Luke Fenner, Mechanical Engineer, Construction Group
I saw this job as a great opportunity to make a change and get in on the ground floor. I took that opportunity.
As an engineer at Intel, you control your own time, figure out what works for you, and impact the output. My average day is interesting because every day is different. Some days, I’m doing design reviews, others I’m conducting material inspections. Maybe I’m on-site with vendors, or at my desk designing. I enjoy the variety and constant challenges.
I came from traditional construction. It’s different here at Intel—there’s a lot more freedom in this job. When I first started with Intel 25 years ago, I saw this job as a great opportunity to make a change and get in on the ground floor. I took that opportunity. Since then, I’ve been involved in the construction of all the Intel factories and site buildings. Over time, the size of the buildings and technology has changed a lot. The work has become more challenging with each generation and the difference between the fab developments over time is brilliant to see. Each project has required even more innovation than the last.
At Intel, the Construction Group is always going at top speed. The quantity of work and time scales require us to develop new methods in order to complete the work. Innovation is key. Even though our team is pretty small, we have a lot of influence. We need to work together—it’s not one discipline alone that builds these structures. Electrical, construction, and mechanical experts are all coordinating to deliver the projects on time.
One of the most satisfying things about my job is being able to make a difference. Not just at Intel, but throughout the entire Irish construction industry. For instance, we were the first to establish an incident and injury-free policy in Ireland and this is now the industry standard across the country. Our project requirements often put pressure on the ability of Irish construction workers, which drives the whole industry forward.
Intel’s a good place to work, especially within the construction industry. We’re pushing the boundaries and developing new methods to improve productivity. We have a strict code of conduct and always operate ethically, no matter how high pressure the situation is. Intel gives you excellent opportunities to take responsibility. If you’re willing to do the work, it’s yours to take on. It’s not an easy job—we work hard. But if you get a thrill out of innovation and a job well done, Intel is the place for you.