Chris Down

As a joint-founder of OpenWorks Engineering my job is to work with my fellow directors to set the course of this exciting new start-up. My passion for engineering will ensure that the company's focus is always on delivering quality, technical solutions for our clients.

I was the lead engineer on all of Pearson Engineering's military bridging programmes. I designed and built a range of bridge deployment mechanisms and bridges and carried out the vehicle integration work both in the UK and in the US. I also designed and wrote software for the precision control of micro electro-mechanical systems. The software included embedded computer vision and video streaming. I was Pearson Engineering's subject matter expert for Electro Hydraulic Control Systems.

Abtus Ltd operates in the rail industry and designs and develops equipment for surveying rail track geometry. I was recruited by Abtus to fill the position of Design Manager. I was responsible for a small engineering department that developed new products and kept current ones up to date. While in this position I was on the Working Group 28 committee that set CEN standards for the measurement and maintenance of track geometry across the European Union. Specifically, I helped write the EN13848 standard. In addition to my engineering design duties, I took on the responsibility for writing an ERP software system called proTracker. This involved me in every aspect of running/managing the company and I was subsequently promoted to the position of Operations Director. As Operations Director, I ran the design, manufacture, service and administration departments.

Prior to its takeover by Fank's International, Pilot Drilling Control (PDC) designed and manufactured drilling equipment for the oil and gas industry. PDC's area of expertise was in down-hole equipment specific to steered/directional drilling.