Q&A with EIC Activities General Manager Julie Martin – Supporting CIMIC Group companies with engineering excellence

Renewable energy has become a major focus for CIMIC Group. Here, EIC Activities General Manager Julie Martin discusses how the company has been supporting our Group in this sector, the competitive advantages EIC brings to the Group, and her priorities for the year.

Q. Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of EIC Activities. How has the company evolved over the years and what is the current focus of the business?

JM. From the start, the core purpose of EIC Activities was to add value to the work of CIMIC Group companies with our engineering and technical services.

This core purpose has not changed. How we achieve this has matured over the years as we've responded to industry trends and the needs of the Operating Companies we serve.

In addition to providing technical advice and engineering support, we now focus on being able to deliver full design services for complex and critical packages, as well as contributing to the development of CIMIC Group’s integrated digital delivery capability.

Q. It is rare for companies in our industry to have a dedicated inhouse engineering and technical services business. What competitive advantage does EIC Activities provide the Group in tendering and in delivery?

JM. Because we are part of CIMIC Group, we collaborate closely with the operating company teams both at tender and during project delivery. By offering the services of our expert engineers, we help the tender teams to present more competitive and feasible project solutions.

We engage in the early stages of project planning, using our specialised knowledge to streamline designs, reduce material costs, and shorten construction timelines. This approach enhances the project's profitability, strengthens our Group's reputation for efficiency and innovation, and retains knowledge within CIMIC.

Q. As General Manager, you are currently leading the geotechnical, civil, mechanical and electrical teams at EIC Activities. What are your top three priorities for this year?

JM. Firstly, to ensure we continue to have industry-leading technical capability that serves as the Group’s centre of engineering excellence, delivering value through risk mitigation, optimisation and design services.

Secondly, to develop advanced design techniques (for example, utilising parametric modelling and AI) to enhance efficiency and solution optimisation.

Thirdly, to enhance our capability in industry sectors associated with the energy transition and high-tech buildings like data centres.

Q. Through ACS Group's global engineering network you're able to connect and collaborate with engineers across all of the Group's operating companies. What are your thoughts on this and what have been some of the early wins from this collaboration?

JM. This is exciting! To lean on the expertise available across the Group can enable us to respond to complex client requirements and accelerate the development of innovative solutions.

Within this network, we are able to learn from expert teams from across the wider ACS and HOCHTIEF Group, to assist us in advanced technology, energy transition, and large-scale construction projects.

And with our expertise, EIC Activities is well positioned to be leading centres of excellence, providing unique opportunities for our staff.

Q. Renewable energy has become a major focus for our Group. How has EIC Activities been supporting the other opcos in this sector?

JM. The energy transition is creating many opportunities for CIMIC Group. EIC Activities has focused our support predominantly in the civil engineering aspects of renewable energy projects.

Partnering with CPB Contractors' Renewable Systems Team (RST), EIC Activities is delivering optimised access track and pad designs, drainage, and pavements designs. We are also developing the structural solutions for wind farm foundations, including parametric modelling to improve efficiency in design delivery.

EIC Activities' geotechnical team also provides the full suite of geotechnical services to support these projects.

Q. How is the engineering field changing? What advice would you give to graduates and undergraduates to help them build their career?

JM. Nowadays, the adoption of digital technology and the pace of change is unprecedented.

In particular, the recent advent of GenAI is already reshaping the engineering profession. Clearly, part of all graduates’ ‘tool kits’ will be the ability to use digital tools and adapt to AI technologies.

However, engineers’ fundamental capabilities and skills, and the ability to think critically and solve complex problems, cannot be replaced by AI. Ensuring these fundamentals are in place will always be a priority and stand them in good stead to embrace these tools the right way and meaningfully contribute to the profession.

About Julie Martin, General Manager, EIC Activities BE (Hons), MIEAust, CPEng NER GAICD

Julie Martin has more than 28 years' experience as an electrical engineer, having played a key role in a variety of large-scale infrastructure projects within Australia and internationally. She is currently the General Manager – Ground Engineering, Civil, Mechanical & Electrical at EIC Activities, the CIMIC Group’s engineering and technical services business.

Prior to joining EIC Activities, Julie held the position of Power Site Manager with CPB Contractors (formerly Thiess), responsible for the delivery of QGC’s Surat North Project high voltage infrastructure.

In her role as HV Power Manager at Thiess, Julie was responsible for the delivery of the high voltage traction substations to support the supply of the new Moreton Bay Rail Link and was recognised with the Queensland NAWIC 2016 Award for Achievement in Construction (General Building).

Julie’s extensive experience also includes key design, project engineering, management and commissioning roles on infrastructure projects in Australia and internationally, including Epping to Chatswood Rail link in Sydney, TrackStar Alliance (Qld), Perth’s Metro rail, Delhi Metro in India and Brisbane’s Airport Link Tunnel.

In 2008, Julie won the Women in Community/Public Sector - Engineering category of the Smart Women - Smart State Awards for her work in the TrackStar Alliance program in South East Queensland.

Julie served as a Non-Executive Director on the Powerlink Board from September 2011 to September 2020 and was formerly Chair of the Powerlink Board’s People, Culture and Remuneration Committee.