Meet Jennifer Lee: crafting sustainable solutions as a maritime engineer at Mott MacDonald

Working in the complex spaces where the land meets the sea requires a careful balance of natural, human and economic needs. We chatted to Jenn about her path to becoming a maritime engineer and the satisfaction she gains from finding engineering solutions that benefit both people and planet.

Tell us about your role at Mott MacDonald

I’m involved in the design development and management of various coastal and renewable offshore projects. My coastal projects focus on protecting communities and the environment from flooding and erosion through developing sustainable and resilient solutions. In the offshore sector, I primarily work on subsea power cables, from the feasibility stage to overseeing their installation.

Why did you choose your career path?

I chose a career in engineering to contribute to building a better world for people and the environment. I enjoy problem-solving and am curious about the world around me. Engineering requires a logical approach to tackling complex challenges, which I find rewarding. It’s a very broad industry, requiring not only technical knowledge but also consideration of environmental, social and economic constraints and opportunities.

What attracted you to join Mott MacDonald?

I was drawn to Mott MacDonald for its variety of multi-disciplinary projects across the globe. During my time at university, I completed three summer placements in different teams at Mott MacDonald and everyone was very welcoming, supportive and knowledgeable. I also liked the company culture, which confirmed my decision to join as a graduate engineer in 2020.

What are some of the most exciting or innovative projects you’ve been trusted to lead or contribute to?

The first project I worked on involved trialling innovative nature-based solutions along the coastline in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Nature-based solutions work with natural habitats and features and are used to enhance coastal structures or replace hard defences. They provide a range of benefits to the environment, people and economy. I contributed to the appraisal and development of options. One of the options progressed to construction was the installation of Vertipools™, which are pre-cast concrete units that can be attached to existing coastal defences to create artificial rockpools. They are an innovative solution that provide ecological benefits for coastal sites that are constrained by existing developments.

Jenn with one of the innovative Vertipools™ at Southend-on-Sea

More recently, I had the opportunity to undertake a site supervision role in Belize where I oversaw the construction of a subsea cable between the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. The aim of the project was to connect Caye Caulker to the existing electricity grid, reducing its reliance on diesel generators and increasing the proportion of renewable electricity into their energy mix. The experience on site enabled me to see how engineering theory was applied in practice and I gained an appreciation of the scale of operations and complexity of interfaces. I felt very lucky to be working in a place with beautiful nature and scenery - and warmer weather than the UK!

What does a typical day look like for you at Mott MacDonald, and how do you find opportunities to excel in your role?

I engage and collaborate with project teams and clients on a daily basis to deliver projects. My tasks span a diverse range of knowledge and skills, including technical, commercial, sustainability, economics and digital.

To excel in my role, I prioritise listening to others and seeking guidance when needed. This approach helps me continuously learn and improve, ensuring that I can contribute effectively to my team’s success.

How do you collaborate with colleagues from different specialisms to achieve common goals?

I think it’s important to respect and value diverse perspectives from the team, particularly when undertaking a project management role. I aim to create an environment where they can be flexible in how they approach problems and comfortable to express their opinions. Where possible, I find that organising meetings in person and having a face-to-face connection helps to build relationships with colleagues from different locations and specialisms.

How has our company culture helped you achieve your personal and professional goals?

Mott MacDonald’s commitment to people and the planet aligns with my own ambitions and motivations. The company has been hugely supportive in providing opportunities, budget and resources that enable me to develop my knowledge, skills and network across a range of initiatives. These include sustainability initiatives and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, such as volunteering at STEM outreach events.

I am also active in Mott MacDonald’s early career professional (ECP) network, which is a global community of professionals in the first 10 years of their careers. The network aims to connect ECPs and ensure we have the tools and support we need to achieve our career goals and influence the future direction of the business. As the ECP co-lead for the new aviation, maritime and offshore division, my role is to establish the divisional ECP network, lead a variety of activities such as training opportunities and represent the voices of ECPs. This has helped me to develop my leadership and communication skills, work with senior leaders and gain an insight to business planning.

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

Be open to new opportunities, even if they’re not on the path you initially envisioned for yourself. When I applied to study civil engineering at university, I hadn’t come across maritime engineering and could never have guessed from GCSE geography classes that my job would involve assessing the coastal processes that I was learning about. Be proactive and embrace opportunities to learn new skills, meet different people and explore new topics.