Brik Padfield

With a strong foundation in Mechanical Engineering and expertise in parachutes, I bring a unique blend of analytical problem-solving, technical precision, and investigative skills. My combined experience in parachute rigging and Engineering Health and Safety has developed my ability analyse complex critical system, manage confounding factors, and work with customers to find and create the most suitable and valuable solutions. Additionally, my involvement with governing bodies such as British Skydiving where I serve as an ambassador and a member of the IDE board, and the Health & Safety Executive working as an Incident Investigator and Research Scientist has given me valuable experience in regulatory oversight, reporting, and collaboration with national and international organisations.

Transitioning from hands-on skydiving operations to an engineering-focused investigative role, I've enjoyed applying my engineering knowledge to real-world problem-solving in industrial Health and Safety. My work within the sport, from instructing to equipment maintenance, has required a structured approach to documentation, ensuring clarity and accuracy – skills which have proven invaluable for producing incident reports and expert witness statements.

Incident Investigator (Mechanical Engineering) - Health & Safety Executive

(2025-01)

• Support Local Authorities and Specialist Investigators with fatal incident investigations, handling evidence, and providing expert consultation.
• Preparing evidence and testimony to be presented at coroner's court.
• Conducting bespoke Health and Safety Engineering research into Structural Engineering, Data Analysis, Mechanical Engineering, and Aeronautical Engineering.
• Creating bids for commercial work.
• Represent colleagues to senior leadership as sitting member of People Matters Forum.
• Present to capability group and wider organisation on issues from assessing human factors in risk management to neurodivergence in the workplace.

Parachute Packer and Professional Skydiver - Independent Contractor

(2019-01 - 2025-01)

• Conducting parachute inspections, servicing, and repairs in compliance with manufacturer and British Skydiving safety standards.
• Packing parachutes for skydiving operations, including specialised harnesses and deployment systems.
• Instructing on parachute packing courses.
• Coaching advanced freefall disciplines.
• Operating free-fall camera systems as a videographer for tandem skydives.

Software Engineer - Digital Applications International

(2021-01 - 2023-01)

• Developed and integrated C-based code for large-scale warehouse management systems.
• Conducted hiring interviews and assisted in training new graduate engineers.
• Translated customer and internal requests into software modifications and conducted peer code reviews.

Manufacturing Engineer - Perkins Engines

(2018-01 - 2019-01)

• Assisted in optimising assembly-line production processes in collaboration with accredited Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineers.
• Automated the existing reporting systems for management.

Manufacturing Engineer - Caterpillar - Peterborough

(2016-01 - 2021-01)

Industrial placement at Caterpillar, Peterborough, as an undergraduate Manufacturing Engineer.

Parachute Rigger and Skydiving Coaching Training - Parachute Rigging and Skydiving Coaching - British Skydiving (2020-01 - 2023-01)

MEng Mechanical Engineering (Integrated) with Industrial Placement - Mechanical Engineering - University of Leeds, School of Mechanical Engineering (2016-01 - 2021-01)

A Level - Maths, Physics, and Chemistry - Notre Dame High, Sheffield (2008-01 - 2015-01)