On a mission to help engineers to be more entrepreneurial | Project Director @ Legacy Property Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer passionate about design thinking, innovation and challenging the status quo.

The best engineers don’t just design. 


They think. 


They create. 


They lead. 


They shape the future. 


That’s been the theme of my 25+ year career, starting on site in trenches, with pipes, pumps and concrete, and evolving into a Chartered civil and structural engineer, Director, Advisor, Mentor, Coach, and community builder.


My career has spanned over $5B of infrastructure and development projects across Australia and Vietnam. 


But the turning point came when I realised engineering wasn't just about drawings and approvals, it was about value, clarity, and execution. 


I once saved a client $1M in 1 hour of drawing review. 


That shift changed everything.


Today, I lead Vinculum Advisory—an engineering consultancy focused on specialist engineering and delivery management for development and infrastructure projects across NSW. We help our clients navigate the most complex components of design, risk and delivery, bringing technical clarity and strategic thinking to every phase.


I also serve as Technical Director at Legacy Property, where I drive value engineering and strategic outcomes across their portfolio. My role spans due diligence, planning, approvals, masterplanning and delivery, ensuring smarter outcomes, faster execution, and best-for-project results.


My technical strengths are matched by a deep commercial lens, blending engineering logic with development and delivery strategy.


And that mindset now powers everything I do:


THINK — Strategic vision, technical excellence, and future-focused frameworks. 


CREATE — Platforms like 3 Degrees of Separation and The Entrepreneurial Engineer to connect and elevate engineers and entrepreneurs.


SHAPE — Real outcomes, team building, smarter delivery, and future-ready professionals.


I speak to rooms, mentor individuals, and advise businesses, not just to talk about engineering, but to talk about where our future is going.

I also have a podcast that dives into real people, their stories and highlights what makes them more entrepreneurial.

https://youtube.com/@theeepod?si=tlDxFeznvs4UdPxt

Because the future of this industry doesn’t belong to the most technical. It belongs to the most adaptable. 

The most curious. 

The most willing to lead.

If you’re an engineer, entrepreneur or young professional ready to think bigger, create and shape your future, and make more impact, let’s connect.


#EntrepreneurialEngineer #VinculumAdvisory #LegacyProperty #3DegreesOfSeparation #ThinkCreateShape

Darren Flynn

Google has reportedly made a massive move in the energy space.

Spending around $4.75 billion dollars to acquire an entire energy company, all to keep up with the exploding power needs of its AI data centers. 

As artificial intelligence systems demand enormous amounts of electricity, tech giants are now racing to secure their own energy supplies instead of relying on traditional grids. This deal highlights how critical power has become in the AI era, where data centers run nonstop to train and operate advanced models. 

For Google, it is not just about sustainability or cost control, but about ensuring uninterrupted growth of its AI ambitions in the years ahead

On a mission to help engineers be more entrepreneurial. Passionate about design thinking, innovation, tech, future, AI and challenging the status quo.

I grew faster on LinkedIn by commenting than by posting.

Most people still don’t get why.

Sometimes I like and comment on everything in my feed.

10 minutes...

Non-stop.

Back-to-back.

Because that’s how you show up.

That’s how you stay top-of-mind.

That’s how you build momentum, reputation, and opportunity.

You don’t grow by posting once.

You grow by participating relentlessly.

Until people can’t ignore you.

Give it 10 minutes a day.

Watch what happens in 10 weeks.

I learnt more from tradies than textbooks.

One of the greatest advantages I ever had as an engineer wasn’t a degree.

It was learning to treat EVERYONE as an equal.

I’ve always believed this:

If you want to succeed in engineering, listen to people.

Not just managers.

Not just Directors.

Not just the “qualified.”

Listen to the tradies.

The carpenters.

The sparkies.

The plumbers.

The labourers.

The Mum-and-Dad clients.

The person sweeping the floor.

The person working on site. 

Half of the best engineering lessons I’ve ever learned came from someone who never once called themselves an engineer.

