Meet Joan, a passionate chemical engineer whose journey from Spain to Australia has been marked by curiosity, adaptability, and a drive to make water treatment smarter and more sustainable. Based in Sydney, Joan has been part of the SciDev team for the past 18 months, bringing a wealth of experience and going the last mile for our clients to build trusted relationships.
From Field to Design: Building a Career in Water Treatment
Joan’s career began in the operation and maintenance of small stormwater and wastewater treatment plants, working closely with electricians and plant operators to monitor systems and troubleshoot issues. Keen to expand his hands-on skills, he transitioned into a technician role, where he commissioned and decommissioned water treatment systems for construction sites.
That practical experience laid the foundation for a move into decentralised Membrane BioReactor plants and water reuse applications, where Joan began to bridge the gap between operations and design. “It allowed me to see designs from a different angle than the typical office engineer”, he says.
Later, Joan joined a start-up focused on introducing innovative water technologies to the Australian market. With access to a lab and a wide range of testing equipment, he explored unconventional solutions for challenging water treatment scenarios. “It was good fun,” he reflects, “and showed me how research and development can support engineering decisions and provide new solutions.”
At SciDev, Joan started in commissioning, working on PFAS and tunnelling water treatment plants, before moving into a full-time design role. “Now I focus on process design and ensuring we meet the client specifications,” he says.
Building Trusted Client Relationships
One of Joan’s proudest achievements was for a recent project, where SciDev was engaged to deliver a 30% design for a PFAS treatment plant. “This was the first time we worked with this client, and we needed to deliver a good result and establish trust.”
As lead process engineer, Joan took charge of the engineering deliverables while producing all process design documents. He liaised directly with the client and ensured their specifications were met. “It was satisfying to see the relationship grow and confidence build,” he says. While the project didn’t allow for much innovation, the client’s risk-averse approach favours proven solutions; it was a testament to the value of clear communication and technical expertise.
Engineering is not a one-size-fits-all
Joan believes that in engineering “there’s always more than one way to do the job,” he says. “You need to research before settling on a solution, look at what’s out there, what it would take, and what’s emerging in academic papers.”
While cutting-edge solutions often require more testing and development, Joan sees value in exploring them early. “Even if they’re not ready for full-scale deployment, they can inspire better designs and smarter decisions.”
Looking ahead and advice to young engineers
Joan’s goal is simple: stay with SciDev and keep growing. “I want to work on successful, interesting projects where I can keep learning and become a better engineer.”
His advice to young engineers? “The devil is in the detail, but don’t get stuck in it. It’s a contradiction, but you must pay attention to the detail, while ensuring you don’t waste your time and still meet your deadlines.”
