Life after work: engineering experience in every walk of life
For many engineers, retirement is not an ending but a transition into new forms of contribution, service and learning. Frank Andrews FIET and Suzanne Flynn FIET are strong examples of how an engineering mindset can continue to shape lives long after full-time employment has ended.
Suzanne Flynn FIET and Frank Andrews FIET at Mayor Making in May last year.
Frank spent 34 years with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), witnessing extraordinary technological change over the course of his career. From the days of Morse code and valve-based electronics to satellite communications delivering data at megabytes per second, his experience reflects the pace of progress familiar to many engineers. Alongside his technical roles, Frank also took on wider responsibilities, including editing the RFA newspaper, acting as Public Relations Officer, instructing young officers and even introducing outward-bound training.
“Like many engineers, we often find ourselves trusted with additional roles,” Frank reflects. “Our curiosity about how things work, and our ability to analyse and communicate clearly, stays with us for life.”
After retiring from the RFA, Frank channelled those skills into public service. He became actively involved in the Local Strategic Health Authority, joined various IET activities in Lancashire and Cumbria, and later stood for local government. He is currently serving as Mayor of Fylde Borough Council, where his engineering background continues to inform his approach to decision-making and problem-solving.
Suzanne’s career also broke new ground. A trailblazing woman engineer in the Royal Air Force, she worked on iconic aircraft, including the Harrier and Vulcan, and contributed to Ptarmigan, one of the UK’s earliest military mobile communication systems. Her later civilian career spanned nuclear generation, defence, steel, and oil and gas.
One of Suzanne’s proudest moments has been seeing engineering passion passed to the next generation: her daughter Emily is also an engineer and FIET, making them the first mother-and-daughter engineering double act recognised by the IET.
Suzanne has dedicated decades of service to the profession, holding numerous senior volunteer roles within the IET and beyond. Even after “retiring”, she continued safety work in nuclear generation until the age of 78, while also volunteering as a Digital Champion with Age UK, helping older people navigate an increasingly digital world.
Today, both Frank and Suzanne remain actively involved with the IET as members of the Lancashire and Cumbria Retired Members Committee, continuing to contribute their experience while staying connected to the engineering community.
Both are strong advocates for staying connected to engineering through retirement. As Suzanne puts it: “Engineering has never been just a career for me, it’s been a lifelong source of purpose, community and connection.”
Their message to fellow members is as follows: engineering skills are transferable, valued, and needed. There is very much life, impact and enjoyment to be found after work.