Design Engineer Profiles – Meet the Designers

As part of our industry-leading and multi-disciplined project teams, RSE’s Design Engineers oversee the design aspects of projects from inception through to implementation. To demonstrate the role of the Design department, some of our Design Engineers share their personal experiences of working to develop innovative design solutions within the water industry.

More About James

James McNiven is a Senior Electrical Design Engineer who has worked for RSE for six and a half years. James joined RSE in August 2016 as a Graduate Electrical Design Engineer where he was given the opportunity to develop his knowledge and experience of design projects for three years before progressing to an Electrical Design Engineer role in August 2019. James was recognised for his success within the role and was subsequently promoted to Senior Electrical Design Engineer just over a year and a half later, in April 2022.

What does your typical day as an Electrical Design Engineer involve?

“Day to day my role comprises of designing various wastewater and clean water projects at different design stages, from scoping and detail design right through to construction. Within my team I work alongside two graduates who are progressing through the RSE Graduate Programme, both of whom assist with various aspects of designs within the Electrical department”.

What do you enjoy most about being an Electrical Designer?

“RSE delivers a complete in-house service capability, from project inception through to design, fabrication and delivery. As the business stream I work for allows for designs to be started from conception on a blank piece of paper, all the way through to being constructed and commissioned, I enjoy being able to see my designs come to fruition. This is a unique aspect of the role at RSE and allows flexibility as a designer to deliver innovative and low carbon design solutions”.

What are your career aspirations over the next few years?

“In the next few years I am hoping to work towards and achieve Chartered status with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). RSE is very supportive in helping me work towards the goal of a professional qualification and to develop my learning within the wider industry”.

More About Katie

Katie Ferguson has been with RSE for two years as a Senior Process Engineer within the Design Team. Katie joined RSE in January 2021 as a Process Engineer, after previously working for a water authority company for four years. Since joining, the team has rapidly expanded, and Katie is now responsible for providing support to a Graduate Process Engineer. In the past month she has also been promoted to Senior Process Engineer, having being recognised for taking on more responsibility within the Design Department.

What are your duties within your role as a Process Design Engineer

“The job of a Process Engineer varies on a daily basis, as we work within both clean water and wastewater design. We are involved in projects from scoping right through to design, construction and commissioning which allows a mix of both office and site-based work. During a typical working day I carry out calculations, draw P&IDs and create temporary works design within the multidisciplinary design team, as well as providing support to the Commissioning team. The Process department regularly supports other departments throughout the business, by providing advice and process input where required. My role has also recently expanded into a mentoring role to support a Graduate Engineer, by helping them to manage their workload and provide them with technical support”.

What is the most exciting aspect of your role?

“I enjoy my role within RSE due to the diversity of the job, with no two days being the same. I like being able to look at the theoretical side of engineering in the office, and then being able to apply that understanding on site through design and commissioning. Within the Design team there is a large amount of collaborative working to allow the best design solution to be put forward, so there is always an opportunity to learn from other engineers of all disciplines. Additionally, the environment can be fast paced which keeps the job interesting and allows you to continually push yourself to learn and take on new challenges”.

What are you aiming to achieve professionally over the next few years?

“Within the next few years I would like to achieve Chartered Engineer Status with the Institute of Chemical Engineering (IChemE). I would also like to continue developing within my role and take on more experience by leading the design phase for various projects”.