Ordinarily I’m a project engineer, but at present I’m the project manager for our control system for ME-B engines. I’d say that my job is a good mix of managerial tasks, such as looking after schedules and contacting other departments and people abroad, and more practical, hands-on work, where I get to develop new programming applications for the engine. In my department, Electronics & Software, we work closely together and are very project-oriented. As project manager, I’m involved in a variety of meetings, both daily stand-up meetings, where we sketch out what we’re doing here and now, and meetings involving several departments, where we discuss the various solutions that have been put forward. It’s great working with different specialist areas, as you can bounce ideas off each other. I find my colleagues very capable and extremely professional compared with the university environment I came from.

The computer is the most important tool I use, of course, with the object-oriented programming language C++ being indispensable in my day-to-day work, such as when we have an idea that needs to be modelled for different classes. We also use UML to put the various concepts in place. I use the test wall on a daily basis too, as it’s no good developing new programmes if they don’t work in practice. I find it extremely interesting to experience all the specific tools needed to develop control systems for diesel engines, as it enables me to progress.

The ethos is good, and you can sense that the company has its roots in the old B&W with the sports club and Friday café, as well as being an international business that’s developing rapidly, with partners in China, Korea, Turkey and Vietnam. I think that’s part of the reason why people like it here. It’s great working for a company where you have the opportunity to travel as part of the job. Personally I’d like to be posted to the USA for six months, and there’s a chance that could happen.  All in all, MAN Diesel & Turbo is an extremely challenging and instructive place to work – apart from which it’s quite cool to be able to say that we build engines for the world’s biggest ships!