The main gig and the side gig

My main gig currently is designing the mechanical components of high-voltage equipment for the mining industry, including opencut, IP, and FLP gear. So, I do a lot of structural steel design work as well as sheet metal design to create products that adhere to the applicable electrical standards and Australian design standards. Typically, I'm given a brief on what the customer needs, a single-line diagram, a list of electrical components and the constraints I will work within (time or costs). I've worked with my current employer for 11 years and still enjoy the work.

The side gig is more diverse but still strictly mechanical design work. I've cut back on it in the last few years—working 65 hours per week as a full-time single parent is a recipe for extreme burnout. Exposure to a broader range of design challenges has helped my career immensely. I've found myself designing and drawing products in industries such as dewatering, materials handling, drilling and boring, mold design, aluminium fabrication and agriculture.

My drafting career started with AutoCAD and then moved to Solidworks, but I've been using AutoDesk Inventor since 2009, and I find it works well. The drawing aspect of my job is my favourite part; everybody likes to throw together parts and assemblies, I like putting together drawings. My drawings are influenced mostly by the many fabricators I've worked with, so being clear, easy to read and understand is the priority.

What I love most is being a present and positive dad and riding motorcycles. My ideal "gig" would allow me to prioritise those two loves.