Ireland's energy transition demands a new calibre of engineering leadership and talent to secure its critical infrastructure for the future. The challenge is not just technical; it is about cultivating a culture of safety, innovation, and diverse perspectives across the sector.

This episode explores the pivotal role of engineers in making high-stakes decisions, transforming safety from a rule to a core value, and addressing the persistent gender imbalance in the industry. Learn how a varied background and holistic thinking are key to solving the complex problems of tomorrow, from power generation to the energy demands of artificial intelligence.

Joining us is Majella Henchion, Technical Capability Manager at ESB, a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland. Majella shares her three decades of experience, transitioning from managing iconic sites like Turlough Hill to leading the strategic recruitment of the next generation of engineers.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Overcoming professional imposter syndrome.
Managing high-risk power plant operations.
Making safety a deeply human value.
Why engineering needs more women.
Developing future holistic engineering talent.

GUEST DETAILS

Majella Henchion is the Technical Capability Manager at ESB, responsible for ensuring the utility possesses the personnel required to drive the energy transition. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland, her career spans three decades in pivotal leadership roles. Her key achievements include managing the Turlough Hill pumped storage station and leading critical safety assurance programmes.

Connect with Majella:

Website: https://www.esb.ie

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majellahenchion/?originalSubdomain=ie

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/
Engineers Ireland Amplified is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

Imposter syndrome comes back every time you take on a new challenge, and what I began to realise was I liked that challenge. – Majella Henchion

If you can put that trust in people, they will repay you double fold. – Majella Henchion

We need our engineers to be more holistic in their thinking. – Majella Henchion

KEYWORDS #ElectricalEngineering #BehaviouralSafety #EnergyTransition #GenderDiversity #HolisticProblemSolving

Many talented engineers hesitate to move abroad, fearing they will lose career momentum and disconnect from the vibrant Irish engineering community. However, an Irish engineering degree is in fact a global passport, opening doors to innovation on an international scale while maintaining strong Irish roots.

This special mini-series explores how Irish engineers successfully navigate international markets, secure funding, overcome the fear of failure, and leverage their qualifications to build thriving careers overseas. They also discuss how the Irish engineering community supports them abroad.

Joining the conversation is Joseph Mooney, a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree at the forefront of US energy research, and Sinéad Conneely, a Structural Director and Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year finalist.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Choosing to leave Ireland and where
Irish engineering qualifications are valued globally
Why Irish engineers are natural risk-takers
Funding differences between US and Ireland
Practical advice for moving abroad earlier

GUESTS DETAILS

Joseph Mooney is the Co-Founder of WattAir and a Research Engineer at the Georgia Institute of Technology, recently named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Energy.

Connect with Joseph:

linkedin.com/in/josephpmooney

Sinéad Conneely is a Director and Structural Engineer at Simple Works in London, a finalist for the Engineers Ireland Chartered Engineer of the Year, and a leader in the UK construction industry.

Connect with Sinéad:

linkedin.com/in/sinéad-conneely-9b847139

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

Mega projects often struggle under their own sheer weight, leading to massive budget overruns, stakeholder conflict, and unmanaged complexity. The challenge lies in managing change ruthlessly while maintaining safety and quality across vast, long-term undertakings.

This episode explores the disciplined mindset required to deliver major infrastructure on time and on budget, focusing on "right-to-left" planning, risk ownership, and the crucial role of collaboration.

We also look at how digital tools like BIM and AI are revolutionising project delivery and safety in the construction sector.

Our guest is Carl Devlin, Capital Works Director at MTR Corporation. His three decades of experience include senior leadership on iconic projects such as London Heathrow Terminal 5 and upgrading 40 per cent of the London Underground network

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Driving career with big goals
Right-to-left planning and requirements
Minimising change on mega projects
Leading rail expansion in Hong Kong
Using AI for construction safety

GUEST DETAILS

Carl Devlin is the Capital Works Director at MTR Corporation. He oversees new railway projects and major upgrades for Hong Kong's sophisticated transport network.

His core expertise includes navigating the immense complexity of mega-projects, balancing technical excellence with strategic stakeholder demands, and spearheading digital transformation in construction.

Connect with Carl Devlin:

Website: https://www.mtr.com.hk

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-devlin

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer.

https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

When you're managing change, you have to look holistically at the whole system, not just at the components that you're actually accountable for. - Carl Devlin

Change is the thing that drives mega projects off course, because once you've committed a supply chain... and you change one of the requirements, it can have a huge knock on impact on the project. - Carl Devlin

I keep saying to my team, if you were spending the money out of your wallet, would you do this? - Carl Devlin

KEYWORDS #MegaProjects #ProjectManagement #EngineeringLeadership #DigitalConstruction #InfrastructureInvestment