Because respect isn’t about title, qualifications or hierarchy.

Respect is about being human enough to recognise that everyone sees something you don’t.

The day you think you’re “above” asking someone’s opinion…

is the day you stop growing.

The day you sit down with the trades and genuinely listen…

Is the day you become the engineer people want to work with again.

Great engineering isn’t built on ego.

It’s built on collaboration.

It’s built on curiosity.

It’s built on respect.

That’s the real shortcut to success.

And it costs nothing.

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Mark Pang

Engineers, talk is cheap.

Delivery is rare...

Everyone has ideas.

Everyone has plans.

Everyone means well.

But trust is built on one thing only:

Doing what you said you’d do —
when you said you’d do it.

No reminders.

No excuses.

No “almost done”.

Just delivery.

This is what separates:

Professionals from pretenders

Engineering leaders from loud voices

Long careers from short ones

The quiet operators don’t explain themselves.

They don’t overpromise.

They don’t need to be seen.

They just show up…

And finish the job.

Say less.

Do more.

Deliver when it counts.

If this hit, you already know why.

Perks of being an Engineer

Money

Make family proud

Happiness

Not....

Reality check:

Stress
Responsibility
Deadlines 

What they don’t show in the chart:

You’re paid for what you know, not what you do

You carry risk so others can sleep

When it works, no one notices

When it fails, everyone points

Engineers don’t chase happiness.

We chase confidence, clarity and getting it right.

First time.

Pride comes later.

Money comes eventually

Responsibility comes immediately.

Tag an engineer carrying the whole project right now.

Whoever designed this… 

Give them a raise. 

This is what happens when creativity meets engineering thinking:

Solve the problem

Make it obvious

Make it unforgettable

Most workplaces hide fire extinguishers.

This one turned it into a diver’s oxygen tank.

Functional, compliant, and brilliant.

Good engineering isn’t always about adding complexity.

Sometimes it’s about adding imagination to the things people walk past every day.

Because when design, safety and creativity intersect. 

Everyone wins...

Learn when to build around something.

Rather than cutting it down.

Not every obstacle needs to be removed.

Not every problem needs to be demolished.

Not every constraint needs a fight.

Sometimes the smartest engineering decision

the one that saves time, money, relationships, and sanity

is to design with the constraint, not against it.

That’s leadership.

That’s judgement.

That’s what separates textbook engineers from real-world ones.

Because in projects, careers, and life:

Some things have roots.

Some things hold the soil together.

Some things grow stronger when you work with them, not around them.

The trick is knowing which is which.

Learn that — and everything gets easier.

Engineering knowledge is the true foundation of our built environment...

Not concrete.

Not steel.

Knowledge.

Every city you admire.

Every bridge you trust.

Every building you walk into without thinking twice.

They all stand on decades — sometimes centuries — of accumulated engineering thinking.

This image says it all.

Because before anything is built

Someone calculated the load

Someone questioned the assumption

Someone learned from a past failure

Someone wrote it down so the next engineer didn’t repeat it

Engineering is not about drawings.

It’s about judgement.

It’s not about software.

It’s about understanding.

It’s not about speed.

It’s about getting it right when it matters.

The problem today isn’t a lack of tools.

It’s a lack of depth.

We’re building faster than ever…

But are we thinking deeply enough?

The engineers who invest in knowledge today
are the ones whose work will still be standing tomorrow.

Don’t live to work… 

work to live. 

*posted on a Saturday

**while playing ⛳

18 minutes is enough to change everything, here's why.

Most people wildly overestimate what they can do in a week....

And massively underestimate what they can do in a year.

18 minutes a day doesn’t feel impressive.

It doesn’t feel “grindy”.

It doesn’t feel Instagram worthy.

But here’s the part no one talks about:

• 18 minutes beats zero

• Consistency beats intensity

• Reps beat motivation

100 hours a year on one skill compounds faster than talent ever will.

That’s how average engineers can become exceptional.

That’s how quiet operators lap loud talkers.

