What name are you known by and why (nickname)?

My full name is Joshua D. Cherry. I go by Josh, and I like to joke that the D stands for Danger (I’m quite goofy). It really stands for Duncan.

Tell us about your role and how you became interested in engineering.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in April of 2023 and joined Weir Minerals shortly after that as a production engineer in the rubber pump liner product line. I oversee tooling maintenance, help the quality department, and help the lean manufacturing department improve our manufacturing processes. I also get to design bespoke products per customer order.

As a kid I was always interested in taking things apart and seeing how they work. One day my dad brought home a really old television and we took it apart together. We couldn’t quite get it back together, but ever since, I’ve enjoyed engineering. Working at Weir has helped me understand the manufacturing process and how products are actually made.

What’s the most exciting/innovative project you’ve worked on?

I’ve been able to work on several projects to reduce our rubber cure times, or the time it needs to be compressed in a hydraulic press. One of the ways we’ve been trying is using a rubber extruder to heat up the rubber before it’s placed in a mould to be compressed in the press. By using the extruder, we can reduce the cure time by up to 50%, greatly reducing our energy consumption.

What would you say to other young people who may be considering a career in engineering?

Go for it! Becoming an engineer requires a lot of study and hard work but allows you to make meaningful differences wherever you are. I love being an engineer at Weir because I get to solve different problems every single day.

What makes you feel that you can be yourself and belong at Weir?

Even when I first started at Weir, I never felt like I didn’t fit in. All employees – young and old – have been very kind and helpful to me. I’ve always felt like I can ask questions freely, which has helped me learn and grow as an engineer.

How do you see your future career?

I would like to take what I’ve learnt in rubber manufacturing and apply it to the sustainability side of engineering. Understanding how production and industry operates is imperative to working sustainably, as you can’t make positive change without understanding what you are changing.

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at Weir. Why is it important to you?

I would like to make a positive impact on the world through engineering. I want to make the world a cleaner and healthier place, and sustainability engineering is the most straightforward way to do that.

I am married with a beautiful 1-year old daughter and would like to contribute to a better future for her and the next generation.

What is your greatest achievement/most exciting thing you’ve done outside of work?

I lived in southern Honduras for two years as a missionary. I was able to deeply immerse myself in the culture, learn Spanish, and broaden my horizons.