Evan Obrien

Background

About Evan Obrien

A childhood Lego set sparked my natural curiosity and ignited an interest in engineering that has led to more than 20 years’ experience in hydrologic and hydraulic studies, flood mitigation projects, mine water management, civil infrastructure design, and site-based construction roles. My successes stem from:Technical Excellence – Our industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do I, actively working with my clients to promote the latest in hydrologic and hydraulic techniques, eg. implementing a Monte-Carlo simulation method for better insights into flood risks associated with large dams. Meanwhile, in addition to my project management, business development and mentoring duties, I perform high-quality technical work using software such as ArcGIS, 12d, GoldSim, URBS, XP-RAFTS, XP-SWMM, HEC-RAS, and MIKE. Innovation – I’m a CASA-certified remote pilot, and am currently at the forefront of a remote sensing R&D project looking at ways to implement drone data into our engineering workflow. I’ve used digital photogrammetry to create high quality ortho-mosaic images and digital terrain models at a fraction of the cost of traditional survey. The future is coming fast, and I intend to keep up. Continuing Professional Development – I’m a RPEQ, which is indicative of my commitment to maintaining professional excellence, and of my in-depth knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and water infrastructure design.Quality Communication – No-one is better placed than the designing engineer to communicate project ideas and outcomes. Whether this means briefing a full meeting of Council, or talking with local farmers in outback Queensland, I use my ability to communicate clearly to bring clients and stakeholders on board. Proactive Leadership – A wealth of experience in site work has taught me to act calmly in high-pressure situations. I trust my engineering judgement, seek to identify problems before they arise, and maintain clarity in communicating solutions to my team members.