That’s how careers quietly take off while others stay stuck.

You don’t need a new year.

You don’t need a perfect plan.

You don’t need more time.

You need 18 minutes.

Every day.

Pick the skill.

Show up.

Let time do the heavy lifting.

Consistency is the real cheat code.

Most people look at pipes and see… 

Pipes.

Engineers look at them and see fittings, flow, and liquid.

Artists look at them and see shape, colour, personality.

But the magic happens when all can see the awesomeness. 

1. Turn the pipe into a character

A 90° bend? That’s a neck.

A flange? A frill. 

An inspection opening? A belly button.

Engineers create the structure.

Artists bring it to life.

2. Use colour to shift perception

A red pipe is a pipe.

A polka-dot pipe a blue snake? 

Now you’ve got an attraction.

3. Integrate science concepts

You can turn everyday assets into teachable moments:

A water main illustrated with flow arrows, velocity changes, turbulence zones

A gas main showing molecular movement. 

Art becomes a science lesson.

Science becomes accessible.

Engineering becomes visible.

4. Use pipes to show engineering principles visually

You can paint around or above a pipe to demonstrate:

Laminar vs turbulent flow

Pressure zones

Structural bending moments

Stress concentrations

Load transfer

Hydraulics concepts

Suddenly the public can see what engineers think about.

5. Blend pipes into murals

A horizontal pipe becomes a tree branch.

A vertical one becomes the trunk.

This is where art meets geometry, creativity riding on top of civil engineering.

6. Turn maintenance points into interactive features

Valve handles painted as flowers

Inspection pits turned into portals

7. Bring in storytelling

Engineers build networks.

Artists build narratives.

Imagine walking through a precinct where each piece of infrastructure tells a chapter in the story of water:

Catchment

Treatment

Discharge

Energy recovery

Environment

Pipes become characters in a bigger ecosystem, not just hidden underground.

8. Use pipes to make engineering FUN for kids

Every time a child sees a painted stormwater pipe and thinks,

“Wow, what does THAT do?”

We just created the next generation of engineers.

Why This Matters (and why engineers should care)

Because the future isn’t just about designing things that work.

It’s about designing things that people connect with.

When engineering, science, and art overlap, you create:

Better community engagement

Higher visibility for essential infrastructure

A deeper respect for the built environment

A culture where engineering is seen as cool, not boring.

More young people entering STEM

Spaces that feel alive

Turning ordinary systems into extraordinary experiences.

The F4 Freeway (Now the M4) under construction through a bare looking Emu Plains and Penrith in 1970. 

Emu Plains was named by early European explorers in the late 1780s/early 1790s because they saw large numbers of emus roaming the flat lands near the Nepean River.

Imagine 50 years from now...

Photo Source: Transport for NSW

The more you know you don’t need to use ChatGPT…




The smarter you actually are.

Read that again.

It’s true.

AI is a tool.

A powerful one.

So don't be a tool.

Know it's not a replacement for thinking.

He lost a $1M McLaren. 

Then built $1T worth of companies.

In 1999, Elon Musk sold his first startup for $20 million.

No mansion. 

No yacht.

Just a $1M McLaren F1.

Uninsured.

A year later, he looked at Peter Thiel and said,

Watch this.

Seconds later, the McLaren was airborne.

Totaled. Gone.

Most people would’ve called the insurance company.

Musk just kept driving, metaphorically.

Because that crash wasn’t about a car.

It was a mindset test.

He doesn’t insure against failure.

He uses it as fuel.

That’s the Entrepreneurial Engineer difference.

While most build safety nets — he builds launchpads.

While most slow down — he scales up.

While others dream — he executes.

You don’t have to like him.

But you can’t deny this:

He lost a car.

Then engineered an empire.

Most engineers don’t have a career problem.

They have:

a discipline problem, 

a courage problem, 

a stop-making-excuses problem.

You’re not “stuck.”

You’re just comfortable.

You’re not “overlooked.”

