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Careers : Project Engineer - Enabling Works
Name: Greg Limna
Job: Project Engineer: Enabling Works
" My job is to ensure that the route and sites are cleared of all obstructions before the main Crossrail stations and tunnels can be built..."
Job: Project Engineer: Enabling Works
" My job is to ensure that the route and sites are cleared of all obstructions before the main Crossrail stations and tunnels can be built..."
What does your job involve?
Before the main Crossrail stations and tunnels can be built the engineers need to ensure that the route and sites are cleared of all obstructions. My job is to ensure that this happens.
There are thousands of underground services and utilities along the route, and many of these need to be diverted or protected before the main Crossrail construction commences. In addition, buildings have to be demolished on the sites of the new stations, railway signals need to be diverted and bus garages and taxi ranks need to be relocated to allow Crossrail to be built. All of these are types of Enabling Works which will be the first construction works Crossrail undertakes and the public sees.
Many of these are complex civil engineering projects in their own right and the role of the enabling works team is to manage them all so that they are completed on time. If we don't then we could delay the construction of the main stations and tunnels.
As Enabling Works affects infrastructure that the public use daily there is a risk that our designs and construction could affect their day-to-day lives. Therefore we have to carefully plan everything we do to ensure this is minimised.
Can you describe a typical day?
My typical day revolves around working as part of a team. There are about 15 people in the Enabling Works team ranging from designers and planners to commercial and construction engineers and collectively we have to help each other deliver our part of the project. But we can't do this in isolation so we have to liaise with many of the other Crossrail departments and lots of external organisations such as the utility companies.
Days vary from one to the next, one minute I'll be working with designers whilst the next I'll be meeting a utility company to agree how we're going to move their services. But what is common is that every day there is a different problem to solve and the whole team is there to help solve it.
What's the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is working as part of a team. The fact that you also have to liaise with so many companies and people that aren't part of Crossrail makes you realise what an impact this project will have on so many people. Working on such an important and diverse project, and making its impact a positive one is a great challenge.
What type of skills do you need for your job?
Useful contacts:
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
The ICE is the professional institution for civil engineers. They are able to offer carriers advice on all branches of civil engineering and you may be surprised at how many different types there are. Their headquarters are located near the Houses of Parliament in London but they have regional associations across the UK.
The Engineering Council (ECUK)
Various engineering consultancies
Various construction companies
Similar jobs or areas you may want to consider:
Project Manager
Structural Engineer
Construction Engineer
Before the main Crossrail stations and tunnels can be built the engineers need to ensure that the route and sites are cleared of all obstructions. My job is to ensure that this happens.
There are thousands of underground services and utilities along the route, and many of these need to be diverted or protected before the main Crossrail construction commences. In addition, buildings have to be demolished on the sites of the new stations, railway signals need to be diverted and bus garages and taxi ranks need to be relocated to allow Crossrail to be built. All of these are types of Enabling Works which will be the first construction works Crossrail undertakes and the public sees.
Many of these are complex civil engineering projects in their own right and the role of the enabling works team is to manage them all so that they are completed on time. If we don't then we could delay the construction of the main stations and tunnels.
As Enabling Works affects infrastructure that the public use daily there is a risk that our designs and construction could affect their day-to-day lives. Therefore we have to carefully plan everything we do to ensure this is minimised.
Can you describe a typical day?
My typical day revolves around working as part of a team. There are about 15 people in the Enabling Works team ranging from designers and planners to commercial and construction engineers and collectively we have to help each other deliver our part of the project. But we can't do this in isolation so we have to liaise with many of the other Crossrail departments and lots of external organisations such as the utility companies.
Days vary from one to the next, one minute I'll be working with designers whilst the next I'll be meeting a utility company to agree how we're going to move their services. But what is common is that every day there is a different problem to solve and the whole team is there to help solve it.
What's the best thing about your job?
The best thing about my job is working as part of a team. The fact that you also have to liaise with so many companies and people that aren't part of Crossrail makes you realise what an impact this project will have on so many people. Working on such an important and diverse project, and making its impact a positive one is a great challenge.
What type of skills do you need for your job?
- You need to be able to work as part of a team and motivate colleagues. Being able to listen to other team members and act on their advice is also essential.
- You need to be able to identify the main issues and problems and then try to solve them.
- You need to be flexible and be able to adapt to the changing requirements of the project.
- You need to be good at presenting the project to external bodies, build cooperative relationships with them and address their concerns.
- You need to be able to make decisions but also know when to seek advice from experts (i.e. know your limitations).
Useful contacts:
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
The ICE is the professional institution for civil engineers. They are able to offer carriers advice on all branches of civil engineering and you may be surprised at how many different types there are. Their headquarters are located near the Houses of Parliament in London but they have regional associations across the UK.
The Engineering Council (ECUK)
Various engineering consultancies
Various construction companies
Similar jobs or areas you may want to consider:
Project Manager
Structural Engineer
Construction Engineer
