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Katie O’Donoghue

from Site Engineer to Senior Project Engineer
I build bridges and roads, making sure they are built correctly, safely and on budget.
Industry
Construction and infrastructure
Company
BMD
Job Level
Mid
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Ask me about

  • The variety of projects I have worked on - dams, train, road, airport
  • How my job enables me to travel

About me

  • International Experience
  • Regional Background

I am a Senior Project Engineer currently working on the construction of Bridges throughout Brisbane with BMD. Originally I am from Ireland and have enjoyed a career that has allowed me to travel to the other side of the globe, here in Australia. 

My career has enabled me to experience a variety of projects, from train station upgrades, road infrastructure and airports (something I always strived for). It is rewarding to be able to physically see the work you are doing and the changes you are making. It makes for interesting work. Pair that with a career that allows you to travel the world and I needed to look no further. 

I am now committed to ensuring that the next generation knows the endless possibilities the construction industry offers and as well as empowering women and girls to enter the industry.    

About my role

  • Calm
  • Focused
  • Practical
  • Reliable
  • Understanding

The role of a Senior Project Engineer is essentially construction project management. It is the responsibility of this role to manage the structural components of projects, including the construction of bridges, underpasses, gantries, and retaining walls.

The Senior Project Engineer oversees a team of engineers who assist with planning; so we look after the people who build the bridge, order all the materials they need to build it, make sure they build it to the drawings and specifications, make sure they build it safely so no one gets hurt and that we build it for the price we have said we would build it for. This role works between site and the office to make sure this happens.

The key tasks of a Senior Project Engineer are team management, program planning, financial controls, design interface and client liaison. However, coming up through the ranks, this role is mostly site based, focusing on controlling quality and formulating efficient construction methodologies with the Site Foreman.

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Education

  • High School Certificate
  • Bachelor of Civil Engineering
  • Currently working towards RPEQ which is a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland

Subjects

  • Building and Construction Skills
  • Engineering/Engineering Skills
  • Geography
  • Industrial Graphics
  • Languages
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics

Awards

  • Nominated and Shortlisted for National Collaborative Award in BMD National Annual Awards
  • Nominated and Shortlisted for the NAWIC Achievements in Civil Construction

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Reading
  • Soccer

15 year old me!!

“You might not know what you want to do now, but it will all work out, there’s no rush to make a decision on your future, just make sure you are enjoying what you are doing.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Landed my first job in construction
  2. Moved to Australia
  3. Got my first job in Australia in Gladstone
  4. Moved to Brisbane for bigger opportunities
  5. Started to work on bridge construction

My typical day

My employer

BMD is a national group of companies engaged in engineering design, construction and land development for clients and partners in the urban development, transport infrastructure and resources and energy sectors. Since 1979, BMD has employed a relationship based business model founded on certainty, collaboration and performance. With approximately 1700 staff throughout Australia, BMD has the resources and experience to deliver projects ranging in size from $1 million to over $1 billion.