Meet Owain Brown: shaping the future of water engineering at Mott MacDonald

A career in the water industry provides lots of opportunities to see the positive impact of your work, from cleaner rivers to cutting-edge wastewater treatment works. We spoke to Owain about his role and how he is helping to improve water quality one project at a time.

Owain with his wife, Abi, in their favourite place, New Quay, West Wales

Tell us about your role at Mott MacDonald

I’m a technical manager based in Cardiff and I work predominately on the Wessex Water framework. Technical delivery of our wastewater workstream is my main focus, which means I design wastewater treatment solutions.

Why did you choose your career path?

I spent lots of time growing up on our family farms in Wales where I was always tinkering with tractors and repairing things from a young age. My uncle was an instrument electrical engineer, so I think engineering was just in my blood. My first job was as an instrument electrical apprentice in the chemical industry, where I also had the opportunity to study mechanical engineering.

The first decade of my career focused on maintenance and small capital improvement projects on chemicals sites but, when I joined Mott MacDonald’s contracting arm Mott MacDonald Bentley in 2016, I started working on the design and commissioning of new treatment plants. This experience was invaluable when I moved into water consultancy with Mott MacDonald as I could bring my operational skills and knowledge into the design space. I do miss being out on site but I love the challenge of leading the design stage.

Why Mott MacDonald?

It was the variety, complexity and scale of projects we undertake that led me to join Mott MacDonald, as well as the number of clients we serve globally. This exposure to a wide range of industries and challenges makes for a dynamic and exciting work environment and gives you ample opportunities to tackle intricate problems and develop innovative solutions. I also like that we are committed to professional growth and are encouraged to develop and advance our careers through continuous learning. We have a really supportive culture which makes it an ideal place to build a rewarding and impactful career.

Give us an example of an exciting or innovative project you’ve been trusted to lead or contribute to

For the last two years I’ve been working as the project technical lead on the Glastonbury Water Recycling Centre. This is a £15M upgrade over two phases that will enhance the quality of the local watercourses by providing phosphorous removal improvements using cutting-edge technologies.

This is my first big project in my current role and it has allowed me to bring together all of my skills and experience. We're actively involved in both the outline and detailed design phases, as well as supporting the project right through to construction.

It’s great to work with a talented team of multidiscipline engineers, ranging from recent graduates to people with over 20 years of experience, who bring a wealth of knowledge and innovation to the table. It's particularly exciting to see our designs come to life during construction progress meetings and site visits, where we can see the true impact of our work.

What does a typical day look like for you at Mott MacDonald?

There isn’t a typical day at Mott MacDonald, every day brings different challenges. Most days involve addressing mechanical, electrical, building information modelling, civil, structural or geotechnical queries. I also manage resources within the framework and ensure that the client's project goals and objectives are met. This includes visiting the client's office to build strong relationships, attending technical project progress calls and participating in framework management meetings to ensure the success of the work.

What does being part of a global team mean to you, and how does it influence your work?

Having teams spread all over the world means we can leverage the best talent for our projects, regardless of geographical boundaries. Technical excellence is central to our work. For instance, we've recently adopted new software for intelligent piping and instrumentation diagrams and we've been able to draw on the expertise of a colleague in Mumbai to enhance the project.

Can you share an example of how the company culture has helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?

Mott MacDonald has given me so many varied experiences that have helped me to develop as an engineer, from technically complex projects to simple but innovative projects. In one recent project, we’re trialling the use of floating wetlands in a disused oxidation ditch to treat stormwater before it enters the local river. This is a good example of using innovative techniques to solve a problem while also improving the environment for wildlife and communities.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their career at Mott MacDonald?

The opportunities are endless at Mott MacDonald. In the 10 years I’ve been with the company, it feels like I’ve had three different careers by moving to different parts of the business – operations and commissioning, design and build and now consultancy. It’s a great place to learn and develop alongside talented people.