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PODCAST

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast

Welcome to Engineering Success! This NTP podcast features some of the brightest engineering and manufacturing minds in the Hunter region and beyond. Join us for insightful conversations with the folks behind the region"s most exciting projects. We"ll dive into their career stories, the challenges they"ve faced, and the awesome tech they"re working on. Whether you"re in the industry or just curious, Engineering Success will give you a peek into the vibrant world of local engineering and

technology careers

All Episodes

51:03

Lex Forsyth: Founder & COO at Janus Electric

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2026/03/02

In this episode of Engineering Success, NTP Talent's Melinda Sietsma sits down with Lex Forsyth, founder and COO of Janus Electric, to discuss the real-world transformation of Australia’s heavy transport sector. Lex explains how Janus is converting existing diesel trucks into zero-emission vehicles using innovative, swappable battery technology. He breaks down the hard math, proving that the shift to electric isn't just an environmental pitch, it's a high-stakes economics game that slashes

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72:39

Bret Barton: HunterNet Senior Business Advisor

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2026/02/02

In this episode of Engineering Success, NTP Talent's Melinda Sietsma sits down with Bret Barton, HunterNet Senior Business Advisor and UoN Defence & Aerospace BD Lead, to pull back the curtain on the booming industrial landscape of Newcastle. A seasoned aeronautical engineer, Bret shares his fascinating journey from the Canadian military, to the frontline of flight testing in Florida, before eventually settling in Australia and working with major firms like Nova Systems.If you’ve ever

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65:00

Neil Hunt: Managing Director Mineral Systems at...

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/12/02

In this episode of Engineering Success, Melinda Sietsma interviews Neil Hunt, Managing Director of McLanahan Group, for a conversation that blends personal resilience, engineering leadership, and an extraordinary company legacy spanning 190 years. Neil shares his unconventional career journey, immigrating to Australia and navigating multiple industry pivots, to ultimately leading one of the world’s oldest family-owned engineering businesses. His story looks at how perseverance, curiosity,

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41:17

Steve Heaton: Founder at Xetla Consulting

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/10/20

Steve Heaton, founder of Xetla Consulting and co‑inventor at STAR Scientific, is demystifying the messy, exhilarating reality of R&D. In conversation with Melinda, Steve traces his winding path from Unix systems and project management to astronomy, particle physics, and muon‑catalyzed fusion, showing how curiosity compounds into career-defining opportunities.He makes the case for incremental progress when parameter space is uncertain, and why diverse teams outperform look‑alike groups

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37:06

Annie Lacombe: Head of Engineering at MGA Thermal

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Annie Lacombe, Head of Engineering at MGA Thermal, shares her path from a modest background to working in oil and gas, food manufacturing, and defense industries across multiple continents. Annie opens up about the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated industries, and how a mentor made a difference. In this episode, Annie dives into MGA Thermal’s groundbreaking technology that uses aluminium phase-change to store thermal energy, addressing a critical gap in industrial

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50:59

John Klinkenberg: Principal Industrial Designer at...

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/08/20

John Klinkenberg, Principal Industrial Designer at The Melt, fell into industrial design after his mum applied for him to study it at the University of Newcastle. John shares his career path working across various companies and industries, eventually leading him to his current role at the Melt, where he collaborates with startups to solve hardware challenges. John discusses the unique embedded model of the Melt, which allows for closer collaboration with businesses during the design

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24:26

Christie Hayward: Boilermaker At WesTrac

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/07/22

Christie Hayward, an apprentice Boilermaker at WesTrac, who bravely moved from Sydney to the Hunter Valley to pursue her passion for metalwork. You'll hear how her mechanical engineer parents fostered her love for hands-on learning, leading her to a career she truly loves. Christie pulls back the curtain on the daily life of a Boilermaker, from welding and fabricating to working on massive Caterpillar mining equipment.Highlighting WesTrac's strong commitment to women in trades. This is a

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53:58

Peter McKinnon: Managing Director At Omnia Wheel

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/07/15

In this episode of the Engineering Success Podcast, Melinda Sietsma sits down with Peter McKinnon, the managing director of Omnia Wheel. Peter shares his fascinating career path, from co-founding a successful construction company, Mainbrace, to his current role leading Omnia Wheel. He introduces us to the Omni Wheel, an incredible invention that combines the best parts of a fixed wheel and a swivel caster. This means it offers the directional stability of a fixed wheel but can move in any

