Meet Stephen McCollam, who joined John Zink in 2013 after earning his master’s degree. Inspired by passionate instructors in a college class, he knew he wanted to be part of John Zink’s team. As a senior process engineer in the process heating group, Stephen focuses on equipment design, technical reviews, and training global teams. He finds the most rewarding part of his job is solving customer problems and seeing those solutions come to life.
When did you join John Zink?
I joined John Zink in 2013 straight out of college. My master’s degree research topic was oxygen-enriched combustion of biodiesel fuels. As part of my coursework, I had the opportunity to take a class entitled “Applied Combustion” that was taught by John Zink engineers from the various product groups. These instructors were animated, excited, and knowledgeable. This led me to apply to John Zink as I wanted to be part of that team.
When did you join John Zink?
I joined John Zink in 2013 straight out of college. My master’s degree research topic was oxygen-enriched combustion of biodiesel fuels. As part of my coursework, I had the opportunity to take a class entitled “Applied Combustion” that was taught by John Zink engineers from the various product groups. These instructors were animated, excited, and knowledgeable. This led me to apply to John Zink as I wanted to be part of that team.
Can you share what a typical day looks like for you as a senior process engineer?
I am a senior process engineer in the process heating group. A typical day involves reviewing the technical portions of equipment quotations, process design of equipment, training and supporting members of the global burner team, developing and revising mechanical standards, and participating in equipment start-ups and troubleshooting.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is finding a solution to a customer’s problem and seeing it successfully implemented in real life.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is finding a solution to a customer’s problem and seeing it successfully implemented in real life.”
– Stephen McCollam, Sr. Process Engineer
Can you describe an impactful project you’ve worked on that highlights John Zink’s commitment to advancing technology and environmental stewardship? What was your role in it?
I joined the development of the SOLEX™ burner in its late stages as the engineering support for finalization and commercialization. The SOLEX burner is the newest and lowest NOx emission process burner that John Zink offers. It is a step change in the emissions performance. This was enjoyable work as this burner operates fundamentally different from our other offerings. I personally developed the calculations required for controlling the burner and have personally supervised the startup of the first installations. This greatly extended my knowledge of plant operations, P&IDs, and controls.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at John Zink? What should they expect and prepare for?
I recommend being open and willing to hear the opinions and suggestions of others as well as being a lifelong learner. As I have progressed in my career, the most fundamental thing that I have come to understand is that the more I learn, the more I realize I have much more to learn.
Just for fun, can you share the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and the story behind it?
I have had the recent opportunity to travel to South Korea for business. Among the many interesting meals that I ate there was one called “steamed shell”. There were many variants of this dish, but the one that was the most memorable included various shellfish that were still moving as you cooked them in a pan at your table. Once cooked…it was delicious.
What is a personal passion or hobby that you’ve been able to incorporate into your work?
A personal passion of mine is traveling and exploring new places, and I’ve been fortunate to incorporate this into my work at John Zink. Visiting customers around the world allows me to see unique locations and experience different cultures, which not only enriches my personal life but also helps me build stronger relationships with clients and bring fresh perspectives to the work we do.
Let’s end with something fun – what’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had, and where was it?
The most memorable meal I’ve ever had was at Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Eiffel Tower. Not only was the food divine (one entire course was cheese and bread), but we also had the most breathtaking view of Paris from high inside the tower!
