Dr. Janet O'Brien-O'Reilly

Dr. Janet O'Brien-O'Reilly has a diverse work experience spanning several industries. Dr. Janet is currently the Head of Consortiums and Partnerships at Spirit AeroSystems, where they lead the Consortium and Partnerships Team for Spirit Europe and aligns strategy with the Global Spirit Team. Their responsibilities include external research and contacts for Catapult Centres and Universities, as well as serving as a Technical Board and Steering Board Member for Spirit for AFRC/NMIS, NCC, and AMRC.

Prior to their current role, Dr. O'Brien-O'Reilly worked as a Principal Composite Development Engineer at Spirit AeroSystems, focusing on R&D in aerospace. Dr. Janet was involved in projects related to Wing of Tomorrow, Fixed Leading Edge, Technology Elements, TRL development, and Wing of Tomorrow, Resin Infused Lower Wing Cover.

Before joining Spirit AeroSystems, Dr. O'Brien-O'Reilly worked at NSG Pilkington as a Senior Technologist and Head of Process - Offline Coatings. In this role, they led a team and was responsible for design, installation oversight, training, and technical sign-off of a Large Scale Offline coating line worth €40 million in the UK. Dr. Janet also conducted research into new and collaborative technologies with external companies and provided technical support at operational plants when coating issues arose.

Earlier in their career, Dr. O'Brien-O'Reilly worked at The University of Salford as a Research Fellow in both the Surface Engineering Group and the Chemical Engineering department. In these roles, they worked on EPSRC funded projects related to the production of dielectric coatings and ultra-high purity hydrogen for automotive fuel cell applications. Dr. Janet was responsible for characterizing and optimizing sputtering systems and worked across multiple departments within the university.

Dr. O'Brien-O'Reilly's earliest work experience was as a Marine Engineer at HART, FENTON & CO LIMITED, where they primarily focused on control systems and worked on projects involving sea keeping and directional stability issues for multi-hulled vessels.

Dr. Janet O'Brien-O'Reilly received their PhD in Plasma Physics and Coatings Engineering from The University of Salford in 1997. Prior to that, they obtained a B.Eng degree in Mechanical Engineering from the same university in 1993. Dr. Janet completed their 'A' Levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and General Studies at Litherland High School in Liverpool from 1987 to 1989. Additionally, they achieved 10 grades in 'O' Levels at the same school from 1982 to 1987. Finally, Dr. Janet O'Brien-O'Reilly is also a Chartered Physicist from the Institute of Physics.