- Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Neil Bird and I am the Engineering Director at Fluenta. Originally from the North East of England, I now live and work in Cambridge. Before working at Fluenta I studied at Oxford University to achieve a Masters in physics and then at Univ Twente in The Netherlands for my PhD in Physical Electronics. Before joining the Fluenta team I worked at Philips, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Xaar.
- What is your role at Fluenta?
I have been the Engineering Director at Fluenta for just over a year, joining the company in April 2016. As part of my role I direct research and development (R&D) projects and oversee product development.
- How did you first learn about Fluenta?
Fluenta found me! I was actually contacted by a recruitment agency about a job. At that point I looked into the company and decided I wanted to learn more.
- What do you like most about Fluenta?
Fluenta’s team is relatively small and this means that everyone needs to be hands on at all times. This enables me to be involved in a number of tasks that I enjoy. I can continue to exercise my technical knowledge as well as running R&D operations.
- What has been your favourite project at Fluenta?
My favourite project involved the development of new high temperature transducers. The challenge is to devise a completely new signal processing scheme whilst also achieving the required performance. This essentially sums up why I joined Fluenta: the ability to work in a senior leadership role while still dealing with significant and challenging technical content.
- If you could switch your job with anyone else within Fluenta, whose job would you want?
I really enjoy my varied, hands on role at Fluenta – I would not want to swap with anyone!
- What advice do you have for prospective Fluenta candidates?
It is always important to work for a company because you want to and not because you need to. If you are enthusiastic about technology or the Oil & Gas Industry, Fluenta is a company that can harness that enthusiasm.
- What are 3 words to describe Fluenta?
Enthusiasm. Excitement. Enjoyment
- What is your proudest moment at Fluenta?
My favourite projects have involved the development of high temperature transducers. I hope my proudest moment will be finding a solution in this field – maintaining signal sensitivity whilst achieving the required performance. This is something we are working hard to achieve.
- What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I am interested in everything technological – some might say it is geeky, but it is part of my job and something I enjoy. I am also a big music fan and have my own collection of 80’s synthesisers stashed away at home.