You’re just not loud, valuable, or dangerous enough.

And no, your boss isn’t the issue.

Your work ethic is.

Here’s the truth no one wants to say:

If you’re not moving forward in engineering right now, it’s your fault.

Not the industry.

Not the market.

Not your manager.

Not AI.

You.

The moment you accept that…

Is the moment everything changes.

Engineers who win don’t wait to be chosen.

They build skills, leverage, networks, and opportunities.

And they do it before they feel ready.

Savage?

Yes.

But it’s also the only advice that actually works.

Stop waiting. 

Start leveling up.

Your future self is already disappointed you’re taking this long.

Engineers, before you look to open a door of opportunity, 

Look for signs.

Most people rush toward any open door.

New role.

New title.

New opportunity.

But the fastest way to stall your career

is opening the wrong door...

Here’s how to spot the wrong door before you touch the handle:

It opens away from who you’re becoming

If the opportunity pulls you back into comfort instead of forward into growth, it’s the wrong door.

You’re excited about the badge, not the work

Status fades fast.

Skill compounds.

If the role looks good but doesn’t build you, wrong door.

You can’t explain what it leads to

Good doors connect to corridors.

Bad doors are dead ends dressed up as shortcuts.

You’re ignoring friction signals

That quiet hesitation?

That mismatch in values, people, or culture?

That’s not fear, that’s data.

Before you open the door, look for any obvious design flaws, and ask yourself, 

Where does this door actually lead.

McDonald’s in Tokyo..

Where global identity meets Japanese minimalism. 

A builtform happy meal.

Engineers. Work hard.

Not for the car or the applause.

But for control.

Control over your time.

Control over your projects.

Control over how your day is engineered.

You put in the work now so your future isn’t an endless cycle of deadlines

Firefighting, and Sunday-night dread.

Most people work just hard enough to survive.

Engineers design systems.

You’re designing a life that works for you.

The goal isn’t luxury.

The goal is freedom you don’t need a vacation from.

Lock in.

5 non-negotiable skills to show if you want to get promoted or land that dream job.

Most engineers think promotions come from: 

• More technical skill
• More years of experience
• Another qualification

They don’t.

They come from signals.

Here are the 5 that actually move the needle:

Ownership (End-to-End Delivery)

Stop writing “assisted”.
Start showing what you owned, including when things went wrong.

Leaders take responsibility for outcomes — not tasks.

Stakeholder Communication

If you can’t explain complex engineering to:

• Clients
• Directors
• Contractors

You won’t lead projects.

Clarity beats cleverness every time.

Decision-Grade Thinking

Senior engineers don’t pass on information.

They frame decisions.

Risks.
Options.
Recommendations.

That’s how trust is built fast.

Commercial Awareness

The fastest promotions go to engineers who understand: 

• Cost
• Time
• Risk
• Client pressure

Technical skill keeps you employed.

Commercial thinking gets you promoted.

Systems & Improvement Mindset

Top engineers don’t work harder — they design better systems.

Automation.

Process improvements.

Smarter workflows.

That’s leadership before the title.

Hard truth:

You don’t get promoted when you’re “ready”.

You get promoted when your manager knows you're already doing the job.

Your biggest engineering career problem isn’t skill.

It’s your lens...

Same data.

Same drawings.

Same constraints.

Different outcome.

Because you’re not seeing reality.

you’re seeing it through:

past failures

old rules

someone else’s ceiling

a lens you never questioned

Most engineers don’t hit a limit.

They look through one.

Change the lens.

The opportunity changes instantly.

Read that again.

IPCS

During my job search in Australia, I often received feedback from interviews and networking events that I lacked technical knowledge and experience designing Control System solutions and using various PLC and SCADA software. 

This is true, considering it had been a while since I had actively worked in the industry, as I was pursuing my long-standing dream of higher studies in Australia.

After much thought, I took a break from my current work. 

