University and degree: Instrumentation and Control BEng (Hons)
After graduating university, I was excited to secure a graduate position as a Control Systems Engineer at Royal IHC. When I started, I was placed straight into a team of experienced engineers commissioning a subsea plough at the port of Blyth, getting hands on experience with the modern control systems and learning how they are tested ready to be released to the customer. After 6 months working on the subsea plough, it was finished and I was moved straight to a new project using all the skills learned to help design and implement the control systems on a new J-Lay system to be constructed ready for delivery in 2020.
The plough project consisted of 2 SCADA servers connected to 4 PLCs within one integrated network, the new J-Lay system consists of 18 PLCs, 2 SCADA Servers and 6 SCADA Clients. To provide the functionality and safety required for these systems, state of the art hardware and software is used.
I’ve been lucky with the experience I have had so far. Working both at the Port of Blyth and back at the office has given me a good insight into how Royal IHC design, construction and operate the specialist equipment.
My journey with the company has been challenging and very rewarding. The specialist equipment Royal IHC build have provided unique and puzzling problems, which push you to think out the box. Working with a team of highly experienced engineers, I am looking forward to the projects I will work on in the future.