“From sailing on a warship to exploring a prison, my job is truly diverse.”
With an unusual background in Astronautics and Space Engineering, prior to joining Beca Jenny held a role as Spacecraft Operations Engineer seconded to the British Ministry of Defence. She also worked for a marine navigational company in Auckland before being based in Wellington as an Associate of Beca Applied Technologies.
Jenny’s position is as much about managing people as the technical side, presenting plenty of challenges and opportunities that she has welcomed. Her core role as a Systems Engineer has led to project managing a number of government sector client projects, particularly in the defence communications area.
Jenny cites diversity as a major component of satisfaction on the job. In contrast to a conventional office setting, she has set sail on HMNZ Ship TE KAHA assisting with communications projects. Jenny is currently working with the Royal New Zealand Navy to replace the communications control systems on the vessels. Beca was involved from the original investment case and is currently managing the project through to acceptance into Naval Service.
Beca has invested in Jenny through various means from project and contract management to risk training courses. “Beca provides you with ample support to stretch yourself and up-skill,” she says. “They will push you ahead to achieve bigger and better things.” Greg Lowe, currently Managing Director of Beca’s Australian operations, has also been influential in guiding her leadership in the defence segment.