Career Story: Marine Electrical Capabilities Lead

My Career Journey So Far 

My job is all about designing, installing, and maintaining the complex electrical and electronic systems used aboard vessels. 

It all began in the Royal Navy, where I spent over thirteen years working on marine power, control, and instrumentation systems on aircraft carriers and a Type 45 destroyer. This experience gave me strong practical engineering skills and a clear understanding of how important safe and reliable systems are.  

After leaving the Navy, I joined Lloyd’s Register as an Electrotechnical Specialist, helping to develop industry rules, write technical papers, and represent the organisation internationally.  

I then worked in several engineering companies, spending time in high voltage operations and later in aerospace as a Principal System Engineer, where I focused on making sure new radar technology was safe to use.  

In 2020, I returned to maritime defence with BAE Systems, applying everything I had learned to support the safety and performance of naval systems.  

I now lead electrical engineering capability at BMT and continue to support safer, more sustainable maritime operations. 

My Average Day 

There’s no such thing as an average day in my role. I split my time between leading people, providing technical guidance, planning for the future, and working closely with customers and industry partners. My job is to make sure today’s projects run smoothly while building the skills and capability we’ll need for tomorrow. 

My Proudest Moment 

I’m most proud of completing my MSc during one of the busiest and most challenging times of my life. I finished my degree while pregnant, and later with a newborn at home, all while working fulltime in a demanding engineering role. Balancing study, work, and parenthood required resilience, determination, and a lot of support. It taught me that you don’t need perfect timing to achieve big goals, but that you just need perseverance. 

My Biggest Lesson 

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you are only as strong as the people around you. Every success in my career came from teamwork, trust, and learning from others. This is why I invest in my team and create an environment where people feel supported and confident. Strong teams deliver great work and have helped me grow as a person. 

My Advice 

Be intentional about your growth from day one. Find mentors who can guide and challenge you because they can make a huge difference. 

Push yourself to try new things, even when they feel uncomfortable. Every major step in my career came from choosing opportunities that stretched me. 

And finally, keep learning, especially once you start your first job. Becoming chartered, building technical skills, and developing leadership abilities all take time and commitment, but they are worth it.