School of Maths Guest Speaker - Bradley Wemyss

On January 15, twenty students from the School of Maths had the opportunity to hear from Bradley Wemyss, a Process/Chemical Engineer at Amentum, an engineering consultancy working across several industries. Bradley shared insights into his work in the nuclear industry, where he supports the operation of existing nuclear power plants in the UK and contributes to the design of new Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Bradley’s role involves producing engineering designs for plant equipment and ensuring that all designs are safe and fit for purpose. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Bradley discovered his interest in nuclear power during his first year of sixth form, leading him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Chemical & Nuclear Engineering at the University of Leeds, where he graduated in 2020. During his studies, he was actively involved in the University’s motorsport society. After university, he spent six months working for JCB before moving into his current role at Amentum.

The talk provided students with an overview of the pathways to becoming a Process or Chemical Engineer, including university courses and degree apprenticeships. They learned about the diverse industries where Process Engineering is applied and how consultancy plays a crucial role in making industrial ideas a reality.

"The talk really enlightened me on future pathways I may take into chemical or process engineering, such as university courses or degree apprenticeship opportunities where I can specialise into my own interests," said Bailey Judge, S240446.

"Bradley took us on a whistlestop tour of the path to becoming an engineer. He gave insight into his role at Amentum and how he works with other companies who require the skills of a Process Engineer to make their ideas work at an industrial level," added Nicola Smith.

The session inspired students to consider their own career aspirations and reflect on the skills they are already developing, as well as those they will need to succeed in the industry.