Based at our Engineering Centre in Astley, Stephen Barker, oversees the day-to-day running of the Engineering team. We sat down with Stephen to find out more about his role.
What are your key responsibilities?
My role is varied, I’m responsible for the operations of the team of more than 30 Engineers to ensure quality and standards are maintained. I support the Research & Development side of the department, providing technical advice when needed. Working with the different elements of engineering means I get to see all the varying projects happening in the department. I also work cross functionally to deliver improvements to the way we interface with other departments across the business and deliver a quality service to our customers.
No two days in this role are the same, but the variety keeps everyday interesting and challenging.
What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy the variety of projects that I can get involved with, any day can include several different tasks, like advising engineers on scheme designs, designing and developing new products and systems, meeting with customers or promoting civil engineering in local schools.
What made you want a career in civil engineering?
I was always interested in buildings and bridges growing up, when I thought about what I wanted to do for a job I was leaning towards a career in architecture. I was 17, when I met a friend’s aunt, who was a civil engineer. She asked my plans for the future, when I said I was studying A Level maths and physics, she encouraged me to look at civil engineering. A bit of research later and the realisation that I was better at maths than drawing set me off frantically amending my UCAS application and that was the start of my career in civil engineering.
Find out more about MGF’s Engineering capabilities.
