Brayden Vinck, 22, grew up surrounded by the pump industry through his family’s business. “Whether it was hearing my dad and grandpa talk about pumps or having my grandpa teach me about the bilge pump on his boat, I was introduced to the industry at a very early age. By the time I was 20, I was already sketching piping systems and heading toward a career as a mechanical engineering technologist,” he said.
Today, Vinck works at Industrial Fluid Consultants Inc. as an applications specialist, helping customers design, troubleshoot and optimize fluid handling systems. When asked what led him to specialize in this particular area within the industry, he said, “I’ve always loved figuring out how things work, and growing up around pumps meant I was surrounded by real-world examples of physics and problem-solving in action. That mix of hands-on experience and curiosity made specializing in fluid systems feel like the perfect fit.”
Vinck finds helping customers solve problems with their existing systems to be the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry. “Many people blame the pump or seal when something goes wrong, but truthfully, it’s almost always a system issue. I enjoy playing detective—proving that out, getting systems running as smoothly as possible and improving efficiency, MTBF (mean time between failures) and operating costs along the way.”
As for the future of the industry, Vinck says he’s excited to see how 3D printing unfolds. “The ability to print pump parts instead of casting them could speed up repairs, cut waste and make custom solutions more accessible. Pairing that with 3D scanning opens the door to a whole new way of maintaining and designing systems.”
What is one thing you wish you'd known before getting into the industry?
That you don't have to learn everything at once. The industry is huge, and I'm still learning about new pump types and applications even after three years in the field. At first it was almost overwhelming, but I've realized it's more important to build knowledge steadily than to expect to master everything overnight.
Have you had a mentor(s) who influenced your career development?
My dad, Calvin Vinck, has been a constant teacher and motivator. And my now-retired grandpa, Ray Gagnon, has also been a huge influence on how I approach both work and life. They've shown me the importance of integrity, hard work and generosity, and they're always willing to lend a hand or help me troubleshoot tricky applications. I've also learned a great deal from colleagues and OEM partners who've been generous with their experience.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of your role?
Every project has both a technical side and a people side. The technical part can usually be solved with the right tools and data, but aligning those solutions with customer's needs and constraints is often the real challenge, especially when the customer has been "doing it that way for years."
What advice would you give to students considering a career in this industry or newcomers to the workforce?
Get as much hands-on experience as you can. Theory is important, but real confidence comes from being around equipment, asking questions and not being afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. Absorb everything you can from manufacturers, OEM partners and colleagues, and never hesitate to ask questions.
What do you do to make sure you're continuing your education/training?
I make it a priority to keep learning. I've completed several OEM "pump schools," mechanical seal and operation/maintenance training, Fathom Pipe Flow Modeling courses and ITT ProCast Level 1 impeller and casing scanning. I'm currently applying to become a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) and working toward the Pump Systems Assessment Professional (PSAP) certification, which focuses on optimizing system performance. I also take on challenging projects that push me to continually expand my experience.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of?
I played a major role in moving our repair specification sheets from paper to a digital platform and automating repair reports so they auto-generate from data entered by service technicians. This change has improved quality, significantly reduced report preparation time and made the process far more consistent.
How do you typically spend your time outside of work?
I enjoy spending time with loved ones, being outdoors, fishing, boating and staying active. I'm also usually working on side projects. Mechanical work isn't just my job, but something I genuinely enjoy.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I’m the youngest person ever accepted into both GDPWW (Goulds Distributors Partnership Worldwide) and CDO (Canadian Distributor Organization). I used to tag along as a kid—not to the formal meetings, but to the evening dinners—so being able to now attend the official sessions as a member is an honor I don’t take lightly.
Read about more 10 to Watch finalists here.
