October 23, 2025 • 3 min read
Rung by rung: How Claire
turned a chance opportunity
into fulfilling work
“Say yes to everything that comes your way.”
Claire Fernandez didn’t expect to become one of our full-time engineers. “I thought I was just helping with an office move,” she says. As a science undergrad, she took a short-term role as one of our document controllers in 2020 after spotting a job listing and putting her name forward.
“It was pretty much: ‘Do you want to keep this document or bin it?’” she laughs. But the job introduced the Perth local to some of our Australian team, who, on finding out she was studying chemical engineering, offered to help her find a more permanent role.
Starting in admin, Claire then joined our safety and risk team, before moving into a graduate role in flow assurance – a specialized engineering field that ensures oil and gas extracted offshore arrives safely onshore. “It’s a niche area,” Claire says, “but it’s fascinating. Lots of fluid modeling and subsea systems; the stuff you might never learn about at uni.”
Developing complex subsea solutions
Currently, Claire is working on an offshore project for Chevron, using flow assurance modeling to help ensure oil and gas can move safely from the subsea reservoir to the plant. It’s the kind of work that relies on constant team alignment.
“Even though we’re technically separate disciplines – flow assurance, pipelines, subsea materials – it feels like one team. These aren’t isolated scopes; we’re all building towards the same structure,” she says.
Her earlier roles gave Claire a broad perspective on other facets of our business, from mining work to power projects. “I’ve been lucky to move around a lot,” she says. “People here are genuinely willing to share their time and knowledge. That’s how I got my start, and it’s still true now.”
Her varied experience has also helped her see firsthand how strong client relationships shape successful delivery. “Some clients are very detail-oriented; they want to understand everything. It can mean more work, but that clarity builds trust. That’s what matters.”
A pragmatic view on the future
Claire’s view of the energy transition is focused on balance. “We need to change, as the world’s gone unchecked for too long. However, we have to do it responsibly,” she says. “We can’t switch off oil and gas overnight. People still need warmth, fuel and food. It’s about managing it properly, and that’s where engineering comes in.”
That lens also shapes how she sees our development as a company, and she’s reassured by the steps taken to improve processes and solutions. “We’re all over digitalization, AI, batteries and more. The company’s moving with the times. That gives me confidence because it means we’re not at risk of falling behind.”
Building a career across continents
Soon, Claire will relocate from Perth to London, a move she’s been planning for years. “It’s one of the great qualities about this organization,” she says. “We have offices everywhere. When I told my manager I wanted to go, he said, ‘You have to. You’re young.’ I was worried about leaving a gap in the team. He told me not to think twice.”
Whether in Perth or abroad, she appreciates the flexibility and trust within our workplace. “We have a gym in the Perth office – I do lunchtime Pilates, and no one blinks. No one is watching over your shoulder. If the work gets done, they trust you. That kind of autonomy is huge.”
Claire’s not chasing a specific title, although strategy or project management may be on the horizon. “I don’t have a detailed roadmap,” she says. “But I’ve learned that being curious and open is often more useful than having a fixed plan.”
“Talk to people. Ask questions. Say yes. That’s literally how my whole career started.”