Then, I went back to revising the basics of industrial automation through a professional diploma, which made me confident and updated me on the latest standards required to transition into the workforce. Here are some of the highlights:

Developed and optimised control systems using Allen Bradley RS Logix500 and Delta DVPsoft, resulting in a 25% reduction in system downtime and increased overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Integrated PLC-SCADA interfaces using AB RSLogix 500 Ethernet and Wonderware INTOUCH SCADA, achieving a 40% improvement in real-time data monitoring and analysis, significantly boosting decision-making processes within the automation framework.

Control Systems Engineer Trainee

Mash Staffing Australia

•	Managed registration process for Cisco Live! Event, facilitating smooth check-in for attendees and processing registrations efficiently, resulting in a 100% satisfaction rating from event participants.

•	Assisted attendees with wayfinding, enhancing navigation within the event space and directing participants to sessions, exhibits, and demonstrations, contributing to a 20% increase in attendee engagement.

•	Actively participated in technical demonstrations, effectively showcasing Cisco's products and technologies to event attendees, resulting in a 15% increase in product awareness among participants.

Brand Ambassador | Event Management

Full IT Solutions Australia

• Collaborated with four fellow interns and the software development manager to ensure the resilience of
networks in PLC and SCADA systems by integrating redundant systems and failover mechanisms, aligned technical specifications and product descriptions that met the requirements of 15 clients, enhancing system reliability for critical industrial processes.

• Spearheaded client engagement through cutting-edge industrial network projects, understanding market needs, devising quotes, and commissioning electronic security systems for 90 clients.

• In 3 weeks, directed the research analysis of an offline LAN server with SteamWorks for a VR project,
including proof of concept and increased quality assurance by 25%.

Network Administrator Intern

RGIS, LLC

•	Supervised eight sites across ACT and NSW by leading a team of 4 stock takers, managing the stock take database, and organising the storage of inventory scanning results from each site.

•	Assisted team leader by compiling and reporting data from technical documents, ERP, and training materials; reviewed user manuals for stock-taking hardware and software for 8+ sites.

•	Collaborated with the team leader to collect and analyse data from technical documents, ERP systems, and training materials; reviewed user manuals for stocktake hardware and software across 100+ sites;

•	I implemented the automation of the inventory management system, which reduced stock discrepancies and increased profits by 20% in 2022.

Retail Stock Taker

BRIDGE PEOPLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PVT LTD

•	Secured $20k in business from prestigious engineering institutions by acquiring new clients for lecture recording and error detection solutions.

•	Delivered product demos, contracts, training materials, and technical documentation, including sales quotations and system specification documents for over 25 client engagements.

•	Collaborated with the Marketing Director and three other Product Sales Managers to align overall marketing strategy with product focus.

•	Contributed to over 18 successful client engagements by developing comprehensive contracts, training materials, and technical documentation.

Product Sales Manager | Learning Management Solutions

Adtech Systems Limited

•	Generated over $60k in business through 50+ sales presentations on security systems for technology, manufacturing, and retail clients by collaborating with 5 software engineers and testers.

•	Performed troubleshooting on electronic security systems, resulting in an 80% decrease in system malfunctions and improved security measures.

•	Utilised mathematical data skills to develop electronic security solutions for 10 customers, resulting in improved security measures.

•	Executed 3 custom projects by conceptualising electronic security hardware, selecting electronic components, and delivering database administration support.

•	Managed the complete installation of an electronic surveillance system for a 2.5 MW solar power plant, leading 7 technicians to address issues during commissioning, troubleshooting, compliance, and repairs across 25 contractors' sites.

Executive: Business Development & Technical Support | Building Management Systems

Lana Technologies

•	Managed day-to-day operations in customer-facing to provide proactive insights into CCTV, Networking, Access Control, and Biometrics products to achieve a 95% satisfaction rate.

•	Collaborated with the sales team to boost work relationships. Developed expertise in complex network & access control projects and enhanced PLC proficiency, increased retention by 50%.

•	Ensured customer satisfaction by providing technical support for CCTV cameras and biometrics, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.

