1. Describe your job in 5 words
Equipment automation and quality compliance
2. What is a cool thing you are working on right now?
Factory automation would probably be the coolest right now. In one project I am working on, we are trying to get as much digital factory technologies onto the site as possible. It’s great being able to work with these technologies and overcome the challenges of implementing them on a production line.
3. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
When I was growing up, I always wanted to be a scientist. My mother and aunt used to be scientists, so it was something that I was aware of from a young age. My mother worked in the hospital in Ennis testing blood and my aunt worked in the hospital in Limerick on cystic fibrosis in kids. She was doing advanced research into that area.
Both my mother and aunt were a big inspiration for me. I thought it would be cool to do something similar, and they inspired me to get into STEM.
4. How and why did you get into engineering?
When I was in secondary school, I took on technology as a subject as I preferred technology to science. In technology, you got to build things and do programming to create things and make them work. I preferred that side of things rather than going into science.
5. If you could swap jobs with someone for a day, who would it be?
It would be Hannah Schmitz, principal strategy engineer at the Red Bull Formula 1 racing team. Her job is really fast-paced, particularly on race days. It would be really exciting the fact that one slight mistake that she makes could impact the overall race. And that she is a major contributor to the success of the team.
6. What’s the most engineering thing you do outside of work?
I love to build Lego. The last thing I built with Lego was the McLaren Formula 1 car.
7. What’s the best thing about working for life sciences customers?
I’d say the best thing about working in the life sciences sector is the fact you can impact people’s quality of life in a positive way, especially when they badly need it. It gives you that satisfaction that you are actually benefiting people.
8. What is the best thing about being on the SL Controls team?
SL Controls is more like a family rather than a work team. Everybody looks out for everyone, and people are always there to support you. There are also always people there to inspire you with what you are working on, and there is a strong foundation of support if things don’t go right.
