John Roberts, 37, never intended to end up in the pumps industry. “I went to college to study geography straight after school and quickly realized it wasn’t for me,” he said. “It was completely different from the kind of hands-on work I’d enjoyed before, so I decided to cut my losses. My brother was working for a large turbocharger manufacturer at the time, and since we’d spent the previous few years restoring an old 4x4 together, he suggested that engineering might be something I’d enjoy. I applied for a job at a local company, and I’ve been in the pumps industry ever since.”
Roberts took to his new career right away, finding great satisfaction in his work as a technical apprentice assembling new and repaired pumps on the shop floor. Following his apprenticeship, he became a junior design engineer in the design office, then moved on to the aftermarket department. That position led to his participation in a number of on-site assignments in the U.K., Denmark and offshore installations in the North Sea and Angola, which Roberts particularly enjoyed. “Those experiences developed both my technical expertise and my ability to collaborate in challenging environments,” he said. As his career progressed, he eventually secured a role as an engineering team leader, then as an applications and hydraulics engineer, and finally his current position with Hydro as senior engineer supporting the Middle East.
When asked what led him to specialize in aftermarket engineering, Roberts said, “What really draws me to the aftermarket side is the variety. No two projects are ever the same. You’re constantly adapting designs or methods to suit each situation, and that creativity keeps the work fresh and rewarding.”
Of course, even the most rewarding job still involves some challenges. “The most challenging part of my job is working across a number of different sites, all with their own priorities and ways of doing things. A lot of what we deal with are repairs, and they’re rarely predictable. When something breaks, it’s usually urgent. Trying to plan and schedule around that can be tough, but it does keep things interesting. No two days ever feel the same.”
Roberts also finds great value in the words of a past mentor. “One of my great mentors used to say, ‘Every day is a school day,’ and I completely agree. With the variety of jobs we see, there’s always an opportunity to learn something new. Courses and articles are great, but for me, the best learning comes from getting hands-on and working alongside people with experience.”
Roberts has his own words of wisdom for newcomers and students considering a career in the pumps industry. “Say yes to as many opportunities as you can and soak up as much experience as possible. Even within a fairly niche area, there are so many different paths you can take, and getting hands-on with a variety of work will pay off in the long run. Take charge of your own development too. If there’s something you want to learn or a course you’d like to do, speak up. People are often really open to supporting you, but they’re not mind readers, and they won’t know unless you ask.”
What is one thing you wish you’d known before getting into the industry?
How important networking and relationships are. The pump industry is such a small world that you often cross paths with the same people in different roles years later. Someone you once worked alongside might become a customer, a supplier or even a colleague again. Building strong professional relationships makes a huge difference and can open doors you don’t expect.
How do you typically spend your time outside of work?
I have two young boys who keep me on my toes outside of work. I live close to the Peak District National Park in the U.K. It’s a fantastic place for outdoor activities, and I enjoy trail running and mountain biking whenever I can.
For more on our 10 to Watch finalists, visit pumpsandsystems.com/tags/10-watch.
