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Conor McDevitt

Conor McDevitt

Senior project manager – infrastructure, Turner & Townsend and Chartered Infrastructure Engineer

Expertise

Construction, Project Management

Location

Scotland
My highlights

Getting professionally qualified as a Chartered Infrastructure Engineer with the ICE

Working on the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant in Anglesey, North Wales

Working on Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, in Georgia, USA

What do you value most about being an ICE member? 

I value being part of the home of infrastructure and feel proud that I’m a Chartered Engineer.

Being a member of the ICE ensures I’m at the forefront of providing engineering solutions and engaging with projects that enable our planet and people to thrive.

I’m part of an institution that aligns with my values and am excited about the projects I will interact with in my career.

Knowing that I’m connected to almost 100,000 other members gives me confidence that infrastructure engineering will continue to grow and be critical to the success of future engineering projects.

The Chartered Infrastructure Engineer qualification ensures that the door is open to people who feel they aren’t a natural fit for one specific discipline.

Why is it important that the ICE is offering a professional home for a wider family of infrastructure engineers like you?

I believe it’s important to have a professional home as engineers are working on critical projects all over the world. Finding a home can be challenging due to the broad scope of what engineers do.

The Chartered Infrastructure Engineer qualification ensures that the door is open to people who feel they aren’t a natural fit for one specific discipline, and can feel like a square peg in a round hole when it comes to chartership.

I hope this offering is widely accepted and believe there will be significant interest in this route to chartership in the future.

Become an Infrastructure Engineer

We asked Conor…

What motivated you to become professionally qualified? 

I’ve worked with many Chartered Engineers that have inspired me and helped me throughout my career.

Anytime I was stuck or needed help, there was always someone to answer my questions and guide me towards a solution.

Being professionally qualified allows me to provide that help and support to other engineers and the younger generations, and hopefully inspire them and help them progress in their own careers.

How did the ICE and your employer support you to become professionally qualified? 

The ICE membership team supported me throughout my training agreement and my route to chartered professional review.

I’ve also had several supporting civil engineers (SCEs) and delegated engineers (DEs) over the years.

My employer ensured I was connected with the right people to provide the support I needed to be successful at my review.

What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?

Being professionally qualified will ensure I can continue my career and demonstrate value in any role or project I work on.

I enjoy being part of major projects and want to continue learning and challenging myself throughout my career.

Being a Chartered Engineer presents me with opportunities to make a significant impact to critical infrastructure projects that align with the ICE values.

A day in your life

I’m currently working on a Scottish Water project, delivering critical infrastructure to support population growth in Perthshire.

I lead on project management, taking responsibility for end-to-end service delivery for projects involving wastewater and clean water.

I’m the key point of contact for clients. I ensure that their goals are met, and that projects are delivered to time, cost and quality targets, with safety as a top priority in all of our activities.

I would recommend a career in infrastructure engineering because…

There are so many opportunities in infrastructure engineering that you’ll be able to carve out any career you want.

Infrastructure is everywhere and allows you to travel and work, learn from other industries and cultures and bring those experiences into your next project.

It’s always challenging and rewarding.

Which individual project or person inspired you to become an infrastructure engineer?

I’ve always been impressed by the way major projects can attract people from all over the world to work on a common goal, sharing experience and learning about interesting industries and places along the way.

Complete this phrase: I’m an infrastructure engineer, but I’m also…

A STEM ambassador helping local communities and schools encourage careers in STEM for the next generation, which I think is an important tool as an infrastructure engineer.

What about being an infrastructure engineer gets you out of bed each morning?

I enjoy the challenge and variety of work that a role in infrastructure brings.

The projects I’ve been a part of have been interesting and allowed me to learn and develop as an engineer.

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

Infrastructure isn't just for civil engineers!

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

I love the diversity of the projects and the people I work with.

Being able to hear stories from projects around the world and how they can be similar or different to a project I’m working on is a great way to learn and develop my own skills.

It also works in the other direction, where I can pass on my knowledge and experience to others who can then use that information to find solutions to any issues they may come across.

What’s the biggest/ most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego? How long did it take you?

It's not big, but the last thing I made was a 3-in-1 dinosaur set, it took just over an hour to complete!

Conor's career path

I have a degree in mechanical engineering.

I started my career working in the oil and gas industry and then moved to new-build nuclear power plants in a mechanical engineering role.

I’ve spent the past few years working on utility projects, which are critical to the communities I work in.