Richard Buckley

Richard Buckley
JOB Project engineering manager
EMPLOYER SembCorp Simon Carves Ltd
DEGREE BEng control and systems engineering (1997)
UNIVERSITY University of Sheffield

I manage a team of around 130 engineering staff based both in the UK and Singapore on a project to design a new low density polyethylene (LDPE) facility to be built on Teesside. I oversee their work, coordinate between the disciplines (process, civil, structural, mechanical, piping, control and electrical) and meet with them regularly to discuss project progress and engineering issues. I also liaise with the client on technical matters, manage man-hour spend and approve equipment purchases.

Previous roles

I joined my current employer in 1990 as an apprentice and was sponsored through university. I became an engineer in 1997 and gradually progressed to senior then principal engineer. I worked on a variety of international projects, including spending a year in Saudi Arabia working on the construction of a new plant, followed by time spent in India managing a design team. I was promoted to my current role in July 2005.

Most exciting project

My current project is the most exciting, as it is the largest plant of its type in the world costing around £200 million. I have a lot of responsibility and managing my area of the project is an interesting and demanding role.

The highs

Finally starting up the plant that you have been involved with from design through to construction definitely gives you a buzz.

The lows

Administrative tasks such as writing up minutes from meetings can be a less exciting side to the work but they are a necessary part of the job and they don’t outweigh the good points.