For Felipe Puentes, Project Engineer at SciDev, problem solving has always been more than a technical challenge—it’s a chance to deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and the environment. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and an Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management, Felipe brings nine years of international experience and a genuine passion for innovative water treatment.
A Global Career Shaped by Curiosity
Born in Colombia, Felipe began his engineering career working in agriculture, delivering irrigation and infrastructure projects for major fruit producers across Colombia, Peru and Mexico. Much of this work centred on implementing new technologies to support crop development, often aligned with government-led innovation programs.
But it was a transition into environmental and water projects that sparked his long‑term interest. In 2021, Felipe and his wife moved to Australia to study, travel and explore new opportunities. He began working for a water treatment company delivering potable and wastewater projects, from dam treatment facilities and urban systems to remote government and military sites across Queensland. Those projects reinforced the essential role water infrastructure plays in public health, resilience and community wellbeing.
Felipe joined SciDev in July 2023 as a Site Engineer, expanding his experience into leachate treatment, tunnelling water treatment plants, sludge management and potable systems. Today, he plays a key role in a major mining rehabilitation project in the Northern Territory—work that brings together complex technical challenges with real environmental impact.
Innovative Leachate Treatment
A key project for Felipe was a complex leachate challenge on an environmentally sensitive site. As Site Engineer, he supported operations, maintenance and system upgrades, helping achieve the successful treatment of more than 30 million litres of contaminated water.
The work resolved a long‑standing issue for the client and significantly reduced potential risks for the surrounding community. Innovation was central to its success: a combination of conventional and advanced technologies, including specialised pre‑treatment and PFAS management, and a system flexible enough to adapt to daily shifts in water quality.
“It was rewarding not just technically, but because we made a real difference to the community,” Felipe says.
Encouraging Innovation Through Curiosity
For Felipe, innovation thrives in environments where people feel confident asking questions and challenging established ways of working.
“In water treatment, there’s rarely just one solution,” he says. “I encourage the team to look at the data, test ideas at a small scale and involve operators early—they often see opportunities first.”
He believes innovation should be practical and measurable, such as improved compliance, reduced chemical use, or more cost‑effective operations.
Growing Into a Broader Role
Working across multiple countries has shaped Felipe’s approach to engineering. Some projects required creative solutions under tight constraints, while others benefited from advanced technologies. Earlier in his career, his focus was on delivering design and construction scope; today, he’s thinking further ahead—how systems perform in five, ten or fifteen years, and how responsible choices today influence long‑term sustainability.
With automation and real‑time monitoring now central to modern water treatment, Felipe spends more time optimising processes to ensure efficiency and reliability across varied environments.
Felipe is committed to continuing his development in water treatment, particularly in process optimisation and treatment design. “Every project teaches you something new. I want to keep building my expertise and contribute more to developing solutions at SciDev.”
Engineers of the Future
His advice for emerging engineers is to focus on strong fundamentals, spend time on site, and pay close attention to how the details—hydraulics, electrical systems, dosing and operations—fit together. He also encourages young engineers to stay curious, be open to feedback and develop strong communication skills, because engineering is ultimately a people‑driven profession.
Beyond the Engineering World
Outside of work, Felipe is very family oriented—especially with a baby boy on the way. He loves travelling, experiencing new cultures and discovering great food. At home, his ideal morning begins with a long bicycle ride and ends with a strong black coffee at sunset—best enjoyed alongside his wife.
