What is it like to be a Graduate Mechanical Engineer?

Glenn - Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Glenn - third year Graduate Mechanical Engineer

"When I first joined the Water Corporation I worked as a Mechanical Engineer in the Asset Management Division in Water Infrastructure. In my role I used to be assigned problems and issues with already existing mechanical assets. I had to conduct in depth investigations to find the root cause of the problems, make recommendations and then assist in the implementation of these recommendations. It is very exciting and fulfilling being given a problem, learning about an issue, making a recommendation, and fixing it.

In my second rotation I worked in Construction Branch. This changed my role from asset management to asset creation. In this role I worked as a Construction Project Manager responsible for the upgrade of two wastewater pumping stations. I had to track my progress, maintain a schedule, manage a crew, provide updates to the client and ensure the quality of the work was maintained. Also during this rotation I also was involved in organising and running graduate forums and site visits as part of the Graduate Development Program. These forums aimed to be educational and career focussed but also a fun break from our work and a chance to catch up and socialise with other graduates.

In my third and current rotation, I am working in the alliance responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant. In this role I am doing design work and am making significant contributions and improvements to the design. Working with very experienced engineers I am learning so much about mechanical equipment and also about the running of a large scale project. As the project moves to site in the next year I will begin work as a construction engineer, and then a commissioning engineer, and get the joy of seeing the things I’ve designed being built and installed.

My experience at the Water Corporation has been diverse and rewarding. It has provided me with a significant amount of on the job experience and also formal training. It has been a fantastic start to my career as a Mechanical Engineer and has helped me work towards completing my CPEng."


Jack - Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Jack - third year Graduate Mechanical Engineer

"Since joining the Water Corporation I've had the opportunity to work all around the state, from Karratha to Kalgoorlie as well as various towns around the South West. As part of the Graduate Development Program, I've been involved in different aspects of the engineering process so I have a better understanding of the 'bigger picture'. Primarily, the roles I've had in the Water Corporation have been technical roles.

When I first joined, I worked as a mechanical design engineer in the Infrastructure Design Branch. This meant I was involved in designing new pump stations and in helping to develop standards for equipment such as pumps, valves and tanks. As well as some in-house design, I was also a design manager, which is essentially the technical interface between engineering consultants and the Water Corporation for specific projects.

I've also worked as a maintenance engineer to troubleshoot problems on existing assets. This involves providing engineering support to the mechanical fitters and operations when mechanical equipment breaks down, or to help improve efficiency.

Currently I'm working as a design engineer for upgrades on wastewater treatment plants which is teaching me more about this part of the business, as the Corporation is not only water production but also wastewater processing. The Graduate Development Program has given me good experience in the water industry as well as opportunities to travel around the state."