Meet the team … Laura Rutland

August 2021

Laura Rutland

Project engineer Laura Rutland joined Lorien Engineering Solutions in 2019 as a graduate after completing her mechanical engineering degree at the University of Dundee. Over the past two years, she has become an integral part of the packaging team. She was recently promoted to project engineer and now works with some of the biggest names in food manufacturing. In her spare time, she has her hands full with her eight-month old standard poodle puppy Angus and decorating her new home.

It is quite hard to picture what an engineering career looks like – there are so many different elements to the job.

When I joined Lorien as a graduate engineer, I spent a lot of time working with senior engineers and visiting client sites within the various FMCG sectors. I learned so much by shadowing and working alongside them and it allowed me to develop the skills and confidence required to handle projects independently. I have recently completed an installation job where I undertook the role of lead packaging engineer for Lorien during the second phase of the install.
The projects that I’ve been involved with have ranged from changing the use of a factory to optimising existing production lines. We help clients to understand how to get the best out of their sites. 

Laura Rutland
Laura Rutland onsite at a beverage factory

Over the past few months I have been virtually full-time on site with one of our key clients in the food and drink sector, which involved spending a significant amount of time in Belgium. I find the on-site work rewarding because I get to see first-hand how our design solution has made a difference to the client’s business, from start to finish.

Lorien’s graduate scheme offers tailored training to support the development of technical and non-technical engineering competencies. I am on the Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and I am working towards gaining Chartered status.

As a young engineer at the start of my career, I have the unique opportunity to work in different roles within each project I undertake. I aspire to become a well-rounded engineer, gaining as much experience as possible through involvement in a variety of projects. There is so much to explore!
Outside of work, I keep myself busy with my handsome standard poodle Angus, who loves a good walk, chasing rabbits and the local pub. My partner and I bought a house last year so we have spent a lot of our time decorating. Now that the house is mostly painted, we have turned our focus to the garden, battling the brambles and have started a new decking project. 

Laura Rutland and Angus
Laura Rutland and Angus

Moving to a new village during the height of the pandemic made it tough to keep in touch with everyone. Now the restrictions have eased, the diary is fully booked with overdue catch ups with friends and family! At the weekends, we are making up for all the time that was lost during the lockdowns.