Career Heroes - Kirsty Hegarty

Tell us more about you

In my spare time I’m involved in the sport of clay pigeon shooting. Throughout my engineering career, my employer has supported my sporting ambitions, resulting in me attending the Tokyo Olympics as part of Team GB and securing several World, European, and Commonwealth titles.

What kind of work do you do?

Currently, I’m working on the A350 Freighter Program. As Spirit AeroSystems is a multinational company, my day begins with checking in with my colleagues in Malaysia, who are working on the same work package.

After this, I’ll pick up my engineering tasks. This could include creating new models in CATIA (software package), reviewing design solutions, and liaising with other departments to progress the design on the work package.

My day also includes attending meetings with our customers and suppliers and ensuring that solutions can be reached for any issues they are facing.

Being an engineer involves a lot of teamwork, as everything you design must align with other needs and wants. There is scope for working independently and then presenting your ideas to a wider group. In the team I’m in you are never truly on your own as there is always someone you can bounce your ideas off.

As part of a large team, it’s great to be able to speak to engineering departments outside of design such as program, materials, stress, and manufacturing. This allows for a greater understanding of the whole design process.

My role is primarily office-based. I’m in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with the option to work from home on a Monday and Friday. I prefer to be in the office to allow me to separate my work life and home life but it is great to have the flexibility.

How did you become a Design Engineer?

I went to Ballymena Academy, where I did A Levels in Physics, Chemistry, and Maths.

I studied Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University, Belfast and graduated with a master’s in Engineering in 2012. My course allowed me to take a placement year, which was invaluable. Being exposed to a working environment during my studies really gave me focus and life experiences to speak about during graduate job interviews.

I joined Bombardier in Belfast (now Spirit AeroSystems) after leaving University. My first role in the company was in Customer Support, the as a Spares Engineer, then a Repair Engineer. The company has always been very supportive of my interests outside of engineering and in 2019 supported me to take a sabbatical to concentrate on my sporting career.

After three years out of the company and going to the Tokyo Olympics, I returned to the company but in the design department as a Design Engineer.

If you could do-over, What would you do differently?

During my sabbatical, I would have completed some courses related to engineering to keep my knowledge current, instead of the course I completed in Criminology.