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79:01

David Leask: Project Consultant At Novecom

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/05/28

Join us on the Engineering Success podcast as we sit down with David Leask, a project consultant at Novacom. David shares his fascinating journey from electronics apprentice to agricultural technology expert, offering insights into the world of Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture.Discover how David's passion for electronics, sparked by childhood curiosity and nurtured by mentors like Bob Cowan, led him to a diverse career spanning trade work, education, and innovative agricultural

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38:30

Jess Hodge: Managing Director at Resourceful Living

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/05/08

In this episode of Engineering Success, we sit down with Jess Hodge, co-founder and managing director of Resourceful Living, a revolutionary company transforming plastic waste into beautiful, durable products. Jess shares her inspiring journey from marketing to sustainability, sparked by a eye-opening honeymoon experience. Learn how Resourceful Living is tackling plastic pollution in the Hunter region, their innovative manufacturing process, and the challenges they've overcome, including a

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29:11

Sonia James: Process Engineer at InfraBuild

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2025/01/23

Join us on the NewTechPeople Engineering Podcast as we sit down with Sonia James, a process engineer at InfraBuilder. In this engaging conversation, Sonia shares her inspiring journey from India to Australia, discussing her educational background, career path, and the challenges she faced along the way. She offers valuable insights into the manufacturing industry, particularly in the steel sector, and provides advice for aspiring engineers, especially women in the field. Sonia also touches

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42:08

James Coventry: Site manager at AGL's Liddell Power...

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/12/04

In this episode of the NTP's Engineering Success podcast, we sit down with James Coventry, the site manager at AGL's Liddell Power Station. James shares his journey from a boilermaker to his current role overseeing the closure and demolition of one of Australia's largest coal-fired power stations. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in transitioning the energy industry, the importance of recycling and environmental responsibility, and AGL's commitment to renewable energy. James

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37:24

Kari Armitage: Managing Director at Quarry Mining

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/10/30

Kari Armitage, Managing Director of Quarry Mining, shares her remarkable journey from civil engineering to leading a thriving manufacturing business in the mining industry. She discusses taking over the family business, growing it from just a few employees to over 100, and expanding into international markets. Kari provides a glimpse into Quarry Mining's innovative technologies, including 3D metal printing and lights-out machining. She reflects on the challenges of being a woman in a

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45:22

James Thorning: General Manager at Nepean Power

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/10/17

Join us for an insightful conversation with James Thorning, General Manager of Nepean Power, as he shares his journey from a small-town upbringing to leading a major engineering company. James discusses his career path, the challenges of rapid business growth, and the importance of fostering a strong company culture. He offers valuable advice for aspiring engineers and leaders, emphasizing the significance of being useful in one's role and continuously improving. James also provides an

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25:08

Luke Dawson: Managing Director at Safe Gauge

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/08/22

In this episode, Mel Sietsma sits down with Luke Dawson, Managing Director of Safe Guage. Luke shares his journey from plant mechanic to successful entrepreneur, detailing how he founded Safeguage in 2019 to create innovative safety solutions for the mining industry. Luke discusses the company's rapid growth, expanding from Australia to the United States, and their mission to eliminate live work and improve technician safety. He offers insights into fostering a culture of innovation, the

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37:32

Engineering Success with James Mansell from Downer

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/08/07

In this episode, we chat with James Mansell, Engineering Manager for Downer's Rail and Transit Systems team in Cardiff, NSW. James shares his career journey from intern to manager at Downer, and provides insights into the rich history and current operations of Downer's Cardiff facility. He discusses recent innovations like their new Electronic Test and Repair Centre, as well as ongoing projects like the bogey overhaul program. James offers his perspective on the advantages of working in

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0:44

Welcome to Engineering Success, a NTP Podcast

Engineering Success | A NTP Podcast ·

2024/08/02

We're excited to be launching Engineering Success, NTP's latest podcast series. Hosted by Melinda Sietsma, this podcast is a collaboration between NewyTechPeople and Hunter Manufacturing Awards. In this series, Mel will talk to key individuals across the Hunter region, sharing their career stories and the exciting projects and achievements of our local manufacturing businesses.

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17 results

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