Kicking goals in engineering

Flight Lieutenant Shiva Tejwani has been named the Engineering and Technical Function Professional Engineer of the Year and received a gold commendation at the recent EngTech 23 conference in Canberra.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Shiva Tejwani is presented with a Gold Defence Commendation for Technical Member of the Year by First Assistant Secretary Major Surface Combatants & Combat Systems Sheryl Lutz at the EngTech 23 Conference at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Story by Private Nicholas Marquis.

Recognised for his improvements in safety and capability for the C-17A Globemaster and KC-30A Multi Role Taker Transport platforms, Flight Lieutenant Tejwani was honoured to receive the award.

“I’ve always been the kind of person that likes to be the grey man and sink into the background to just find issues that we need to fix,” Flight Lieutenant Tejwani said.

“I knew I was kicking quite a few goals over the last year and cleaning up a few things, but this was a nice surprise to round it all out.”

By developing instructional training packages to improve the KC-30A air-to-air receiver clearance program, Flight Lieutenant Tejwani improved ADF capability.

He was also credited with leveraging regulations nationally and internationally in the development of the C-17A safety program and hazard log.

Flight Lieutenant Tejwani’s family immigrated from India when he was 15.

Working as an electrical engineer until 2013, he wanted a job that wasn’t just driven by maximising profit each month.

He then joined Air Force seven years ago.

His work has changed from power stations to aircraft management but said a similar level of knowledge is required.

“I wanted to give back to the community that accepted us into the country,” Flight Lieutenant Tejwani said.

“I was interested in something not purely driven by numbers but also what’s going to help people.”

During his seven-year career, Flight Lieutenant Tejwani said being posted to 35 Squadron was a highlight.

“It was being on the sharp end of the stick, trying to balance the aircraft being up in the morning verses all the faults,” Flight Lieutenant Tejwani said.

He’s currently posted to the Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office where, unbeknownst to him, every member of his team contributed to the award nomination.

Ahead of posting into a recruiting role next year, Flight Lieutenant Tejwani said he wants to leave the office in a position where the next person can be a custodian rather than fix problems.

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