A Junior Piping Engineer at Boustead International Heaters (BIH) based in Singapore, Nelly isn't one to shy away from a challenge. Her experiences include navigating complex engineering problems and embracing a dynamic field in the world of piping engineering.
She thrives on the excitement of solving complex problems and designing piping layouts. Her day-to-day responsibilities primarily involve pipe stress analysis using CAESAR II, a specialised engineering software. “The opportunity to solve complex problems and designing piping layout excites me as a piping engineer. It involves a lot of creativity, precision, and collaboration with other engineers, making it a dynamic and constantly evolving field,” she shares.
Her journey with BIH began with an internship that she describes as both positive and enriching. During this time, she gained valuable insights into the field of piping engineering while also experiencing BIH’s supportive company culture. According to her, the welcoming team environment and the opportunity to continue learning made the decision to join BIH full-time an easy one. "My internship sparked a deeper passion for engineering, and I was excited to return to build a career here.”
BIH is a globally-renowned designer and supplier of various Heat Transfer products including Direct Fired Heaters as well as Waste Heat Recovery Units and Piping Engineers such as Nelly are vital in the value chain in ensuring design and engineering details are tailored to meet their client’s specific requirements cost-effectively. As specialists of off-site modularisation, BIH’s modular designs reduce on-site installation time, which can be advantageous for sites where skilled labour is limited or working conditions are restrictive.
Piping engineering is not without its hurdles. Nelly recounts a particularly challenging project where a piping layout defied successful analysis. "In one of my projects, a major challenge arose when the piping layout I was analysing could not pass no matter how many times I rerouted the layout. I consulted a senior engineer and senior designers for advice and after more attempts, we succeeded in passing the stress analysis. From this challenge, I learned to reach out for help and advice when needed and to learn more from seniors."
Nelly found herself consistently pushed beyond her comfort zone, especially when presenting. She remembers one instance as an intern, where she had to deliver the findings of a complex investigation to the Detailed Engineering Director. “I had prepared by studying the investigation data in detail. It also helped to use simplified visuals and key data points to make the presentation more engaging.” That experience, she says, significantly boosted her confidence for future presentations.
She also highlights the importance of adaptability and communication to foster good collaboration with her teammates, especially when dealing with large-scale projects involving cross-border teams. “One of the ways to enhance our cross-border workflow is by having colleagues from our overseas offices visit and vice versa. I have travelled to the Malaysian office for team building and meetings and this has helped me to put faces to the people I interact with daily, strengthening our working relationships.”
For aspiring engineers, Nelly offers valuable advice. "Engineering is not just about formulas and software. It is also about practical problem solving, adaptability and communication. Developing a problem-solving mindset helps in engineering and being ready for unexpected challenges. Stay curious, be adaptable, and always strive to improve."
Looking ahead, Nelly aims to deepen her technical expertise in piping engineering, particularly in areas such as stress analysis, pipe routing optimisation, and material selection for high-temperature systems. The opportunity to enhance her skills and tackle new challenges keeps her motivated and driven. "Problem-solving and technical challenges motivate me to improve on my own knowledge of piping engineering," she says.
Interested in learning more about our people, or becoming part of the Boustead group? Take a look at our Careers page.