My journey with RED started in 2018 as an Undergraduate. My Mechanical Engineering degree at Heriot-Watt University included a Diploma in Industry Training (Placement Year) which I spent in RED’s London office working as part of the Building Physics team. During my placement, I got to experience a wide range of different projects, from CFD and IES work, through to undertaking energy studies on live data centres.
As I progressed throughout the year, I was able to take on more responsibility for my own work, such as running small internal CFD projects. This year greatly improved my technical and analytical skills, as well as other softer skills such as communication, organisation and team-working. My placement was rounded off by working on a research project with my manager at the time, investigating re-entrainment into chiller plant compounds, which I got to present at a conference in Rome a year later.
When I completed my degree in 2019, I returned to RED’s Newcastle Office as a graduate after receiving a formal job offer. I worked as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer as part of the Newcastle Colocation team. Since returning I have had the chance to work on a wide range of different data centre projects all over the globe, some of which were for well - known web-based services clients. The role of Mechanical Engineer is quite varied, and each project offers something different.
With each new project, there are always opportunities to improve my technical knowledge and skills as an Engineer. RED are often at the forefront of utilising new technologies within this sector, and as a key example of this, I recently worked alongside the R&D team to assist them in their research into liquid cooling, a new and upcoming cooling technology.
I have also been a STEM Ambassador since returning to RED as a graduate, and recently participated in the STEMazing Academy where I role modelled being a woman in STEM for primary school children by running online science activities.
I have since been promoted to Engineer level and also achieved chartered status with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and I look forward to continuing to work with RED as I progress further in my career.
