Profile

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Matt Coates

Curriculum Vitae

  • Education:

    Swanmore College of Technology, Peter Symonds College, Loughborough University

  • Qualifications:

    GCSEs, A-Levels (Maths, Physics, PE), Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering

  • Work History:

    Corus Colors, Uniper (Formally EON)

  • Current Job:

    Integrity Engineer & Materials Team Leader at Uniper

  • Employer:

    Uniper

  • About Me

    Hi I'm Matt, I'm an engineer working in the power industry

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    I live in Nottingham with my wife and newborn son. When I’m not working I enjoy all kinds of sports, particularly competitive road and track cycling.

    I love to travel and achieved my goal of visiting 30 countries before I was 30… now easily making my way towards 40 well before 40!

  • My Work

    I help to design and improve coal and gas power stations

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    I work to design new components, improve performance and save money for power stations in the UK, Europe and worldwide.

    I also manage a team of materials engineers who complete investigations on why things fail from power stations.

  • My Typical Day: Typical day can either be working at a computer doing design work, sums and looking at data. Or it can be out on site inspecting power stations.

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    Typical office day: looking at data and presenting what I have found out. Using maths to work out designs for new parts. Use computer programmes to design pipe systems. Speaking with customers to solve their problems. Managing a team of engineers.

    Typical site day: crawling around inside of a power station with my hard hat and overalls on looking for things that have broken and working out why. I consistently work at power stations in the UK, Europe and the Middle East

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      Friendly. Smiley. Energetic.

      What's the best thing you've done in your career?

      Climb to the top of a wind turbine and look down off the back

      What or who inspired you to follow your career?

      I love to find out how things work (and why they break!)

      What was your favourite subject at school?

      PE

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      Engineer

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      For talking too much in class

      If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

      Sports commentator

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      The Killers

      What's your favourite food?

      Hot cross buns

      What is the most fun thing you've done?

      Volunteered at the 2019 Cricket World Cup

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      1) Fluent in every foreign language, 2) Able to play any song on any instrument just from hearing it, 3) Have more time for travelling

      Tell us a joke.

      A Roman walks into a bar, holds up his index and middle finger in a V shape and says "5 beers please"

Questions answered by Matt

View all Matt's answered questions