Sales Engineer | Building Management Systems

• I have achieved specialised certifications in the Building Management Systems Engineering and Industrial Automation Engineering verticals, demonstrating expertise in key industry areas.

• Implemented modifications to an alarm system on Siemens S7 300 and enhanced efficiency by
programming a Delta DVP-12SE to regulate water temperature at 40°C by controlling the pumping of
heated water from the main process tank. Collected data using WinCC for analysis and optimisation.

• Integrated Rockwell PLC with Intouch to effectively monitor and control associated hardware, such as
RTDs and Motors, while generating a PLC-based 'Elevator Control System' using Siemens S7 400 to
efficiently direct warehouse lift operations across four floors.

• Successfully configured Delta PLC, DVP-12SE, and Human Machine Interface (HMI) for screen
development, ensuring optimal electrical asset performance.

Honeywell

• Completed one month of intensive hands-on training in Industrial Automation Systems, focusing on
Honeywell Experion® LX DCS.

• Proficiently utilised PLC technologies such as ControlEdgeTM and MasterLogic while also mastering
Experion® Elevate, a cutting-edge real-time process SCADA system known for its security, scalability,
and cost-effectiveness.

• Demonstrated expertise in utilising Experion® HS, a robust software platform featuring innovative Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications, supervisory control, and data acquisition (SCADA) capabilities.

• Acquired comprehensive knowledge of Experion PKS, a unified architecture integrating advanced
distributed control system (DCS) technologies with powerful applications aimed at enhancing process
performance, business agility, asset management, and workforce efficiency.

• Engaged in practical learning experiences, including a field visit to Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers
Ltd in Mumbai, gaining firsthand insights into real-world applications.

Hi there! I’m Madhu, a passionate Graduate Controls Engineer specialising in Industrial Automation & Building Management Systems.

With 3+ years of experience, I have worked on PLC, SCADA, Networks and BMS solutions, helping businesses enhance efficiency, minimise downtime, and optimise industrial processes. My expertise spans network integration, industrial cybersecurity, and automation design, making me a valuable asset in the manufacturing, energy, and building management sectors.

𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:

I thrive on solving complex automation challenges by designing and implementing control systems that increase reliability and productivity. Whether optimising industrial networks, integrating innovative automation solutions, or troubleshooting control systems, my goal is simple: maximise operational efficiency through practical automation solutions.

I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to projects that have improved real-time monitoring by 40%, reduced system downtime by 25%, and optimised security systems for a 2.5 MW solar plant, reducing maintenance costs by 15%.

𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑨𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔:

✅ Optimized system uptime – Integrated PLC-SCADA interfaces using Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500 and Wonderware InTouch, boosting real-time data monitoring by 40%.

✅ Industrial Network Resilience – Designed failover mechanisms using Modbus RTU, EtherNet/IP, and Profinet, ensuring continuous operations in automation networks.

✅ Process Automation – Configured Siemens S7-300 and Delta DVP-12SE PLCs to automate temperature control, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in water regulation processes.

✅ Building Management Systems (BMS) – Delivered 3 BMS projects, implementing electronic security and access control for a solar energy plant, reducing maintenance costs by 15%.

✅ IIoT & Smart Manufacturing – Developed automation solutions using MQTT, OPC UA, and IIoT protocols, streamlining industrial data collection and analysis.

𝑲𝒆𝒚 𝑺𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔:

🔹 Industrial Automation: PLCs (Honeywell, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Delta, ABB), SCADA (WinCC, Intouch, Ignition and IFix)
🔹 Industrial Protocols: Modbus RTU/TCP, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, MQTT
🔹 Network Engineering: Cybersecurity, Network Failover, Wireless LAN, LoraWAN
🔹 Building Management Systems

𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌:

Beyond engineering, I enjoy scrolling automation trends, networking with industry professionals, and creating easy-to-read content to share my knowledge in Industrial Automation. 

Recently into Pickle Ball 🎾

#OpentoWork - Let's connect over a coffee chat. ☕

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