Consultant Engineer

Cumbria

The consultancy group currently has staff with varied backgrounds including aeronautical engineering, marine hydrodynamics, bend stiffener manufacture, armaments, subsea connectors, stress analysis and heat transfer. All have gained considerable experience of offshore system dynamics and related fields during their time at Orcina. The work of the group falls into four main areas: software support, analysis projects, training and marketing. All members of the consultancy group assist in these activities.

Software support forms the largest single part of the group’s work and is, by its very nature, unpredictable both in terms of quantity and content. Support work often entails working on complex and challenging models which by their nature are not ‘routine’. We also undertake a limited number of, usually small, analysis projects. These are commercial projects using OrcaFlex for clients who may, or may not, be users of our software.

Training our clients to use our programs is an important part of the group’s work; it is vital that users of our software know how to use it properly and efficiently. We offer training which is open to all comers, as well as client specific training, which takes place in either the client’s office or our own.

We also put considerable effort into marketing our software. This usually means manning exhibition stands at conferences or trade shows, or direct ‘marketing’ visits to existing and potential customers. Where these activities take place outside the UK, we may be supported by our local agents, who assist us in the US, Brazil, and South Korea. Supporting the marketing effort is a significant demand on the resources of the consultancy group.

As part of an informal induction programme, new employees are mentored from the start by an experienced member of staff.

Typically a new employee would begin by undertaking supervised technical support for our software clients, this being an effective way of introducing the wide range of models and the problems experienced by users. If we have suitable analysis projects in-hand, a new employee might also undertake supervised work on these.

The delivery of software training courses is a key aspect of our work. After a graduated introduction, the successful candidate will be expected to participate in the delivery of these courses.

Experience with technical support and training courses provides the natural background for a new employee then to participate in the company’s marketing activities. This is undertaken, initially, alongside other members of staff.

The successful candidate will be expected to move rapidly through the induction program so as to contribute on all these fronts.

Candidates should have at least the following skills and strengths:

  • a sound technical background as evidenced by a good honours, or higher, degree in a predominantly numerate subject;
  • a strong analytical ability and a sound understanding of basic engineering principles, ideally in the areas of stress analysis and hydrodynamics;
  • an enquiring mind, along with attention to detail and a strong desire to fully understand technical issues;
  • clarity of thought together with excellent written and oral communication skills, and a confident outgoing manner consistent with the group’s customer liaison activities;
  • candidates with work experience should have a demonstrably strong and successful track record in both numerical analysis and associated client-liaison activities.

In summary, candidates with a liking for, and aptitude in, numerical analysis are best-suited to our type of work. For this reason we welcome applications from those with a background in mathematics or physics as well as from those with a background in engineering.

Experience in the offshore oil and gas, renewables or defence sectors is clearly an advantage, although the right skill set (see above) is more important.

All our consultants undertake a reasonable amount of UK and international travel. Successful candidates will be expected to fully participate in this in order to properly support the activities of the group.

Orcina offers a competitive salary and a discretionary bonus system.

We run a Group Personal Pension scheme open to all, where individual contributions are bolstered by the company through the ‘salary sacrifice’ mechanism. Although not contractually obliged to do so, Orcina runs a death-in-service (group life) scheme and an income protection scheme for its employees.

We pride ourselves on having a friendly, flexible, informal working atmosphere, believing this to be conducive to achieving the technical excellence which underpins the success of our firm.

31/12/2023

If, after consideration of what’s written above, you feel qualified, then please apply by email, attaching your CV, to recruitment@orcina.com. Please also include an explanation of what attracts you to the job and why you think you are suitable. For further information or an informal discussion, call us on +44 (0)1229 584 742.

Strictly no agencies.