From a very early age, I wanted to be an engineer... Ross Hall Harlyn Solutions Engineer
What were your career ambitions growing up?
From a very early age, I wanted to be an engineer. When I was younger, I was encouraged to build things and take them apart. Whether that was Lego, Meccano or just making things out of bits of wood.
As I progressed through school, I gravitated towards STEM subjects, specifically physics and maths. This led to me exploring different types of engineering careers.
Tell us about your current role and what do you most enjoy?
My current role at Harlyn Solutions requires me to design, cost, and execute innovative transport solutions for heavy lift projects.
The variety in my role is what I enjoy most. Harlyn works across multiple industries with different types of clients including freight forwarders, equipment owners, manufactures and ports.
My role allows me to work both in the office, completing complex design work, as well as on-site loading vessels and overseeing transport operations.
Having the theoretical and practical parts of my role keeps me on my toes and ultimately, I hope, makes me a better engineer.
What is your proudest business achievement?
Leaving a comfortable job of ten years midpandemic to join a start-up company – and then watching that company grow year-by-year.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
I’ve only been involved in heavy lifting and marine transport for two years but I now see a lot more focus on renewables and the logistics surrounding the construction of offshore wind farms.
Floating wind turbines seem to be the next big thing, allowing wind farms in greater water depths. This brings its own set of challenges in addition to those already present within the industry.
These include – suitable port infrastructure, cable manufacturing capacity, available installation vessels and, of course, suitable training and development of the next generation of engineers and technicians.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on multiple projects at the moment. One is a design project where I’ve overseen the analysis of a steel basket used to store subsea cable.
The other is a lifting and installation project where I’ve produced the method statement and lift plans for installing a bridge that allows cars to drive onto a ferry.
Tell us about the team you work with.
The team at Harlyn are all driven and share the same passion for getting things done correctly.
We’re a relatively small team, allowing us to make decisions very quickly and solve problems promptly.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Accept every opportunity you’re presented with.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Hopefully still in engineering, working on more complex and challenging projects as part of a much larger team.
And developing younger engineers, passing down experience and encouraging more people into engineering.
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
Firstly, Nikola Tesla who was an engineer who invented many modern technologies and is often forgotten about. When people say “Tesla” now, we automatically think of cars. I would be interested to see how his thought process worked when developing new ideas.
Then, I’d add Andrew Huberman. I listen to his podcast regularly and enjoy his work on neuroscience and how small changes in our daily routines can affect the brain and body.
To that mix, I’m going to add Joe Rogan. We share mutual hobbies, and he has had so many people on his podcast, I’d pick his brains on as many people and topics as I could.
Finally, I wouldn’t want my younger self to miss out on all that knowledge so I’d add younger me in there too. Then, I could tell myself to take bigger risks and seek more opportunities.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Mostly varying forms of exercise. Wrestling, kickboxing and hiking. I also like to listen to podcasts.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
I don’t watch television or read. I prefer to be out and about.