Recent Graduates

Design Engineer – Ramboll UK

What does your job involve?

My work as a structural engineer involves ingenuity, imagination and inventiveness. It encompasses several issues and every day is different.

I am involved in developing the early stage concepts of building structures, through to detail design and site supervision. I work closely with a variety of other professionals including architects, building services engineers, contractors and clients. I enjoy the work I do, especially the variety of schemes that I find myself involved in. I have worked on projects in residential, commercial, sports, leisure, recreational and education sectors.

Describe your typical day:

The nature of the work I do means that no two days are the same. A typical day often starts with a team meeting, this can be followed by detailed hand calculations of a part of a structure or by using computer to model and analyse a complex structure.

A telephone call from a construction site can alter the agenda for the day. You can spend the rest of the day dealing with and addressing site queries to enable the contractor to complete a piece of work on site - time is often of the essence - and when the need arises, I can be asked at very short notice to visit the site and carry out inspection of steelwork arrangements before concrete is poured. Of course, it’s not only about brainstorming and finding solutions, but each day has an element of fun as well!

As a designer engineer, I aim to find solutions that have less environmental impact, including for instance, specifying what type of paint will have a less harmful effect when used to coat a steel element to prevent corrosion.

I work on both small scale projects involving single element designs, to large scale multi-million pound schemes as part of a team. One of my favourite projects had been the design of Liverpool Football Club’s new stadium to be built in New Anfield, Liverpool. As a design reviewer, I have had to collaborate with various teams in other offices to discuss design assumptions, structural models and stability issues.

I am currently working towards becoming a chartered structural engineer, an opportunity which will give me the chance to further my career in any part of the world.

Outside of work, I am passionate about promoting engineering to the young people. I consistently make time to work with students, to impart my knowledge and enthusiasm. I regularly give talks and organise engineering competitions at colleges and universities.

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