Workshop version 4

Currently working freelance & always looking.

Mechatronics, Electronics & Industrial Systems Engineer

Fire & Life Safety Specialist

Trading as SolutionPoint | Cornwall & Southwest UK

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Highly skilled and versatile Mechatronics and Electronics Engineer with over 35 years of hands-on experience across microelectronics component-level repair, industrial electrical infrastructure, compressed air pneumatics, and automated control systems. Proven background in servicing and installing fire detection, life safety, and telecommunications systems, backed by formal certifications in BS 5839-1 (Fire Alarm Maintenance & Design), BS7671 18th Edition Electrical Wiring Regulations, and BCAS Compressed Air Safety. Demonstrated track record combining mechanical, electrical, and firmware diagnostic skills to solve complex engineering challenges in industrial, commercial, and agricultural environments.

CORE ENGINEERING COMPETENCIES

    • Microelectronics & Board-Level Repair: Chip-level troubleshooting and repair for vintage computers, arcade machines, industrial controllers, and automotive ECUs/BCUs. Proficient with digital oscilloscopes (Rigol MSO5074), logic analyzers, logic probes, IC/EPROM/CPLD/JTAG programmers, and thermal imaging cameras (UNI-T UTi260B). Custom PCB design and microcontroller integration (Raspberry Pi, Arduino, CAN bus).

    • Fire Alarm & Life Safety Systems: Certified in BS 5839-1 Unit 5 (Maintenance) with strong practical understanding of BS 5839 Part 1 Design & Certification. Skilled in installation, servicing, and board/loop-level troubleshooting for addressable and conventional fire alarm panels (Kentec, Tunstall, Fike, Ctek) and detection hardware (Hochiki, Apollo). Accredited Aico Expert Installer for interconnected residential detection systems.

    • Industrial Electrical & Controls: BS7671:2018 (18th Edition) and PAT certified electrician. Expertise in 3-phase power, inverters, Zelio PLCs, WAGO DIN rail control modules, and un-metered utility electrical connections.

    • Pneumatics & Compressed Air: BCAS Working Safely with Compressed Air and BEKO Compressed Air Treatment accredited. Full lifecycle capability across piston, screw, and vane compressors, Prevost pipework, and automated pneumatic control systems.

    • Telecommunications & Security: Hands-on experience installing, supporting personal medical alarms, door entry systems, fire alarms, CCTV, and networks. Partnered with BT Wholesale on early business ADSL broadband rollouts across Cornwall.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Electrical Mechanical Engineer | AddAir (Cornwall) Jun 2019 – Dec 2022

    • Designed, installed, serviced, and repaired industrial pneumatic and compressed air infrastructure for food manufacturing plants, commercial garages, and agricultural facilities across Cornwall.

    • Maintained heavy-duty screw(Boge Compressors), piston, and vane air compressors.

Electronics Engineer | Tunstall Telecommunications / Medical (Doncaster) 2017 – Dec 2018

    • Delivered technical service, installation, and field support for personal care medical alarms, fire alarm panels, door entry controls, and CCTV installations.

    • Diagnosed and maintained fire alarm equipment across Hochiki, Apollo, Fike, Kentec, and Ctek hardware platforms.

    • Integrated fire safety signaling with wider emergency response networks, medical sensors, and building access systems.

Field Engineering Subcontractor | Cerco IT, Fujitsu, HP, Dell Jul 2016 – Jan 2017

    • Executed EPOS installations, store refits, and IT upgrades for major retail clients including Morrisons and Halfords.

    • Provided on-site field support and warranty hardware repairs for HP and Dell desktop and printer lines throughout the Southwest region.

BT  2014 - Jun 2016 (plus?)

Owner & Lead Engineer | SolutionPoint / Self-Employed 1986 – Present

    • Established and managed an independent engineering practice offering board-level electronic repairs, vintage computer restorations, custom automotive ECU/BCU repairs, and bespoke industrial automation.

    • Previously built and operated an office equipment dealership with 4 staff with an office equipment shop Tuckingmill junction, managing direct service contracts for Epson, Olivetti, IBM, AEG, Olympia, Microsoft, Sage, and driving early business ADSL adoption with BT.

    • Engineered stage lighting rigs, theatrical special effects, and safety controls for events.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

    • Fire & Life Safety Certifications: BS 5839-1 Modular Course Unit 5: Maintenance Certification | Understanding of Fire Alarm Design & Certification to BS 5839 Part 1 | Aico Expert Installer

    • Electrical Compliance: BS7671:2018 (18th Edition Electrical Wiring Regulations) | PAT (Electrical Equipment Testing)

    • Compressed Air & Industrial Safety: BCAS Working Safely with Compressed Air | BEKO Compressed Air Treatment Accreditation 

    • Highway Traffic Management: (Road Closures & MEWP Operation)

    • Formal Education: Microcomputer Technology & Microelectronics

    • Manufacturer Training: HP, Tunstall, Dell, Epson, Kyocera, Lexmark, AEG, Olympia, Olivetti, Minolta, Amstrad, Microsoft, Sage

KEY PROJECTS & COMMUNITY ENGINEERING

    • Camborne Town Christmas Lights: Lead engineer responsible for fabricating custom light displays, managing Western Power un-metered grid connections, leading highway safety operations, and issuing formal structural/electrical safety test certificates.

    • King Edward Mine Volunteer Technician: Maintains historic mining machinery & guiding to educate 

    • Motorsport Engineering & CNC Fabrication: Custom design, precision CNC machining, and rebuilding of competition gearboxes and differentials for rally and trial vehicles.