Meet Orla McEntee, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer

As part of World Engineering Day and International Women’s Day, we’re featuring women engineers across our business – sharing what they do, what inspires them, and how giving back strengthens engineering teams.

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 

What’s your role and what kind of engineering work do you focus on?

I am currently part of ABL Scotland‘s engineering team, where I provide marine warranty and engineering support for complex offshore operations.

My role focuses on the technical assurance of offshore activities, including load-outs, transportation, heavy lifting and installation across both renewable energy and oil & gas sectors. This includes reviewing engineering documentation, verifying the suitability of vessels and equipment, and providing onsite verification during critical  operations.

What’s one project or area of your work that you feel really contributes to progress or sustainability?

Scotland’s engineering team has played a significant role towards the decommissioning of several offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea – including L7, one of the region’s largest and oldest gas fields, first developed in the late 1960s.

Supporting safe and efficient decommissioning contributes directly to responsible end-of-life management of offshore assets and reduces the long-term environmental impact.

In parallel, our involvement in projects such as Inch Cape and support towards the Paris project Eolmed Floating Offshore Wind supports the broader energy transition. These projects expand offshore renewable capacity, contributing to the sustainable energy production and long-term carbon reduction goals.

What do you enjoy most about being an engineer in our industry?

Being an engineer in this industry allows for a balance of technical problem solving and real-world offshore exposure.

The industry offers a unique combination of engineering challenges, operational learning and collaboration between multiple disciplines in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Being able to contribute towards engineering decisions offshore is both motivating and rewarding.

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IWD 2026 – #Give to Gain

Looking back, what support, knowledge or opportunity made the biggest difference in your career so far?

Going offshore and attending operations firsthand has been one of the most influential experiences in my development as an engineer. It pushed me to think far more practically, understand real operational constraints, and propose solutions that genuinely work for the teams executing them.

Seeing the realities of offshore work – the environment, logistics and decision making under pressure – has given me a deeper appreciation of the operational context and has changed how I approach engineering challenges today.

Was there a mentor, colleague or team who helped you grow – and how did that support show up?

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with many supportive colleagues throughout my studies and career. Their support has often appeared in small but impactful ways, such as answering questions without judgement, involving me in complex discussions, or trusting me to take the lead on challenging tasks to help build my confidence and capability.

I’ve also had colleagues who have encouraged and pushed me past my comfort zone. The culture of openness and shared learning in the workplace has been incredibly important towards my growth as an engineer. 

How do you try to give back – whether through mentoring, sharing knowledge, or supporting others?

I have always tried to give back by supporting others the way I was supported. This includes tutoring students whilst I was studying, speaking at university events and taking part in career fairs to share insights about the industry I currently work in. 

Within the engineering team, a big part of how we give back is through sharing lessons learnt from previous projects – whether it’s a LOFO (load-out/float-off), heavy lifting, or any complex marine operations – so others can anticipate potential challenges and benefit from our past experiences.

What advice would you give to women considering a career in engineering today?

Engineering thrives on diverse thinking. Ask questions, be curious and don’t hesitate to step into environments that feel unfamiliar – those are often the moments where you’ll grow the most.

Build a support network and surround yourself with people who encourage your development. Importantly, many of the women I’ve met throughout my offshore career have been in senior or highly specialised roles. Their presence is a reminder that there is plenty of space for women to progress and thrive in this industry.