Product Design Engineer, Cameron
Houston, Texas
2006 New Faces of Engineering Nominee Finalist

My name is Kenneth Flakes, a graduate of the University of Houston at University Park. I earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering, December 2002. I currently work as a product design engineer at Cameron in Houston, Texas. I am responsible for project planning, the timely delivery of engineering activities, failure analysis or investigation, design safety, investigations, and technical interface with customers. This would also include developing product designs as well as the required design documents; determining the material and technical requirements for each product and prepare, direct, check, or approve the preparation of design drawings and specifications. 

I also perform and document the necessary functional testing to develop the designs. I assist in the coordination of quality matters and define and specify quality requirements and the review and approval of the disposition of non-conforming items, which cannot be reworked to specification requirements.

My Day-to-Day life as an Engineer

I have a lot of fun in my work environment; my colleagues are great. I think this is because most of the engineers that I work with are mechanical engineers; I guess we all have the same temperament. I work in a cubicle work environment and often work within teams. Cubicles have some drawbacks but I try to look at the positives.  T

The teams that I have been involved with typically include engineers, draftsmen, and designers. There is usually a mixture of youth and experience in the group design review, which are held before and during a project.  I was recently part of a team for an Exxon Mobil High Awareness Project (HAP).  During the project, the lead test engineer was assigned to lead a separate project so I assumed his role. 

I work on a lot of projects both small and large; I could work on a sales order that takes a couple of days, or conduct a large test that takes half a year.  I also have a Six-Sigma project that I work on.  I am a member of a special committee for which I have periodic meetings.

One of the perks of my job is the opportunity to travel. I spent six months in Leeds, England last year working on a subsea project.  I also lived in Louisiana for 6 months when I was in the Cameron training program.  There may be an opportunity for me to go offshore to oversee the installation of some metal seals for the customer testing that I have performed in the past.

One of the more frustrating things about my job is that there is so much standardization. Standardization is quite important in the petroleum industry. The technology in my industry has been around for many years so much of the equipment is of standard design.  As a result, standardization often times stifles creativity.  My work is still challenging because customer requirements always change which usually affects the overall design of the equipment.

Staying Current within my Industry

I build my technical-knowledge base by remaining active in professional organizations. I am affiliated with ASME and NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers). I am quite active in the Houston Alumni Extension of the NSBE.  The NSBE chapter has a lot of younger engineers who have the same interests as I do.  We often get together and socialize, network, and conduct community service.

As a member of the ASME, I participate in the International Petroleum Technology Institute (IPTI) and take advantage of the great opportunities to network. Members of IPTI typically are engineers involved in the petroleum industry. I also network at the NSBE conventions and conferences.

I attend the Offshore Technology Conference each year in Houston.  I look forward to this event because it is the best opportunity to stay current in my field.  I also keep current within my industry by remaining active with ASME, particularly the IPTI Division. I have been a member of the IPTI since my junior year of college.  I strongly believe that networking allows you to keep current within the industry and professional societies offer excellent networking opportunities. 

My Personal Connection to Engineering

I have a passion for design so my current role at Cameron is more than just a job. Through my testing and engineering design, I contribute to a better product that will ultimately make it easier to produce oil in tougher, more challenging environments. Thus, lowering the cost of gas, which definitely affects the consumers of gas.

I have not quite found my niche within engineering as I have a lot of different talents. I am still trying to figure out how I can incorporate them.  Once I do, watch out because I will become a household name. I do not know when but I will, so I remain patient. My volunteering career includes tutoring middle and high school students at the Houston Area Urban League; raising scholarship money for deserving high school seniors and college students; speaking at Career Days sponsored by the Gulf Coast Alliance for Minorities in Engineering.  Last year, I chaired a Christmas party for underprivileged youth.

How I got to where I am today

I had to work for everything. I came from a home where my parents worked five jobs between them when I was in school. That motivated me to do well so that I won’t have to struggle like they did.  I grew up in a neighborhood where it appeared that all the odds were against me, yet I was able to graduate high school as valedictorian and homecoming king.  My parents could not afford school but my hard work in high school afforded me scholarships to pay for all of college. 

Everyone in my study group received internships my first three summers, while I did not receive any. I kept my head up and used that as motivation to obtain internships my last three summers.  I don’t really consider myself to be incredibly smart but my past experiences taught me the value of diligence, patience, and dedication. If you maintain these three things you will realize your goals.

I first got started in the petroleum industry when I interned two summers at BP. Houston is essentially the energy capital of the world. It is difficult to be an engineer in Houston and not work in the petroleum industry somehow.  After my first summer, I knew that I wanted to work in the petroleum industry.

During my second internship with BP, I worked with Cameron on a project. One day I asked the Cameron engineer if they were looking for interns for the following year. I really was not trying to leave BP. I only wanted to be able to inform my fellow classmates of potential opportunities.  The next summer, I worked for Williams (a gas pipeline company).  The next year, I interviewed with Cameron and I have been with them for three years.  It’s ironic because the Cameron engineer that I worked with at BP was involved in the interview process at Cameron.

My first interview with Cameron was on campus at the University of Houston. The interview went well so I had a fairly good idea that I would get a second interview.  I was awarded a second interview and received an invitation for dinner. This was interesting because the Cameron hosts ordered wine with their meal. I did not think it would be proper to order wine so I declined. The best part of the meal was sitting next to one of the three individuals that would interview me the next day. Since we talked at dinner, his interview was a breeze.

My first job assignment at Cameron was to work at the test lab and assist with a test on a subsea product. I had not been with the company long and I was sent to the lab to help out. I had gone through the lab safety training but this was my first real chance to work in the lab. I was expected to know how to work the overhead crane and drive the forklifts. I did not even know how to build a simple manifold. I was doing my best not to break anything!

Outside Engineering

I have a lot of hobbies and I am really competitive. I am a sports junky. I love to play basketball; I played 5 years of intramural basketball.  My favorite time of year is March because I love college basketball. I play touch football with my colleagues after work. You can always find me in the gym working out too.  I have a goal of becoming a respectable recreational golfer. I love to play video games, especially sports and action adventure games.  I enjoy reading; I have an interest in classical literature but I read just about anything. In the near future, I intend to obtain an MBA. Finally, I try to spend time with family and friends.

It is rather difficult trying to do all of the things I mentioned above. I try to schedule activities and have a set routine, yet be flexible. Oftentimes, things do not go according to schedule so I learned to apapt quickly to change, especially in engineering.