Employment History

Current employment

Mechanical Design Engineer-UKATC, STFC, UKRI

I currently work as a Mechanical Design Engineer designing telescopes and satellites at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) which is based at Blackford Hill, Edinburgh. The UKATC is part of the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which is part of the United Kingdom Research Institute (UKRI).

I have been involved in several projects on the upgrading of the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile.

This has included the CUBES and MOONs instruments where I have designed the CUBES Cryostat and the MOONs cable tray and nitrogen cooling lines. 

During my projects, I use Computer Aided Design for modelling and drawings as well as ANSYS for Finite Element Analysis. Learning to use Geometric Design and Tolerancing in my drawings has allowed me to communicate my designs more clearly.

Recently, I have been involved in designing a CubeSat satellite telescope project called A-DOT. 

Throughout this, I have worked alongside our project partners at Clyde Space to outline the thermal operating environment and contribute to the thermal analysis of the satellite in ANSYS.

I am currently working on a three-month personal research project designing a silicone carbide mirror for the A-DOT satellite to be made using additive manufacturing. The mirror is a lightweight design with a hollow lattice internal structure to yield a 50-60% mass reduction over the original aluminium mirror design, whilst having the thermal stability of ceramic to give the best optical performance.

This project has further increased my skills in design for additive manufacturing, having recently completed a three-day course in Design for Powder Bed Fusion.

Throughout all my projects, communication is vital and I always ensure to attend and arrange regular meetings with colleges to update them on my work and take on feedback. 

I always ensure to keep records and maintain continuous professional development at the UKATC as an associate member of the IMechE.

09/2021-03/2022

Graduate Mechanical Engineer-Tata Steel Europe

At Tata Steel, I worked in the Mechanical Engineering Maintenance Department at the 20-inch steel pipe mill in Hartlepool England. 

During this, I created a 5S visual management system for the workshop tool lockers. This was to help reduce the time spent searching for tools during mill breakdowns. 

Initially, in the "Sort" phase of the project, I consulted with my manager and the mechanical fitters who would be using the tool lockers and sorted through the existing tools to organise them into each locker, remove any broken or unused ones and order any new tools required. 

Next during the "Set into order" phase of the project, I created shadow boarding and segmented drawers with labels to ensure each tool was easy to find and put back in its correct position. During this I worked with an apprentice, giving him different tasks within the projects. This was a good experience at project management and task delegation.

Following this, during the "Shine" phase of the project, I had the workshop and the tools cleaned and made posters on the fronts of each locker to highlight that each tool was to be cleaned and put back at the end of its use and any faulty ones to be reported to the office.

Next, during the "Standardize" phase of the project, I made a checklist that was to be completed at the start of each shift to check the tool lockers for any missing or damaged tools that would then be reported to the office. 

Finally, during the "Sustain" phase of the project, I regularly consulted with the shift engineers and my manager to monitor how the lockers were being used and resolved any issues with them. One issue was that the lockers were not being locked when left unattended resulting in tools going missing. I then installed latching locks on each door so they could be easily locked when left unattended, reducing the number of tools going missing.

Another project I oversaw was the overhauling of the pipe varnish machine to improve the operational efficiency of the mill. During this I consulted with my manager and the main operator then surveyed the machine to outline any components needing repaired or replaced. Following this, I sourced the part drawings and instructed an engineering firm to manufacture the parts. I then created an instructional document outlining the procedure to replace the parts on the machine for the mechanical fitters.

I also oversaw the replacement of the two, six meter long, pneumatic cylinders used to clamp the pipes on the varnish machine. Initially I surveyed the machine and analysed the data sheet for the replacement cylinders to work out any modifications or mounting hardware required to fit the new ones. Following this, I designed some mounting brackets for the new cylinders and instructed a local engineering firm to have them manufactured from my drawings. After checking they fitted to the new cylinders correctly, I then created an instructional document detailing the removal of the old cylinders and retrofitting of the new ones.

After these varnish machine repairs were carried out it was able to operate according to its original specifications and this improved the overall efficiency of the mill.

