Royal Aeronautical Society Prestwick Branch, Clyde Aerospace Early Careers Network

Cross-sector panel event

Evolution of an Engineer: A Cross-Sector Panel on Aerospace Careers

Tuesday 27 October 2026 · 18:00–21:00 GMT

EEE-Montrose Room RCB2.15, Royal College Building, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

Booking closed (SOLD OUT)Event galleryEvent Schedule
Live updateEvent is going ahead as scheduled. There are no changes to the planned schedule. The Met Office currently shows no weather warnings in force for Glasgow. Last updated:

A Met Office yellow warning for high winds covering the whole of Scotland and Glasgow has been cut short.

Forecasters are now predicting the bad weather to end at 6pm - three hours earlier than expected. Weather and transport conditions can still change, so please check your route and return journey before setting off. Your safety comes first.

Check the Met Office weather warnings and ScotRail live service updates before travelling.

Previous updates

Yellow wind warning in place

A Met Office yellow warning for wind was in place for Glasgow on Tuesday 27 October, 03:00–21:00. Attendees were advised to check conditions along their route and return journey.

Evolution of an Engineer panel poster with the four panellists, moderator, date, time and venue
Evolution of an Engineer · Tuesday 27 October 2026 · Glasgow

Event overview

What does it really mean to become an engineer?

Evolution of an Engineer is an engaging panel event bringing together speakers from across the aerospace industry, including academics, engineers and recruitment professionals.

The panel will explore how an engineer’s career evolves from university and early career into professional practice and beyond. Our speakers will share their experiences of entering the aerospace industry, developing technical and professional skills, navigating career opportunities and adapting to the changing demands of engineering.

With perspectives spanning academia, industry and recruitment, the discussion will provide students and early-career engineers with an insight into what employers look for, how careers can develop, and the different routes available within the aerospace sector.

Whether you are still studying, preparing to enter the industry, or in the early stages of your engineering career, this event will offer practical advice, personal experiences and an opportunity to ask questions directly to professionals working across the field.

Panellists

Moderator: Beth Probert · Chair, RAeS Clyde Aerospace Early Careers Network

Gordon McConnell

Gordon McConnell

Founder, Arran Aeronautics Ltd · Former Chief Engineer, Airbus A350 · President, RAeS Prestwick Branch

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Gordon was born in Ayr and studied Mechanical Engineering at Paisley College of Technology, now UWS. He joined Scottish Aviation in 1975 as a Stress Engineer and worked on the Bulldog, Jetstream and BAe 146 programmes. From 1988 he was Chief Engineer on the Jetstream 41 programme and subsequently Technical Director, BAe Systems Regional Aircraft. He joined Airbus in 1997 in Toulouse as Chief Engineer for the A340-500/-600. After three years in Filton, he returned to Toulouse in 2007 as Chief Engineer on the A350. Upon retiring from Airbus in 2014, Gordon founded Arran Aeronautics Ltd and was awarded the RAeS Gold Medal.

Kareema Hilton

Kareema Hilton

Machining Applications Theme Lead · National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS)

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Kareema leads research and industry-facing projects focused on advanced manufacturing, machining innovation and SME engagement at NMIS. Her work supports new knowledge and technology adoption across industry. Previously, she was a Project Engineer at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, working with aerospace manufacturers to improve processes and reduce costs. She holds degrees in Astrophysics from the University of St Andrews and Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, and is a Chartered Engineer and STEM Ambassador.

Dr Murray Ireland

Dr Murray Ireland

Senior Research Fellow · Applied Space Technology Lab, University of Strathclyde

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Murray is responsible for developing system-in-loop simulation infrastructure to support next-generation space technologies in the UK and with trusted partners. He works across academia, industry and government on strategic and technical aspects of the project. Before joining Strathclyde in 2025, he spent eight years at Craft Prospect Ltd, latterly as Head of Engineering. His research interests include planetary rovers, spacecraft proximity operations and guidance, navigation and control of autonomous systems.

Billy McDougall

Billy McDougall

Co-Founder & Director · Volantes Technical Recruitment

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Billy is Co-Founder and Director of Volantes Technical Recruitment, a Glasgow-founded aviation engineering recruitment firm with offices in Bournemouth, Dubai and Paisley. With more than 15 years of experience recruiting for airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations and helicopter operators, particularly in the rotary and offshore sectors, he offers a hiring-side view of how engineering careers develop.

Venue and getting there

EEE-Montrose Room RCB2.15, Royal College Building, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1XW. The adjacent EEE-Killearn Room RCB213 is also reserved for the event.

Find the Royal College Building on an interactive Google Map.

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Open directions · Open in Google Maps

Entrances and accessibility

For this evening event, we’ll be using the Montrose Street entrance because the George Street main entrance will be closed. Please follow the event signs to RCB2.15. The Montrose Street approach includes a slope and steps. If you need step-free access, please contact us before travelling so we can arrange the required access.

Royal College Building access guide · University campus map

Parking Information

Nearby public options include NCP Glasgow George Street at 68 Montrose Street and Duke Street Car Park. On-street pay-and-display parking may also be available. Check current prices, spaces and Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone rules before travelling.

University parking guidance and nearby car parks · Scottish Low Emission Zones · On-street parking information

Montrose Street approach to the Royal College Building, with a yellow arrow pointing to the entrance on the left.
Montrose Street entrance, marked with a yellow arrow. Image: Google Street View.

By public transport

High Street station is about a 4-minute walk and Glasgow Queen Street about a 7-minute walk from the campus. Buchanan Street Underground is about an 8-minute walk.

Subway

Buchanan Street is the nearest Subway station. Walk towards George Square, then east along George Street.

SPT Subway stations and map

Train

High Street and Glasgow Queen Street stations are both within walking distance of the building.

ScotRail journey planner · High Street station

Bus

Buchanan Bus Station

Buchanan Bus Station and city-centre stops are within walking distance. Check your route and evening departure times before travelling.

Buchanan Bus Station · Traveline Scotland
Travel icon credits

Accessibility symbol by Dave Braunschweig and ScotRail image by Scotland Transport/ScotRail, both used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Parking icon, Glasgow Subway symbol, and public transport icon by Daniel Capilla are public-domain or CC0 works on Wikimedia Commons. Operator names and marks identify travel services and do not imply endorsement.