Ben Nicholas
Inverness,Highland
Summary
Project Engineer with over nine years’ experience delivering complex, safety critical engineering outputs in highly regulated environments. Originally trained in aviation engineering on fast‑jet platforms, with extensive experience supporting the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, and now delivering major infrastructure and technology projects within the water treatment sector at Ross‑Shire Engineering.
Strong background in support engineering principles, configuration control, technical data usage, risk management, and cross functional stakeholder coordination. Proven ability to identify emerging technical risks, drive first time quality, and support through life capability management, with direct relevance to obsolescence management on defence aviation programmes such as the P-8A.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Project engineer - Water Technologies
Ross-Shire Engineering
Inverness, Highland
11.2024 - Current
- Deliver the engineering scope of major water treatment projects from design through construction and handover.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering inputs (mechanical, electrical, ICA, civil) ensuring alignment with programme requirements and client expectations.
- Manage technical risk, change control and engineering deliverables to achieve 'right first time' outcomes.
- Liaise with supply chain partners and OEMs to manage technical queries, substitutions and lifecycle considerations.
- Produce and review engineering documentation, schedules and reports to support governance and client approvals.
- Apply structured problem‑solving to emerging technical issues, minimising programme impact.
Senior Engineering Supervisor
BAE Systems
Lossiemouth, Moray
04.2023 - 11.2024
- Led engineering teams delivering serviceable Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft following major rectification and maintenance activity.
- Planned, coordinated and supervised complex maintenance packages in accordance with approved technical data and military regulations.
- Identified emerging engineering risks and constraints, escalating issues early and supporting mitigation planning.
- Acted as a key interface between engineering, supply chain, management and the customer (RAF).
- Supported component replacement decisions, and design change recommendations to improve reliability and maintainability.
- Developed and implemented process improvements, increasing maintenance workflow efficiency by approximately 20%.
Senior Mechanical Technician
Royal Air Force
Lossiemouth, Moray
06.2016 - 04.2023
- Maintained and inspected aircraft mechanical systems including hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and propulsion systems.
- Worked strictly to approved maintenance data, drawings and inspection standards.
- Conducted component changes and fault diagnosis using calibrated tooling and inspection equipment.
- Built strong understanding of aircraft lifecycle support, technical documentation and compliance requirements.
Education
NVQ Level 3 - Aviation Technician (Mechanical)
City & Guilds
RAF Cosford 07.2018 - 07.2022
Skills
Core Skills
- Obsolescence & Through‑Life Support Engineering
- Military Aviation Engineering (Mechanical Systems)
- Engineering Data Analysis & Technical Documentation
- Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Principles
- Risk Identification & Mitigation Planning
- Cross‑Functional & Supplier Liaison
- Configuration & Change Management
- First Time Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Project Planning & Delivery
- Health, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
Tools & Systems:
- Microsoft Office (Advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Microsoft Project (planning & scheduling)
Affiliations
- Personal fitness & training
- Music production – producing and recording local bands, collaborating with creatives, managing schedules and delivering to deadlines.
Timeline
Project engineer - Water Technologies
Ross-Shire Engineering
11.2024 - Current
Senior Engineering Supervisor
BAE Systems
04.2023 - 11.2024
NVQ Level 3 - Aviation Technician (Mechanical)
City & Guilds
07.2018 - 07.2022
Senior Mechanical Technician
Royal Air Force
06.2016 - 04.2023