My other responsibilities included creating and managing the various jobs to overhaul broken parts in the workshop. I would log them on sap, a software to manage company operations, then work with the different mechanical fitters, electricians, and third-party companies to ensure the jobs were carried out quickly and efficiently. 

During one of the mill shutdowns, I worked with the mechanical fitters for a week, helping to fix some of the machines and giving my input as a mechanical engineer which was greatly appreciated.

I was given a variety of training. This included workshop training and safe use of machinery, IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health), working at height, and working in confined spaces.

I enjoyed the variety of work I was given, getting hands-on experience with manufacturing and fabricating designs I created and fixing machinery on the mill. Furthermore, I enjoyed being independent in managing the projects I was involved in and working with various people from different departments.

09/2020-05/2021

Algacraft 

As part of my final year dissertation, I worked at Algacraft, a start-up company investigating automated analysis of algae growth. My role here was to develop their prototype photobioreactor (a machine to control and find optimal algae growth conditions) into a product. This involved designing various components on the bioreactor and ensuring all components assemble into a product that was manufacturable in low volumes. This developed my skills in design and taught me about the various stages involved in prototyping and product development. 

I enjoyed working at Algacraft and it fuelled my enthusiasm for product design and development. I enjoyed the challenges of creating new innovative designs and learning about rapid prototyping and 3D printing.

Below are some pictures highlighting the main components I developed. Most notably was the design of the flask cap of the photobioreactor. Here I developed the cap prototype to ensure the flask was easy to remove from the photobioreactor. This included designing quick connectors for the gas hose attachments and having a flange with locking pins to ensure a secure but simple to use interface between the flask cap and the bioreactor as shown below. 

01/2020-07/2020

Reliability Engineer-Senvion UK

During my fourth year I completed an industrial engineering placement at Senvion UK, a wind operations and maintenance company, where I worked full-time in their Edinburgh office and laterally from home due to the lockdown. 

My main responsibilities were to: 

• Design tools and equipment using hand calculations, Solid Works CAD design and FEA.

• Analyse oil and grease reports from turbines using specialist software, recommending actions to customers for maintenance.

• Create processes and procedures for turbine gearbox bearing exchanges.

• Support service technicians and operations.

One of the main projects I worked on was improving the turbine gearbox bearing exchange process and procedure. This involved designing a crane and various custom tools. The new tools and procedure allowed the bearing exchange to be performed by Senvion technicians rather than by consultants from the gearbox manufacturer, saving Senvion money. 

I was also tasked with project managing turbine lightning rod retrofits to prevent cases of snapping rods as well as designing the parts for the installation of a turbine gearbox condition monitoring system. One of my regular tasks was analysing turbine bearing and gearbox lubricant reports to determine any appropriate actions to ensure smooth running of the turbines.

During my time working at Senvion I developed my skills in CAD design and adherence to ISO standards, as well as my problem solving, communication and leadership skills. I gained hands-on experience with some of the different tools and software used within the wind industry including the Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) turbine monitoring software. I also learned about different health and safety procedures, working with, and completing Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) and non-conformity reports.

I enjoyed working at Senvion and getting to experience working in an office environment. I liked the friendly working atmoshpere and getting to be heavily involved in real projects. Working with different people from technicians to company executives developed my communication skills and getting to present my designs and take on feedback from colleges in company meetings taught me how to present ideas clearly. Working at Senvion gave me a passion for the wind and renewables industry.

Below is a poster summarising my work at Senvion along with some annotated pictures of the projects I worked on there.

06/2013-08/2018

Bike Track People Ltd. Technician (Part-Time)

I worked at Bike Track People on a part-time basis for over 5 years. My involvement included the design, prototype, development and manufacture of bike tracks using structural wood, GRP and aluminum. Through this I learned to work with a mixture of hand and power tools.

I would often make key decisions throughout the manufacturing and design process, enhancing my problem-solving skills. On occasion I was also part of a team that took the tracks, bikes and equipment to events throughout the UK.

Working at Bike Track People was a great experience and I enjoyed the close and supportive community of people there.