Career Conversations | Engineering pathways

Hosted by EAIT Employability:

Career Conversations brings together industry professionals to share their personal career journeys — showing that there’s no single ‘right way’ to build a successful career. In this session, our panellists come from industries as diverse as environmental consulting, fast moving consumer goods, and aerospace technology. Together, we'll explore how technical skills can lead to a range of career paths whether it's deep technical specialisation, business improvement, consulting, and everything in between. 

Lunch is on us, so enjoy some pizza and networking at the event.

Hear it straight from industry professionals: 

• How to adapt and grow your career
• How technical foundations can open doors across industries
• The many ways success can look beyond the traditional pathways
• Potential engineering career paths
• Q&A to get your burning questions answered

Come along to get inspired, ask questions, and get a learn about some of the directions your career in engineering can take.

Speakers:

• Wern Tan – Manufacturing Improvement Manager at Coca-Cola Euro Pacific Partners A UQ alum and Chemical and Food Engineer with experience across some of Australia’s most well-known FMCG brands. With a background in chemical engineering and a minor in food engineering, Wern has worked across safety, quality, product development, finance, and capital engineering — with a strong focus on continuous and business improvement. Her diverse experience and collaborative approach offer valuable insights into navigating technical roles within large, fast-paced organisations.
• Tim Trewin, Technical Discipline Manager - Acoustics and Vibrations at SLR Consulting 
  A leader in the highly specialised field of acoustics and vibration. With over 20 years of experience and now Technical Director at SLR Consulting, Tim has worked on everything from buildings to mining projects and leads a national team of specialists. He’s deeply involved in the acoustics community and passionate about solving complex noise and vibration challenges. 
• Karl Domjahn, Head of Propulsion at Gilmour Space Technologies 
  Head of Propulsion at Gilmour Space Technologies, where he leads the development of rocket engines for small satellite launch vehicles. With experience spanning Boeing Defence Australia, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), and international research and presentations, Karl brings technical expertise and a strong commitment to advancing Australia’s space capability. He’s also passionate about connecting students with the aerospace industry and supporting the next generation of engineers

Moderated by:

• Nick Lahman, Marketing Leader at Texcel
  With over 7 years at Texcel — a Brisbane-based engineering consultancy specialising in civil, structural, and water infrastructure — Nick works across sales, marketing, and business strategy, helping connect technical teams with real-world client needs. Known for his engaging style and passion for people, Nick will help bring out the unique stories and insights from each of our speakers. 

Relevant disciplines and interests: 

• Mechanical Engineering students
• Civil Engineering 
• Environmental Engineering 
• Chemical Engineering 
• Advanced technical work, R&D, or cutting-edge engineering sectors
• Leadership, consulting, or multidisciplinary careers
• Engineering, physics, and environmental science, with real-world applications in infrastructure, industry, and buildings

Event details:

• Event date: Tuesday 27 May 2025
• Event time:11:30am - 12:30pm
• Event location: 47A-241

Please email employability.events@eait.uq.edu.au if you have any questions.