“Deep down I always wanted to work for an engineering company, but without an engineering degree I thought that would never be a possibility. However, I found a way!”

Not everyone at FIELD Engineers is, well, an engineer! Our team is full of people with diverse skillsets and backgrounds – people like Jamie Snowden. Jamie started his career as a diesel fitter before specialising in tower cranes. Today, he brings his wealth of hands-on experience, technical knowledge and trademark sense of humour to our team as a High-Risk Plant Inspector. Read on to find out how Jamie found the balance, learning opportunities and camaraderie he’d been searching for at FIELD Engineers.

A better way to live and work

A tower crane is a seriously impressive sight. Up to 80 metres tall, it dominates the construction landscape as it lifts and transports heavy equipment, steel, concrete, and other building materials. Now, imagine being on one of those cranes to build, service and maintain it – that was a big part of what Jamie Snowden did for 22 years!

“When I was a diesel fitter in tower cranes, I had the time of my life,” Jamie says. “Every day was a thrill. You’re hanging on for your life because you’re working at heights. And when we finished work, everyone would get together and talk about tower cranes. It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle, baby!”

The hours were incredibly long – up to 110 hours a week. Not that Jamie minded. He’s been a hard worker and keen learner from the day he started his diesel fitter apprenticeship. But after progressing from Leading Hand to Plant Manager to Operations Manager, the world of tower cranes began to lose its lustre.

“I’ve always been very social inside and outside of work. But when I became Operations Manager, it ground me down. My phone ruled my life. I had no time for anyone or anything outside of work, and I lost that social side of myself.”

Jamie realised something had to change. Previously, he had engaged FIELD Engineers to provide crane inspections and other engineering solutions for his sites, and he’d enjoyed working side-by-side with our team members.

“Deep down, I always wanted to work for an engineering company. I was always very involved with the engineers, and by the end of a big project, I’d think, ‘I’d love to work there with those people.’ But without an engineering degree, I thought that would never be a possibility. However, I found a way!”

Joining FIELD in 2022, Jamie is now “on the other side of the fence”. He’s the one conducting crane inspections as a High-Risk Plant Inspector. Although this involves plenty of travel – usually two to three site visits a day – Jamie says he has more quality time with his wife and three daughters than ever before.

“I do a lot of driving, but I love it. I put a podcast on and think about everything else I need to think about in life. It’s stress-free. And now when I’m home, I’m home in body and mind. My work-life balance has improved 100% at FIELD.”

Learning, growth and good banter

Cranes and other high-risk plant must undergo annual and major inspections to comply with Work Health and Safety regulations. Jamie inspects and assesses these plants to ensure they are operating effectively and safely.

It’s a role that requires exceptional attention to detail. Equally as important is the ability to establish good customer relationships – or, in Jamie’s words, “have great banter”!

“I’m dealing with crane owners and drivers 90% of the time. It’s all about great banter. Some people who are new to me might be a bit anxious, but I’m pretty good at making everyone feel happy and supported. I’ve got extensive knowledge of the industry. I talk and tell jokes – you’ve got to read the room to find out what jokes you can make. I then do the inspection with seemingly little effort, but it’s quite the opposite. I inspect very finely and thoroughly.”

Although he had extensive knowledge of tower cranes when he joined FIELD, Jamie was new to the world of mobile cranes, frannas and other road-based cranes. But with mentoring and support from his leaders, he’s steadily advanced his knowledge.

“I was fortunate to have Jonn Grimmond (our Principal Crane and Rigging Engineer) take me under his wing. He’s quite a good teacher. I’ve been on a massive learning curve this past year and a half, and it’s still going. I really like to learn things while on the job. That’s something I’ve had right from the start when I did my apprenticeship. At FIELD, there is just an absolute reservoir of technical knowledge.”

A tight-knit team that keeps it real

Jamie usually begins his workday at our Brisbane office. He typically does his site visits solo, so he enjoys seeing his colleagues in the morning … and “stirring things up”.

“I am very disruptive,” Jamie admits. “No one’s complained, though. I like talking with the engineers. I especially like to go in when Dave (David Hartigan, our General Manager) is there because he’s good to hang out with. He’s a barrel of laughs – it’s totally unexpected!”

With an office barbecue every Friday afternoon and a great team around him, it’s safe to say that Jamie’s sociable side has well and truly re-emerged. He’s also in a place where he feels respected and supported to live, work and be his best.

