Staff Spotlight: Rob Clark, Project Engineer

Rob Clark joined Projective in August 2023 through our Graduate Recruitment Programme, starting his career as a Mechanical Engineering graduate keen to gain hands‑on, real‑world experience. After studying Mechanical Engineering at University, Rob was looking for a role that would expose him to a broad range of engineering disciplines, projects and live client environments. Drawn to Projective by the variety of work, technical depth and opportunity to develop across different industries, Rob has since grown into his role as a Project Engineer, applying his academic knowledge to practical, site‑specific engineering solutions.

Take us back to when you were graduating — which university did you attend, and what were you looking for in your first engineering role?

I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lincoln. University gave me a broad grounding across lots of different engineering disciplines, but when I was coming to the end of my degree, I realised I didn’t yet know exactly which niche I wanted to specialise in. What I did know was that I wanted to get hands-on experience and understand what engineering looks like in the real working world. Learning theory and completing calculations at university is very different to applying that knowledge on live projects, so I was looking for a role that would expose me to a wide range of systems, applications and real-world challenges, and help me work out where my strengths and interests really sat.

Why Projective? What was the deciding factor that made you feel this was the right place to start your career?

I first heard about Projective through a personal connection — someone my dad had previously worked with was involved with the business and spoke very highly of it. After speaking with the leadership team, what really stood out to me was the variety of work Projective is involved in. The breadth of projects, the different industries and sites, and the opportunity to work in different locations were all really appealing. I had particularly enjoyed thermodynamics at university, looking at things like refrigeration cycles, and knowing that Projective worked extensively in that space made it feel like a natural fit. Overall, it was the combination of technical relevance, variety and opportunity to gain broad experience that made Projective stand out as the right place to start my career.

Tell us about your role at Projective and what a typical day looks like for you.

I’m currently a Project Engineer, and my role involves working closely with client sites to gather and review the information we need to deliver projects successfully. That includes reviewing site data, drawings and equipment information, then working with the wider team to identify opportunities to optimise systems or improve performance. From there, I help develop design solutions and produce drawings to clearly communicate how those improvements will be delivered. A big part of my role is making sure solutions are tailored specifically to each site, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. I’m also always on the lookout for opportunities to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions, which is something I find particularly motivating.

Who supported you most in your early days, and what did great mentoring look like for you?

In my early days at Projective, I received a huge amount of support from the team around me. Rosa was particularly influential in helping me understand the way Projective works and how we approach projects. In terms of mentoring, Jacques really stood out for me. His approach was never to simply give answers, but instead to encourage me to think problems through from first principles. He would guide me to explain the problem, explore possible solutions and understand how I’d reached the final answer. That way, I wasn’t just solving one problem — I was learning a process I could apply again and again, which has been invaluable.

How would you describe the learning and development journey at Projective?

My development at Projective has been a steady, ongoing process, with a lot of learning happening on the job. At the start, there’s a lot to take in as you get up to speed in your first role, but over time you begin to build confidence by applying lessons from one project to the next. Projective has also been very supportive of formal development. For example, the business supported me in attending a professional development course through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, which helped me improve my presentation and communication skills. That’s been particularly useful for client-facing work, helping me present technical information more clearly and build stronger client relationships.

What’s one thing Projective gets right culturally that makes it a great place for graduates to thrive?

The level of support at Projective really stands out. You’re surrounded by highly knowledgeable people who are always willing to help and share their expertise. Alongside that, the culture is very open and sociable — from informal conversations in the office to organised social events, there are lots of opportunities to connect with colleagues and learn about the different projects everyone is working on. That mix of technical excellence and a welcoming, inclusive environment makes Projective a great place for graduates to develop both professionally and personally.

What’s the most rewarding part of your engineering role?

The most rewarding part of my role is seeing ideas turn into real-world solutions that make a tangible difference. Being able to design and help deliver systems that reduce energy use and carbon emissions is something I’m particularly proud of. It’s also rewarding knowing that the solutions we provide are designed for the long term, supporting clients well beyond the end of a single project and contributing to ongoing improvements at their sites.

What advice would you give to a graduate considering applying to Projective?

My advice would be to show a genuine willingness to learn and get involved. Don’t be afraid to put your hand up for opportunities, ask questions and take on new challenges. Engineers generally enjoy explaining things, so there’s no harm in asking if you don’t understand something. I’d also say don’t be afraid to be wrong. Trying ideas, even if they don’t work perfectly first time, is one of the best ways to learn. Every mistake helps you understand problems better and develop stronger solutions in the future.