SMIFutures Early Career Profiles: Jonathan Brown

It’s time to meet another of the young professionals driving change within the maritime industry as part of SMIFutures. Meet Jonathan Brown, Engineering Director at Malin Marine Consultants. In his interview, Jonathan speaks candidly about overcoming imposter syndrome as a young maritime professional, along with the importance of building a strong network of peers to assist in doing so.

From being inspired at a young age after touring BAE Systems at Govan, Jonathan has since gone on to work on several high-profile projects, including the rollout and float-off of HMS Glasgow.

What initially attracted you to the maritime industry, and why did you choose it as a career path?

At school, although I had an avid interest in physics and engineering, I was unsure what to pursue when it came to considering a career. Luckily, just before my first exams, I had the opportunity to participate in a residential course with the Smallpeice Trust, which offered an introductory experience in naval architecture; from this my interest in all things maritime was ignited.  

The residential course offered a range of activities, from practical challenges to on-site visits and industry talks. We were tasked with building miniature container ships, designed to carry as much cargo as possible, before competing at the test tank to discover which was best (while also taking guesses on which ones would sink). We also toured BAE Systems at Govan, who at the time were constructing blocks of the aircraft carriers. The sheer size and scale of the carriers made a lasting impression, opening up the full range and variety of opportunities this industry may offer. Little did I know that the firm I would subsequently work with played a key role in the transportation of these vessels.

I firmly believe the residential trip was a turning point in my early career, enabling me to broaden my horizons, hear from those in the industry and ignite my interest in maritime, a passion that would subsequently lead me to study naval architecture.  

What initially attracted you to your company, and why did you choose it for your career path?

Having worked in large and small companies, I was initially attracted to Malin as, whilst it operates as an SME, it delivers large-scale projects across the UK and Europe, across a range of sectors. Given this, I knew the organization would afford me the opportunity to have exposure to a diverse range of projects, with numerous clients. As a smaller company, it also enables you to work closely with a range of internal functions. Rather than solely focusing on engineering, I’m continually exposed to tendering, finance, research, and procurement during the day-to-day job, and this exposure works to deepen my knowledge every day. The dynamic environment also ensures my role is always interesting and exciting, and I am continually challenged by colleagues who represent specialists in their fields.

Continued learning is encouraged, with employees challenged to continually grow and develop. Many senior staff have been promoted from within, and there are many opportunities to take on more responsibility and further your career within the company. I have also been very lucky to work on a range of high-profile projects, from the roll-out and float-off of HMS Glasgow, first in class, to MariLight 1 and 2, which investigates the large-scale adoption of LSAM within the marine industry.

What challenges did you face during the early years of your career, and how did you overcome them?

Much like other young professionals, I continually faced (and continue to face) imposter syndrome. There are always times you feel out of your comfort zone, like you don’t belong, and this can at times be debilitating and represents a real challenge to fully overcome.

To help overcome this, I have worked to create a solid network within Malin itself, and in the wider marine sector. With these groups, I have been able to reach out to others in those times I am questioning myself, chatting through my doubts and questions. This has enabled me to not only open myself to new ideas, solutions, and ways of viewing the profession, but has also irrevocably built up my sense of self and belief in my own ability. Sometimes challenging situations are those where you learn the most, either about yourself or a specific area, and being in those pressure situations, and potentially learning from mistakes, has given me valuable knowledge to take forward.

How did you navigate the transition from being a student in school or university to a working professional in the maritime industry?

During my time at university, I completed internships each summer in a variety of different industries and companies.

The internships started off relatively basic, focusing on draughting, modelling, and building an understanding of structures. From there, they gradually developed to include site work, such as vessel surveys and dockings, which enabled me to see the practical application of naval architecture.

Looking back, these experiences were extremely valuable. They helped me to really translate my theoretical understanding of the course into industry while also understanding typical ways of working. By the time I graduated and started working full time, I was therefore used to an industry workplace. This was a real head start, allowing me to hit the ground running. I would really recommend anyone entering the industry to consider internships, apprenticeships, or placements – anything to get some hands-on experience and learn from others.

What do you find most rewarding about working in the maritime industry, and what motivates you to continue pursuing your career in this field?

Many see Glasgow as being past its maritime heyday however my personal experience has been quite the opposite, with the city offering a host of exciting projects and truly innovative solutions. Malin’s HQ is just along from BAE’s Govan and Scotstoun sites and we have worked extensively with them to roll-out and launch their Type 26 first and second in class, the HMS Glasgow and latterly HMS Cardiff. This has been teamed with projects such as the transportation of the TayWhale in Dundee, to the design and feasibility of housing heat pumps on barges on the Clyde to heat the businesses and residents of the city. 

Through the projects I work on, I get to see first-hand how their application can change both the industry and wider society. We also have an abundance of collaborative research facilities, from FE and HE institutions to tech hubs, alongside a variety of innovative companies nearby, who both contribute to and encourage us in our efforts to drive change and innovate.  

Encouragingly, the industry is going through a period of huge change, with pressures on technology, sustainability, and people. But this makes it hugely exciting and allows us to explore new ways to design, build, collaborate, and work. The industry seems ready to take on this challenge and is actively drawing upon lessons from other disciplines to see how we may together drive progress. The sheer range of projects that I am able to get involved in through my role, each of which have tangible outputs and promise real potential impact, is staggering, yet exciting. And I am only early on in my career, I can’t wait to see what the next five to ten years brings.