James Pawsey

Introducing James Pawsey one of our Senior Mechanical Design Engineers! We asked James a few questions to get to know more about his role at CAN and what he does outside of work.

What is your role at CAN and what do you enjoy the most about it?

I’ve recently transitioned from a Mechanical Engineer to a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at CAN. This shift in my role means I’m stepping up to showcase my skills while mentoring younger, less experienced engineers – a new and exciting challenge for me. Working on a large project with a dynamic team of about 20 engineers is great. The diversity of experience and knowledge we bring to the table creates a vibrant team atmosphere and makes collaboration enjoyable. There’s a real sense of camaraderie here.

Additionally, CAN excels in employment development. The opportunities for growth are fantastic, and they genuinely encourage us to achieve our professional goals. I’m currently working on my chartership application, thanks to CAN working hard on rolling out their Professional Development Scheme, which has recently been accredited by the iMechE. It’s empowering to be part of a company that invests so much in its employees’ future.

How long have you worked at CAN for?

I have worked at CAN for 2.5 years.

What advice would you give to someone joining the business?

Adjusting to the work style in the nuclear industry was a challenge for me initially. Before CAN, I was used to a product turnaround of 8-12 weeks, but here, the projects are more complex and involve extensive analysis, safety design, and detailed reporting. At first, it felt like I wasn’t doing much engineering, but soon I realised that these discussions and reports are integral to creating a clear and effective design before diving into the CAD work. This meticulous approach might not suit everyone, but I thrive on the detail. It’s intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding.

What do you do at the weekends?

I’m often hopping between bars and restaurants, enjoying the local scene. To balance it out, I like to play tennis and workout in the home gym I built in the garage.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I have a knack for making my annual leave stretch impossibly far. I’m always on holiday! Recently, I was in Berlin for the Euro24 build-up, which was an incredible experience. I flew back on the Sunday, rushed back to Southampton, and watched the final at St Mary’s stadium. Then, it was straight back into work the next day. Balancing work and travel is an art I seem to have mastered!