Q&A with LCM’s Senior Process Engineer

Meet Nik Tankov, LCM's Senior Process Engineer.

How did you get into your field of work?

After studying Aerospace Engineering for my undergraduate and master's degree, I realised that I particularly enjoyed engineering design and materials science – specifically alloys and metallic materials.

This led me to undertake a Ph.D. in Metallurgy and following this, a job in a company like LCM where we develop and manufacture alloys and metals. ?

What are your main responsibilities at LCM?

I am a part of LCM’s Technical Department, and I am responsible for various projects and manufacturing processes.

These can be projects funded by the UK Government or the EU, where we join forces with the likes of universities, research institutes, consultancies, and other engineering companies. We each bring our expertise to the table in order to achieve a novel goal.

As a Senior Process Engineer, I also manage internal development projects for new processes and products. In addition, I overlook the conditions of alloy castings and the resulting product to make sure they conform to the customer's specifications.

Why is your job important to this industry?

At LCM we are currently developing novel processes for producing the highly sought after metals and alloys which are critical for the technologies that will usher us into a 'greener' future. These materials play a key part in wind turbines, solar panels, batteries for EVs, and energy storage, and are irreplaceable for successful decarbonisation.

The UK Government and those of our allies have realised the importance of these critical metals and LCM is at the forefront of developing technologies that will ensure availability and affordability for the current and future market.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Trying to meet deadlines, budgets, and the myriad of unforeseen problems that are associated with novel processes, can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, I am not alone, and can often ask for help and advice from my fellow colleagues.

What is the most enjoyable?

The multidisciplinary nature of the projects and the wide range of people I get to interact with. As part of our projects I communicate with researchers, external engineers, consultants, business, and media, attending conferences and meetings both locally and internationally, all of this helps keep a fresh and sharp perspective on the work we do.

I also enjoy my workplace as I get to interact with all levels of employees, which fortifies morale and creates a sense of belonging and contributing to a team.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to follow a similar career path?

Going through university and obtaining a research degree definitely helped with acquiring the right perspective for metallurgy. But most importantly I learned to deal with unforeseen circumstances, creative problem solving, learning new skills, and critical thinking when it comes to dissecting information.

My final advice would be: Do not worry about establishing the right network straight away, seize every opportunity to learn and keep learning, and work on personal development and the soft skills necessary which will prove invaluable later on.

If you could instantly learn a new talent, what would it be?

Creative writing and design. I am good at solving problems, and notoriously bad at coming up with great ideas for marketing, logos, writing, promoting etc.

What do you do outside work to unwind?

If I could go swimming and diving every day I would do just that!

I often like to meet friends in the city centre and enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle that Liverpool can offer. Otherwise, nothing beats cozying up at home with a great movie or a nice video game to enjoy a relaxing evening or a lazy weekend!