In this career interview, Spyros Kostopoulos, an Engineer shares his experiences about working for LDK Consultants. Employed by the company since 2005, Spyros talks about the many challenges he has faced whilst working in Greece, as well as the various ways in which to become a Mechanical Engineer.

1. This is an interview with a Mechanical
Engineer who works in Greece.

2. Working as a mechanical engineer can be a rewarding and
fulfilling experience. Mechanical engineers work to design, build
and analyze motor vehicles, aircraft, heating and cooling systems,
watercraft, manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and
machinery, robotics, medical devices, alternative energy and
more.

3. What is an engineer?
Engineering is the art of
applying scientific and
mathematical principles,
experience, judgment,
and common sense to
make things that benefit
people.
What types of engineers are there?
The five largest engineering areas are:
 Chemical engineering
 Civil engineering
 Electrical engineering
 Industrial engineering
 Mechanical engineering
What qualities do successful engineers have?
 Strong in mathematics and science
 Highly analytical and detail oriented
 Imaginative and creative
 Good communication skills
 Enjoy working in teams
 Enjoy building or improving the way
things work.

4. Learn about the education, practical steps,
and experience you'll need to become a
Mechanical Engineer.
Spiros Kostopoulos has been with LDK since
2005 so come September he will have been
with us for ten years.
‘’ It’s a long way from ships but the basic
principle is the same. You get all these pieces
of equipment coming together to make a
structure come to life.’’
BEng (Hons), MSc,
CEng, MIMechE Senior
Chartered Mechanical
Engineer
LDK Consultants is one of the few multidisciplinary
development consultancies adding value to our natural and
built environment by combining engineering and policy making
services.

5. When did you decide you wanted to become an engineer and was there anything or
anyone in particular that inspired you?
I do not think I can pinpoint one defining moment in my life that made me say ‘yes,
I want to be an engineer’. I think, as with all true vocations, you slowly get a
subconscious calling for it. It probably stemmed from the fact that from a very
early age my father would take me to his office and in the hallway entrance there
was a very detailed, scaled down model of one of the company’s ships. Without
exaggeration, every time I would see it I would be in awe at this ship, sitting on a
metal pedestal behind a large glass case.
Unwittingly, that then developed into a fascination of ship designs and their
specifications which was aided by plans and inspection surveys of ships that I
would find around the office. With unbelievable luck all this culminated into finally
having the chance to see things with my own eyes. I think it was in 1995 when a
ship the company was interested in came to dock relatively near to London, at
Southampton, and I was allowed to accompany the inspection team during its
survey of the ship.
It’s one thing being on a ship as a passenger, but it’s a completely different
experience seeing all the ins and outs of one as you do during an inspection
survey. That was one day I will never forget.

6. In hindsight I think my father probably wanted me to follow in his footsteps, down the
economics path. But I was just too interested in how components and machines, be
they small or large, fitted and worked together to make a structure come to life, so to
speak. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to become an engineer.
What is the best thing about your job?
The best thing about a building services engineer is being able to work on high-profile
projects; especially ones that have a significant and positive impact on the community,
giving you an added level of fulfilment. The other great thing about high-profile
projects is that the investor will most likely bring in design teams from all over the
world and you just cannot compare the pleasure you get from being part of such a
global team, sharing experiences, know-how and objectives to anything else.

7. What are the challenges in getting to where you are now?
For someone wanting to work in Greece right now as a building services engineer,
the economic crisis has heavily affected the job opportunities available due to the
large decline in foreign investments and local construction. Consequently, only a
few companies with an international presence are doing well. From a more global
perspective, I think that the main challenge engineers face is people’s lack of
understanding and appreciation of what we do. However, it is something that
many invaluable professions have to live with and all we can do is hope that one
day people’s perceptions will change.
What advice would you give someone following in your footsteps?
I would recommend joining a recognised professional engineering institution as
early as possible so that you can get advice as to how you can properly develop as
an engineer, it also gives you an opportunity to network with other engineers. An
added bonus is that well informed clients and companies understand the
importance of being a Chartered engineer (or the equivalent status in other
countries). So, work towards this and never stop questioning, researching and
learning.

