Member Profile, Zane Gomez

Zane Gomez Civil/Structural Engineer, Department of Transport and Main Roads

While completing an Associate degree in Civil Engineering at TAFE, Zane worked full-time with three engineering consulting firms. He then completed a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with First Class Honours from the Queensland University of Technology and now works in TMR’s Structures Design, Review and Standards team.

What inspired you to study engineering, and civil in particular?

My family and I have been fortunate enough to travel overseas where I have seen some of the most complex civil structures and manmade wonders of the world. As a child, I was in awe of the Burj Khalifa, Taj Mahal, and Autobahn. I still marvel at the engineering behind these constructions today. I was driven by curiosity to understand the mechanisms behind them, which inspired me to undertake STEM in high school and progress to Engineering in my tertiary years.

What was your Honours thesis, and have you had an opportunity to consider it further in the workplace?

My Honours thesis was on the characterisation of 3D printed Auxetic Materials and Composites. My research was specifically focused on the behaviour of 3D Printed Reentrant Chiral Auxetic (RCA) Geometries under In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Loadings. My supervisor, Dr Tatheer Zahra, published a paper on this topic with the help of my research and development of the geometries. Unfortunately, I have not had the opportunity to explore this topic in my career as yet. However, I look forward to the possibility of progressing this research further when I return to university to complete my masters.

Why did you choose the public works sector?

My mother is a vital part of our local community and has emphasised the importance of giving back. As such, I chose the public works sector as I wanted to dedicate myself towards making a difference in the community. I have great pride in seeing my projects serve the public as I was born and raised in Queensland. Likewise, I have achieved personal satisfaction in knowing that my work can help the lives of Queenslanders and visitors of our great state.

What didn’t they tell you at university which you had to quickly learn on the job?

I have learnt to recognise areas of improvement within myself. There is always room to develop knowledge and skills to work more efficiently. I

place significant value in being a life-long learner, whether it be theoretical knowledge, learning new software, or even how to further enhance my soft skills like creative thinking, communication, and leadership.

What projects have you been involved with? Any that you are able to point out to family and friends to impress?

Some of the pinnacle projects that I have worked on in Queensland so far include the Bruce Highway – Caboolture Bribie Island Road Interchange to Steve Irwin Way (C2SIW), the Captain Cook Bridge and Riverside Expressway (REX), the Gateway Arterial Flyover (GAF), the New Parallel Runway (NPR) Construction Tender, Minnippi Golf Course, Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and the St Paul’s Terrace & King St Service Coordination. I take pleasure in sharing my knowledge and personal experiences from working on these projects with my family and friends whenever we pass by.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I am honoured to work with a team that is made up of industry professionals and

researchers. The combined calibre of knowledge and skills is unparalleled. I thrive on the complexity of work I do every day and having a strong team beside me who I can seek advice from is paramount in this early stage of my career.

What ultimately is your dream role – title and location?

I look forward to the career progression that will find me working as the Regional Director of Engineering, Queensland. I know that as I work towards my goal, my appreciation for the multi-faceted discipline of engineering will grow with me. I hope to travel around the world with my job, but I find great personal and job satisfaction in being involved in the expansion and development of my state.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I was honoured to be involved in the civil design of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. I am excited by the opportunities that will become available as the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games near. The Olympic Games are a global event that require a colossal amount of planning and designing in the years prior to ensure that regions can cater to the expansion and I look forward to being involved from commencement to completion. Ten years from now, I see myself having worked towards planning and delivery of key infrastructure projects throughout South East Queensland, in the lead up to the Olympics.

4-5 May, Brisbane