.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I recently ran my first marathon, which was tough but rewarding. It’s sparked a new interest, so now I’m signed up for the Manchester Marathon and I’m planning to do marathons across Europe. Outside of running, I enjoy spending time with my wife and son and bike riding.