Benjamin Delmond

graduate water civil engineer, Jacobs

Expertise

Design, Construction, Water

Location

Republic of Ireland

My highlights

ICE President's Future Leader 2022/23

Presented my bachelor's degree dissertation at a conference

Awarded the E3 Excellence postgraduate scholarship for my master's degree in environmental engineering at Trinity College, Dublin

A day in my life

As an engineer for a major consultant, Jacobs, most of my time consists of designing infrastructure projects.

I work on a wide range of projects, such as roads, data centres or treatment plants, so every day is different.

I have worked a lot on drainage design, which consists of protecting a site from flooding.

For example, I have designed the surface water drainage for the MetroLink, which is the future underground for Dublin.

My role consists of using modelling software to visualise what the worse storm event could look like, and therefore how to protect the project from it.

In addition to doing some modelling and calculations, I'm involved in regular meetings to discuss project progress or present our design to clients.

Engineering is not only working by yourself; you meet new people from other disciplines daily.

I'm a civil engineer, and also a photographer. I enjoy taking my drone and camera around the world.

Who inspired you to become a civil engineer?

Joseph Bazalgette – he built the first sewer system in London, saving thousands of lives by reducing the spread of cholera in the city.

We asked Benjamin…

I would recommend a career in civil engineering because …

There are so many different disciplines that you will never get bored.

It’s common for engineers to switch disciplines throughout their career, so you'll always keep learning.

What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?

I preferred playing with Playmobil – but I enjoyed building cities for days rather than playing with the figures themselves!

What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

Seeing the progress of my work. It’s very rewarding to see what you designed coming out of the ground and being used by the public.

What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?

The number of disciplines a civil engineer can work in.

From a highways engineer designing roads and cycle paths, a structural engineer working on bridges or dams to a water engineer designing water treatment plants or drainage, there is always room to find something you like.

Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?

The Tideway project.

This project will increase London’s sewer system significantly, therefore reducing raw wastewater discharges to the environment.

Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.

Engineering is for men only.

More and more women are studying engineering every year, helping to create a more equal industry.

Any personal causes or hobbies?

I'm a strong believer in environmental protection, which I put in practice through my day-to-day work and through my personal life.

Favourite projects

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is part of a 3-stage project to cut river pollution and clean up the Thames.

Thames Tideway

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is part of a 3-stage project to cut river pollution and clean up the Thames.

Create a sewerage system that channels it away from central London

London sewer system

Create a sewerage system that channels it away from central London

Ben's career path

Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) – Ulster University (Belfast) – 2016 - 2020
Civil engineering Internship – Samiotes Consultants, Inc (Boston) – 2018 - 2019
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering – Trinity College Dublin (Dublin) – 2020 - 2021
Graduate water civil engineer – Jacobs (Dublin) – 2021 - present