July 08, 2025 • 2 min read
Embracing challenge:
Katie’s global engineering journey
“Engineering is so vast; there’s always something you can do better, something to improve on.”
Katie Lyon’s passion for engineering and problem solving has taken her across the globe – working with diverse teams across a range of roles and projects.
A dedicated piping engineer, Katie began her journey with us as an apprentice around 10 years ago. From designer to graduate engineer and eventually leading to a master’s degree, her drive to learn has only grown as she see theory applied in in her real-world work.
“I quite liked working and studying at the same time because you were learning things at work that you have seen at university.”
Embracing growth in the challenges
Over the years, Katie has worked on a range of projects, starting in brownfield developments and more recently transitioning to greenfield projects. Each experience has been a stepping stone, shaping her expertise and broadening her understanding of the industry.
One of the things she enjoys most about her role is the variety of challenges that come with each project. “Every project is completely different. There’s always a different challenge, a different problem to be solved,” she explains. The constant learning fuels her curiosity, pushing her to grow and explore new opportunities.
“As you hear different people talk about their experiences and careers, it sparks your drive to want to do that as well.”
Going beyond boundaries
Katie’s career has also taken her beyond her home base to a secondment in Malaysia. Originally planned as a three month placement, it turned into an eight‑month experience.
“It came about quickly, and I found myself working with a group of expats in a completely new environment. Having a supportive team was important. I really enjoyed working abroad, meeting people from different backgrounds and seeing how they work.”
Exposure to new cultures and perspectives has only reinforced her belief in the value of diverse ways of thinking and working.
The power of a supportive team
For Katie, what stands out most about her team is the culture of support and open communication. “It’s about being able to put your hand up without fear. Feeling comfortable to ask questions and not feel judged. Having a strong support system and friendly, open communication is important.”
This sense of belonging and encouragement shaped her approach to work and mentorship. Now she’s working to encourage the next generation of engineers – promoting engineering and supporting STEM activities, as well as sitting down with the Engineer Career podcast to speak about her career journey.
Looking ahead
With her chartership in progress, Katie is excited about the future.
“Worley has given me plenty of opportunities. You never feel stuck in one place; there is always a way to keep moving and progressing. They support you at your own pace.”
For those just starting their career journey, her advice is simple: “Communicate and ask as many questions as possible. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Say yes to everything, go along to everything. That’s how you grow.”
