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Age:  27

A levels: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Spanish

Degree:
       MEng (Hons) Aeronautical Engineering at
       Imperial College, University of London

Vicki tests and monitors the huge engines that propel us round in the world in the newest jets.

My Job Is...

Trent 1000 Performance engineer, Rolls-Royce, Derby. I analyse the thermodynamic performance of Trent 1000 experimental engines to demonstrate to the authorities that they are safe to fly and to understand whether they are performing in the way we expected

Home Is...

I live in Derby but come originally from Horsham in West Sussex. I like Derby as it is a city but has countryside all around so it has the best of both worlds. I live with my husband, who also works at Rolls-Royce as an engineer! We bought a house here a few years ago, which we share with our very noisy but lovable cat, Cocoa.

The Story So Far

It all started from living near Gatwick Airport - I love flying and hearing planes overhead so at school I wanted to be an airline pilot. I chose A levels based on what I enjoyed and was good at and made sure they were balanced. I then looked into pilot training and realised that few get sponsorship straight after A levels so looked at degree options. My physics teacher mentioned an ‘Insight into Engineering’ course and then I had a Eureka moment as I realised I could combine my subjects and interest in flying. I found some good universities to apply to for aerospace engineering and worked hard. At uni I decided engineering was more interesting than being a pilot and really enjoyed the part of our course on engines hence me now working for Rolls-Royce! I have now worked on a couple of projects within Rolls-Royce, I used to work with flight test engines for the Trent 900 on the Airbus A380 ‘Super-jumbo’. I have always looked a year or two ahead but never had any master plan and it has worked well.

Day in the Life

I start work around 8a.m, which is not as bad as it sounds as we have fairly flexible working hours here so starting early generally means you finish early (I normally finish just after 4pm). Sometimes I have meetings straight away but often I catch up on emails and plan what I want to do that day. There are a number of Trent 1000’s built to complete all the different tests as some tests run at the same time and whilst some are on test others will be being built or stripped. We build a number of engines so that between them they complete the whole range of tests.  I look after the performance of an individual engine throughout its build and test.  I have to keep up to date with the standard of components that are fitted, when it is ready to test, what its performance looks like during test and help with any performance related problems that arise. This can involve many different things and gives me a lot of variety in my work as the tests we do cover so many aspects. This means talking to people from many areas of the company so people skills are essential in this job!  

Pet Project
Outside of the day to day job, I am currently trying to gain ‘Chartered Engineer’ status with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (www.imeche.org.uk). This is very important to me as it gives you a recognisable status within the whole engineering industry and demonstrates that you are a competent professional. After your Masters degree you need to gain a minimum of four years relevant experience and put together an application that demonstrates both your technical and people / management skills meet the standards set by the UK Engineering Council. So its a big thing and I am hoping to complete it soon!

Freetime

I can often be found running around chasing a hockey ball as I play for the Rolls-Royce Hockey Club in Derby . I also spend time going out with friends and enjoy travelling when I can. I am a keen cook and particularly love baking, which my colleagues are happy with as I take most of the goodies into work!

Burning Ambitions
At work I want to move more into engineering management in the future and show that there are no limits to a woman’s career in engineering. Outside of work I would love my hockey team to be promoted to the next division and would one day like to have pet pigs!

The Best Thing Is
I get to do an interesting job that I love but still have a good work-life balance and I feel I am generally very lucky as I have good health, close family and friends and a fantastic husband.

Regrets?
I don’t think I ever really have regrets. There are things that do not always go the way you would like at the time but these things generally teach you something, so are worthwhile in the end. I have gone with my instincts and am happy with the outcomes.

(2007)