As part of our series of people profiles, meet our fantastic Senior Design Engineer, Liam Browne. Read on to find out more about the skills and tips Liam shares from his role at Hamilton Robson.

Can you tell us about your background before joining Hamilton Robson?

In 2010 I decided to return to education as a mature student with the aim of pursuing a career in the construction industry. I have always had a passion for buildings, so I studied Architectural Technology, which led to obtaining my degree with honours in Sustainable Construction Management. During my studies, I became acquainted with Revit as a design tool, which sparked my initial interest in design. As a result, I undertook a part-time course and acquired a certificate in Building Information Modelling in 2015. To stay connected to the construction industry, I decided to gain valuable work experience in the Estates department of the HSE in Letterkenny.

Fortunately, I was lucky to be offered a job as a CAD Technician with a leading Building Services consultancy firm in Belfast. With my experience in Revit and AutoCAD, I began my career in Building Services. After a few months of drafting M&E designs, I was given the opportunity to specialise in a particular field and was offered a role as a Junior Electrical Engineer. This is when my interest in electrical services design, as well as Revit and BIM, started to grow. Since my initial days as a CAD technician in 2015, I have worked in various roles, including Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Design Engineer & BIM Manager, Senior Electrical & BIM Engineer, and currently as a Senior Design Engineer here at Hamilton Robson. Throughout my different roles, I have been fortunate to be involved in some incredible projects such as the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Crown Square in Galway, the New Children’s Hospital in Belfast, and Strule Education Campus in Omagh.

Could you describe your typical working week?

My typical working week can be diverse. It can involve designing AV layouts and schematics, attending team meetings, conducting site visits to monitor progress, maintaining company design and BIM standards, and assisting in the storeroom when needed. The nature of my work keeps things interesting and allows me to engage with various aspects of our projects.

What new skills have you learned since joining Hamilton Robson?

I have taken the initiative to learn visual coding and software programming, although my role primarily focuses on the hardware side of things. I think that understanding the entire AV design process, including software and programming, provides me with a better understanding of how AV systems work and allows me to fix any issues, should they arise. Additionally, as Hamilton Robson primarily uses Revit as our main design tool, I have gained more experience and knowledge as a Revit user.

What is your favourite part of your working day?

I love problem-solving and being creative in my work. Whether it involves resolving issues on-site such as clashes, introducing innovative approaches to the design process, or finding ways to streamline project development and delivery. It’s rewarding overcoming these challenges and contributing to the success of our projects.

Finally, could you share a tip for individuals seeking to enter the AV/tech industry?

My advice would be to get stuck into it. Engage in research during your spare time to familiarise yourself with the industry and its trends. Ask AV or tech companies for work experience or consider applying for graduate or junior positions. First-hand knowledge and experience are invaluable in this field. Lastly, always ask questions. If you’re willing to learn, people are more than happy to help you.