From Fleet Air Arm to Chief Engineer

I served in the Fleet Air Arm from Sep 91 to Aug 18 and joined DE&S in Sep 18. 

I am the Chief Engineer in Watchkeeper, the Army’s Large UAV. 

It was my privilege to Serve for 27 years and I worked on a number of aircraft types, most notably Sea Harrier FA2, Merlin Mk 1 & 2, Hawk T MK1 and Sea King Mk 5 & 7. I thoroughly enjoyed embarking and serving at sea, and I was lucky enough to visit 40+ countries in my career. 

I have an Honours Degree in Aerospace Systems Engineering and a Masters Degree in Defence Administration. I was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2019. 

Quite a lot. I did three assignments in DE&S as a military officer, in 3 different teams. 

I am just coming to the end of my second year and I am really enjoying it. It has allowed me to continue to Serve but without the geographic uncertainty that my Military career had. I am still working on cutting edge technology, with high quality engineers, delivering essential military capability. 

Probably by bringing my military and engineering experience into the procurement and support domain. I have been a pretty ‘difficult’ customer in the past! 

It is vibrant and exciting place to work, with highly motivated and intelligent staff, working hard to support the Front Line. There are issues, like any workplace, but its is a good place to work. 

I helped develop a team to deliver a c£1Bn programme to the British Army, overcoming several safety issues along the way. I am incredibly proud of the team I am working in and the way they kept going when work was particularly challenging. 

My transition to civvy street and DE&S is best described as a ‘soft landing’; it suited my needs perfectly. DE&S offers me personal stability, the chance to stay engaged with the military and the opportunity to carry on working in a cutting-edge engineering role.