8. What difference do engineers make to society today?
I can only speak about my sector, but today building services engineers are in a
prime position to influence the future of building designs. Clients and architects
are becoming more and more aware of the importance of building services due to
the effect they have on sustainability, operation, the environment and our own
health and wellbeing. This is the time where buildings have to work in harmony
with nature and mankind.
What was the most interesting Project you have done?
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) due to its emphasis on
sustainability, aiming to achieve at least a Gold LEED certification and at best a
Platinum, and its sheer size which is reflected on the variety and complexity of its
Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) building services. Plus, it had an
international group of designers so the exchange of ideas and knowledge between
us was an eye-opener. Projects come and go, but the SNFCC was definitely one of
those projects that have made me the engineer I am today.

9. What project are you currently working on?
Among many projects, my most recent project is a large, luxury residential
development in Kenya. It’s still in the early stages but the final development will
have a mixture of houses, apartment buildings and recreational facilities all in a
plot approximately 160,000m² in Kiambu County. It’s definitely going to be an
exciting project.
Working in Greece for Kenya

10. Α typical working day in LDK Consultants
As a senior engineer I am responsible for the day-to-day management of several
projects that have been assigned to me. This can encompass a variety of activities
but in a typical day my main job is to ensure that the tasks scheduled for that day,
to each project team, are progressing smoothly.
I try, at least once at the start of the day, to go around to each team member’s
desk to see if they have or will have any issues. If a team member happens to need
some help, then, depending on the nature of the problem I will assist them by
either pointing them in the right direction or by brainstorming the problem with
them or the whole team to solve it.
Throughout the day I will also attend to several telephone calls and/or e-mails with
a project’s client, architect, structural engineer, construction site supervisor, etc. to
discuss or problem-solve some aspect of a project.
If something unforeseen develops that needs to be handled straight way, I will take
care of the matter personally or delegate the task, depending on the workload and
the flexibility of the schedule.

11. I always endeavor to have at least one building service of each project allocated to
myself, whose designs I will work on during the day. Besides the fact that creating a
beautiful, workable and sustainable design gives me great satisfaction, it also allows
me to keep the project fresh in my mind at all times.
Of course, the stage which a project is at may require me to write a technical report, a
specification or some other document instead of working on the designs.
Finally, towards the end of the day I will have a brief meeting with the projects director
to review the day’s events. If the situation requires we will sit down and amend a
project’s schedule, and the next day I will inform the team accordingly.

12. How long did it take to train?
Well, I went to university and obtained a Bachelors and Masters degree in
Mechanical Engineering but as an engineer your development does not stop there.
It really is a lifelong dedication to learning, training and developing yourself
professionally. When technology and our understanding of concepts advance so
rapidly you always have to be there, taking everything in.
To be a good engineer there are also other aspects you have to consider, such as
management and communication skills. That is why several years later, in 2013, I
applied to become a Chartered engineer with the IMechE which embraces this
philosophy, as do all leading professional engineering institutions.
Obtaining my Chartered status that year gave me a great sense of personal
achievement as well as worldwide recognition of my holistic professional abilities.
But again, it’s a lifelong devotion to professional development.

13. So, even though as a building services engineer it can take only a few years to learn the
fundamentals, what continuously drives you is a passion to improve your skills and
understanding, and to truly excel at everything you do. You feel like you are losing out if
you are not out there keeping up-to-date with what’s happening. This way of life
becomes an integral part of being a professional engineer and who you are.
The mind is everything.
What you think you become.
Buddha

14. Study
Develop hobbies
related to
Mechanical Engineer
Learn to use different
sorts of tools
Explore the fields of
Electronics
Take drafting classes
Develop solid written
communication skills Invent something Build something
Take an interest in
manufacturing
Develop your
creativity too
Get a University
Degree Do not give up
How to become a Mechanical Engineer