We caught up with Evelyn O’Brien, Electrical Technical Maintenance Engineer, to find out more about her role at Tata Steel.
How would you describe your role?
My role is all about keeping the machinery up and running smoothly. I’m the go-to for both day-to-day operations and prepping for maintenance tasks. When something goes wrong, I jump in to help troubleshoot and repair the issue. I manage the team and work with everything from drives and motors to PLCs, and I spend a fair bit of time coding for machine upgrades too. Plus, I do a lot of drawing work to map things out. It’s a mix of hands-on problem-solving and planning, which keeps things interesting!
What is your day-to-day role like?
My daily role can vary quite a bit. Typically, I start my day with a cup of tea while I check my tasks and review the manufacturing and shift reports to understand what happened the previous day and overnight. This helps me identify any issues we need to address during the day or anything we should be aware of. We have a daily meeting with everyone in the department to discuss our plans for the day, review what we've accomplished, and go over any tasks we have. These three points remain consistent, while the rest of the day can take us in various directions.
How did you start your career?
I grew up in a family of engineers, with my dad and granddad both working in the field. Their influence inspired me to pursue a similar path. I completed a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering and then earned a BA (Hons) degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In October 2022, I joined Tata Steel as a graduate in electrical engineering, and I have been in this role since December 2023.
Why Tata Steel?
Tata Steel are brilliant in what they do, in terms of development they offer excellent training opportunities especially for graduates. Their graduate scheme was one of the best by far for engineering, and I’ve always aspired to work for Tata Steel since I was young.
Does anything surprise you working for Tata Steel?
We all work together, and it's really supportive like one big family. You're never alone and if you’re dealing with a problem, there’s always someone there to support you. It’s a team effort, not just an individual one.
What do you like the most about working for Tata Steel?
I think the variety of the role is always exciting - coming in and not knowing what you're getting yourself into that day, as every day is completely different.
What was your favourite part of your role?
Honestly, getting stuck in with each and every job that comes my way. Especially as it is something I’ve always wanted to do, it's a really nice atmosphere.
What would you say has been your favourite project so far?
I’ve really enjoyed all the machinery upgrades we've had over the years—they’ve been so varied and exciting! Last Christmas, we introduced a new shape system, which was a huge improvement for our line; the previous one had been around since the '90s, before I was even born!
We’re now fine-tuning it to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity for everyone to think creatively and problem-solve together. This upgrade has definitely been one of my favorite experiences so far.
What do you do in your free time?
When I’m not working, I like to do the polar opposite of what people might think. I'm a dancer and a dance teacher, which takes up most of my free time but I find it very rewarding. I teach on the weekends and do lessons as well. I enjoy spending time with friends and family and pets, I have guinea pigs, and they are the best thing ever!