Profile

Mr Daniel Stephenson

Construction Manager for Visionstream

Course of study:
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering 2005

What are some of your career highlights?

I worked on the M80 Ring Rd Upgrade project delivering design and construction of the overhead electronic Lane Use Management System signs and Variable Message Signs. I learnt about construction management, scheduling works, communicating between technical and non-technical teams and got involved with on-site fibre cabling and splicing. My projects involve a variety of disciplines from structural works using heavy machinery (large mobile cranes etc.) as well as construction of electronic systems such as real-world industrial-grade fibre optic communication systems. I enjoy seeing the real world application of technology that I have installed being used by thousands of motorists every day on the Western Ring Rd. I travelled to New Zealand to work on a tunnel re-development project. This was a great opportunity to learn about and appreciate other disciplines such as civil and structural engineering and construction. I also lived in Hobart for six months to deliver the electronic signage and fibre optic network along the Tasman Highway from the airport to the city. This was the first deployment of coordinated Intelligent Transport Systems in Tasmania.

Tell us a little about your work history

I currently work as a construction Manager for Visionstream where I work on the M80 Ring Rd ITS Project, Melbourne Victoria. I manage construction electronic signage, communication network and some civil and structural aspects along the M80 Ring Rd. I started out in my career as an engineer working for VicRoads on the Monash CityLink West Gate Upgrade Project. After that I have continued to work on many road technology projects. I was the Project Manager for design and construction of electronic signage and communication network along the Tasman Highway in Hobart, and on the Dilston Bypass. I performed the role of ITS Design Lead for the Tunnel and Motorway ITS for NZTA’s Terrace Tunnel Upgrade Project in Wellington NZ where I managed design and construction of the electronic safety systems associated with the Terrace Tunnel. I was an AUTO CRC Research Assistant for Holden through LaTrobe University where I worked on voice recognition system development and assisted with the in-vehicle integration of an FPGA-based voice recognition platform developed jointly by QUT and LaTrobe University.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Designing systems, on-site field work, organising construction and seeing it happen. Learning about and getting involved in design and construction of civil and structural systems and driving design and construction of these to incorporate and cater for electrical, electronic and communication systems. I enjoy seeing the real world application of my projects in the community, and my contribution to reducing congestion and improving safety to Melbourne's travelling public.

Besides your career, where has life taken you since graduation?

I am an avid home brewer! I’m currently looking at ways I can apply the skills learned at La Trobe University to develop an electronic temperature control system for my fermentation tank. I have a few projects in the pipeline. I married in 2012 and my wife's family is spread all over the globe, which gives us great incentive and opportunities to travel all over the world.

What advice can you offer to current students?

Work within a technical field whilst you study; even if it's not directly related to electronics or technical aspects of engineering. You can learn a lot about business and other related technical and non-technical fields (such as contracts, negotiation etc.) out in the real world. This kind of experience is invaluable. Always seek to understand complex systems from first principals. Don't take things on face value & don't intrinsically trust academic authority on the basis of convention. Question everything. Don't attempt to learn anything by rote – understand it fully. The satisfaction you gain from truly understanding something is wonderful and often shines light on other seemingly unrelated phenomena. The best way to test your knowledge on a particular subject is to teach someone else about it. Don't over-complicate things and keep it simple – "perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

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