As a teenager, Roisin imagined what an engineering career might look like — it could, she hoped, involve fun things like playing with robots, 3D printers and lasers. Today, as a graduate mechatronics engineer working in Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry, Roisin is getting to do just that.
In her role with BAE Systems Australia’s maritime division at Adelaide’s Tonsley innovation district, Roisin enjoys working with Spot the robotic dog, exploring how the technology can be best employed in the Hunter Class Frigate Program.
During high school at Adelaide’s St Ignatius College, Roisin loved science and maths and says that when she started studying engineering at the University of Adelaide, she immediately knew she had made the right choice. Roisin graduated with a Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Honours) with a Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Engineering.
At work, Roisin has found good support for women in STEM, including “lunch and lean [in]” sessions aimed at women, and equality programs. “There’s one called Building Blocks … which is looking at generating more knowledge about equality and getting people to learn a bit more.”
Roisin’s biggest inspiration is her mum, a pharmacist who undertook a PhD while juggling the needs of three school-age children. “I have no idea how she managed to do it … it’s so amazing,” Roisin says. “She would have been in her early 40s then, so the idea that it’s never too late … is pretty inspirational.”
Interested in a defence industry career? Visit navalshipbuildingcollege.com.au.
