Since joining LotusWorks in May 2021, David has advanced from Graduate Instrumentation Engineer to Calibration Lead at one of our pharmaceutical client sites in Dublin. His career has been shaped by hands-on learning, support from experienced colleagues and a willingness to take on greater responsibility.
Today, he leads calibration activities across the site, balancing planning and coordination with hands-on work in the field.
Starting Out on Site
Coming from a family of electrical and instrumentation technicians, David developed an interest in engineering early in life. He later studied for a Level 7 Bachelor of Science degree in Process Instrumentation and Automation at TU Dublin Blanchardstown.
The course combined academic learning with workshops and industry placements. Through LotusWorks’ partnership with TUD Blanchardstown and with support from his course coordinator, David secured an interview with LotusWorks and joined the company as a Graduate Instrumentation Engineer.
On site, his early work involved shadowing qualified technicians in the calibration department. He gained experience with instruments measuring a wide array of process variables e.g.,pressure, level, temperature, flow, weight, speed, conductivity, pH and humidity, while also learning the importance of Lockout Tagout procedures and safe working practices.
“The whole team were really supportive in my learning and involved me in many interesting tasks, openly sharing their knowledge and giving me hands-on experience with the equipment,” David says.
Troubleshooting quickly became one of the areas he enjoyed most. It gave him a better understanding of how instruments operated and taught him to work through problems in a structured way.
Putting Himself Forward
During the final year of David’s placement, before he was fully qualified, the Calibration Lead role became available. It was a position he had hoped to grow into eventually, so he put himself forward and used the interview as a chance to develop.
“I treated the interview process as a learning experience and expressed my interest in the role throughout the interview process,” David Says
Following the interview, David was offered a full-time role as a Senior Technician, shadowing the Calibration Lead. Over the next eight months, he gradually took on more responsibility before stepping into the lead role himself.
The move to Senior Technician marked an important change. Previously, David would seek guidance from more experienced technicians in complex situations. Now, colleagues increasingly looked to him for direction and support.
That experience strengthened his troubleshooting skills, decision-making and ability to work under pressure. He has now been Calibration Lead for more than two years.
“LotusWorks has played a pivotal role in my career development, providing opportunities to grow both technically and as a leader. The training, support and guidance I’ve received have enabled me to continuously develop my skills, build confidence and pursue my long-term career goals within the field of engineering,” David says.
A Typical Day
David is now responsible for the planning, scheduling and execution of calibration maintenance on site. He continues to support field work, but his role is increasingly focused on coordinating the team and ensuring technicians have the tools, training and information needed to work safely and efficiently.
His leadership style has also developed. As a Senior Technician, he worked directly alongside colleagues and guided them through tasks. As Calibration Lead, he provides wider oversight and trusts the team to manage their work, while remaining available when challenges arise.
“This approach is built on mutual trust: I trust the team to carry out their work safely and to a high standard, while they trust that I will provide guidance and support when challenges arise,” he explains.
That trust is particularly important during maintenance shutdowns, when a high volume of work must be completed in a short period. During the most recent shutdown, David led the team through a CMMS transition mid-shutdown while also delivering project work and the monthly calibration schedule.
The combination required him to adapt plans quickly whenever something ran late, without letting the other workstreams stall. Successfully leading the team through that period was a demanding but valuable experience.
The work also has a clear purpose for David. The client site he works on manufactures life-saving cancer treatments, and the calibration team helps ensure that equipment supporting production continues to operate accurately and reliably.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is knowing that the work I do has a direct impact on patients,” he says.
Since joining LotusWorks, David has seen the company grow into a global organisation while building his own career within the calibration team. His advice to those starting out is to express an interest in the work that excites them and be prepared to step forward when new opportunities arise.
Five years on, David says “the ever-evolving nature of the industry ensures the work remains both challenging and interesting, there is always something new to learn. This important aspect contributes greatly to my career growth and professional development.”
