My job: Career on firm foundations

Matthew Findlay came to engineering via a science degree in geology. Photo / Supplied

Name: Matthew Findlay
Age: 33
Role: Operations manager for Brian Perry Civil.
Working hours: 7am-5.30pm and some weekend work depending on project.
Typical Salary: $100,000 +, plus vehicle.
Qualifications: Master of Engineering: Pavements (La Trobe University, Melbourne), Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science (University of Auckland).

What do you do?

I work for Brian Perry Civil, a construction company specialising in structures and foundation work for infrastructure projects. We're a part of the Fletcher group of companies and contribute to piling and foundation work for major Fletcher infrastructures, such as Tauranga and Manukau Harbour crossings.

As operations manager I put together project teams, then support them and get them any additional help required for doing the projects. I also help with securing new work through the tendering process and preparation of tenders and maintaining of relationships.

I've been two years in this operational role which is more about human resources than engineering. Before this role I was a project engineer and before that a site engineer.

What do you do as a site engineer?

A site engineer looks at the drawings and specifications of whatever is being built and prepares packages that detail how it will be constructed.

It involves liaising with more experienced people on site, talking to clients and engineers about how to achieve specifications and looking at budgets and projects.

It also involves overseeing the physical work on site, working closely with teams and supervisors and doing things like marking out where things are going to be.

History?

After graduating in 2000 I got a graduate civil engineer role with Works Infrastructure where I spent two years in rotation through different parts of the business, including time in their labs working on research projects.

Graduate programmes are good - I found putting theory into practice requires a different skill set from university.

After that I moved into a site engineer role for a couple of years, working on the Greenhithe motorway project.

Then I switched to an area project engineer role for Fletcher Construction at the start of the Northern Busway project. I stayed there three years before moving to my current role.

Why engineering?

I originally did a science degree in geology, which was about understanding materials and natural resources. After completing it I looked at my options and interests and saw I could do either master's study in geology or a bachelor of engineering.

I took engineering because I have always been interested in how things work and go together. I majored in resource engineering (now called environmental engineering). It took another three years; they knocked a year off because of my science degree.

Training and experience?

An engineering degree. Postgraduate studies is also encouraged in this company. I was encouraged by a mentor to do a Master's part-time while working and I'm really pleased I did because it was great being able to see how the theory and practice came together.

A lot of large construction companies will invest in tertiary study of staff if you prove you are worth the investment by getting physically involved in engineering companies, working hard, demonstrating skills and asking for additional responsibility.

Skills?

Communication skills are very important. You have to be able to work alongside people because it's all about teams. You must also be prepared to learn, gain experience and really take ownership of solving problems rather than expecting other people to solve things for you.

Most enjoyable aspects?

I like the physical construction of things so I enjoy being able to get out and see things I'm involved in. I like the huge variety, the team environment and working with like-minded people.

Challenges?

Making the transition from engineering to people management was challenging. When I was younger and in site roles, the challenge was to have confidence to put my hand up and offer ideas in an environment where I was the least experienced in room.

Interesting projects?

Last year we spent 12 months upgrading Grafton Bridge. It was fascinating working on such an iconic structure. In 1910 the bridge was the largest single span arch bridge in world so it was a bit of a marvel.

There were practical challenges, such as how to get up and under the structure and what loading it could take. We also had to be creative about not impacting on the huge number of pedestrians using it.

We finished ahead of time and under budget so we were very proud of that and of being involved in a significant piece of historical infrastructure. The Northern Busway was fun from an engineering perspective and won awards, which makes it even more significant.

The future?

I'd like to continue to be involved in large infrastructure type projects and their construction, whether in a project team role, construction and project management role or operational or branch manager type role. There are lots of different avenues.

Civil engineering offers really good opportunities because lots of money is being invested into both new infrastructure and the upgrading of very old infrastructure.