“I just like going to work. I like my colleagues. They’ve got a great sense of humour, they’re really nice people, and they’re a diverse group of people. And I have a life again. I’ve dropped my kids off at school five days this week. I was never able to do that before. It’s so easy for me to feel positive now.”

A better way to live and work

A tower crane is a seriously impressive sight. Up to 80 metres tall, it dominates the construction landscape as it lifts and transports heavy equipment, steel, concrete, and other building materials. Now, imagine being on one of those cranes to build, service and maintain it – that was a big part of what Jamie Snowden did for 22 years!

“When I was a diesel fitter in tower cranes, I had the time of my life,” Jamie says. “Every day was a thrill. You’re hanging on for your life because you’re working at heights. And when we finished work, everyone would get together and talk about tower cranes. It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle, baby!”

The hours were incredibly long – up to 110 hours a week. Not that Jamie minded. He’s been a hard worker and keen learner from the day he started his diesel fitter apprenticeship. But after progressing from Leading Hand to Plant Manager to Operations Manager, the world of tower cranes began to lose its lustre.

“I’ve always been very social inside and outside of work. But when I became Operations Manager, it ground me down. My phone ruled my life. I had no time for anyone or anything outside of work, and I lost that social side of myself.”

Jamie realised something had to change. Previously, he had engaged FIELD Engineers to provide crane inspections and other engineering solutions for his sites, and he’d enjoyed working side-by-side with our team members.

“Deep down, I always wanted to work for an engineering company. I was always very involved with the engineers, and by the end of a big project, I’d think, ‘I’d love to work there with those people.’ But without an engineering degree, I thought that would never be a possibility. However, I found a way!”

Joining FIELD in 2022, Jamie is now “on the other side of the fence”. He’s the one conducting crane inspections as a High-Risk Plant Inspector. Although this involves plenty of travel – usually two to three site visits a day – Jamie says he has more quality time with his wife and three daughters than ever before.

“I do a lot of driving, but I love it. I put a podcast on and think about everything else I need to think about in life. It’s stress-free. And now when I’m home, I’m home in body and mind. My work-life balance has improved 100% at FIELD.”

Learning, growth and good banter

Cranes and other high-risk plant must undergo annual and major inspections to comply with Work Health and Safety regulations. Jamie inspects and assesses these plants to ensure they are operating effectively and safely.

It’s a role that requires exceptional attention to detail. Equally as important is the ability to establish good customer relationships – or, in Jamie’s words, “have great banter”!

“I’m dealing with crane owners and drivers 90% of the time. It’s all about great banter. Some people who are new to me might be a bit anxious, but I’m pretty good at making everyone feel happy and supported. I’ve got extensive knowledge of the industry. I talk and tell jokes – you’ve got to read the room to find out what jokes you can make. I then do the inspection with seemingly little effort, but it’s quite the opposite. I inspect very finely and thoroughly.”

Although he had extensive knowledge of tower cranes when he joined FIELD, Jamie was new to the world of mobile cranes, frannas and other road-based cranes. But with mentoring and support from his leaders, he’s steadily advanced his knowledge.

“I was fortunate to have Jonn Grimmond (our Principal Crane and Rigging Engineer) take me under his wing. He’s quite a good teacher. I’ve been on a massive learning curve this past year and a half, and it’s still going. I really like to learn things while on the job. That’s something I’ve had right from the start when I did my apprenticeship. At FIELD, there is just an absolute reservoir of technical knowledge.”

A tight-knit team that keeps it real

Jamie usually begins his workday at our Brisbane office. He typically does his site visits solo, so he enjoys seeing his colleagues in the morning … and “stirring things up”.

“I am very disruptive,” Jamie admits. “No one’s complained, though. I like talking with the engineers. I especially like to go in when Dave (David Hartigan, our General Manager) is there because he’s good to hang out with. He’s a barrel of laughs – it’s totally unexpected!”

With an office barbecue every Friday afternoon and a great team around him, it’s safe to say that Jamie’s sociable side has well and truly re-emerged. He’s also in a place where he feels respected and supported to live, work and be his best.

“I just like going to work. I like my colleagues. They’ve got a great sense of humour, they’re really nice people, and they’re a diverse group of people. And I have a life again. I’ve dropped my kids off at school five days this week. I was never able to do that before. It’s so easy for me to feel positive now.”