Ryan began his engineering journey at Ulster University in Ireland, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2018. Soon after, he made the leap to Australia, taking on a range of maintenance and labouring roles that gave him valuable real-world experience.
“These early jobs gave me a strong understanding of how sites actually operate,” he explains. “That background has shaped how I approach engineering challenges.”
Based in Sydney, Ryan has been with SciDev for nearly five years. He has a hands-on, solutions-focused approach to delivering complex and innovative water treatment projects across Australia.
Delivering Complex Projects with Innovative Thinking
One of the standout projects in Ryan’s career so far has been the delivery of a technically challenging water treatment system for ACCIONA on the Western Harbour Tunnel.
Responsible for managing the on-site mobilisation, installation, commissioning, and handover, Ryan led the project through a complex and variable water environment.
“The commissioning phase was particularly difficult due to unpredictable water quality,” he recalls. “We introduced design contingencies like continuous backflushing on the primary filtration system and regenerable resin media.”
These innovative solutions ensured the plant delivered consistent performance, met all milestones, and offered long-term reliability for the client.
Encouraging Innovation in Water Treatment
Ryan sees innovation as essential—not just at the design stage, but throughout the project life cycle.
“At SciDev, innovation often means tailoring our approach to meet each site’s unique challenges,” he says. “It’s about finding smarter ways to deliver performance and reliability.”
With growing focus on contaminants like PFAS, Ryan recognises the increasing complexity of water treatment design. “New technologies are changing the way we solve problems, and we need to remain agile and keep learning to stay ahead.”
He commented that SciDev’s FluorofIX™ and RegenIX™ products designed to treat PFAS are market leading solutions. Ryan is proud to be part of a company that is leading the way in developing innovative solution to manage harmful contaminants.
He has seen first-hand the positive environmental impact that innovative PFAS remediation solutions like FluorofIX™ have delivered. Ryan led the construction and commissioning of phase two of remediation of the former Country Fire Authority (CFA) Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre at Fiskville. He also managed the treatment of contaminated groundwater at a former oil refinery in Rutherford. The site was a known source of hydrocarbons, oil and PFAS, and the team’s work helped to reduce contamination of the surrounding environment and community.
Growth and Leadership
Ryan’s next professional goal is to transition into a project management role.
“I want to keep learning through experience and mentorship, and build the skills I’ll need to lead larger projects,” he says.
Reflecting on his journey, he offers clear advice to those just starting out:
“Don’t be afraid to take risks, and never let an opportunity pass you by early in your career. Treat every task—whether it’s sweeping the floor or managing a multi-million-dollar project—with the same level of commitment. It all builds confidence, versatility, and experience.”
A love of adventure and the great outdoors
When he’s not onsite, Ryan loves to get outdoors, travel, and work on restoring retro motorbikes.
“It’s a great mix of adventure and hands-on creativity,” he says. “And a good way to unwind from the day-to-day.”
