The recognition of being named Australian Engineer of the Year is a prestigious milestone, and for Jillian Formentin, Head of Engineering for APAC West with Wood, and a member of the Engineering Institute of Technology’s (EIT) Governance Board, it is a testament to a remarkable career marked by leadership, dedication, and a passion for the profession.
Honoring a Career Built on Leadership and Collaboration
Having already been honored as the Western Australian (WA) Professional Engineer of the Year, this latest accolade reflects Jillian Formentin’s journey of resilience, innovation, and commitment to the engineering community.
Being named Australian Engineer of the Year is an achievement that underscores her dedication to advancing the engineering profession and advocating for diversity, safety, and sustainability.
With her extensive leadership roles across major projects and organizations, she reflects on the significance of this recognition. “I feel incredibly honored to be awarded Engineers Australia National Engineer of the Year.”
She acknowledged it is enormously validating. “Throughout my career, I’ve tested my own mindset, stepped forward with courage, and learned from both successes and failures. Engineering leadership is challenging, but this recognition feels like acknowledgment of my passion, tenacity, and love for the people in our industry.”
This prestigious award comes after previous recognition as WA Professional Engineer of the Year, but its significance goes beyond personal achievement.
“It also celebrates the collective courage of engineers who create the narrative of our work. Engineering is creative and challenging, and this award highlights the importance of collaboration across all moving parts of projects,” Formentin reflected.
Leading Change Through Communication and Diversity
Looking back on key projects and initiatives that have shaped her career, Formentin pointed to several milestones of leadership that stand out.
Notable among them are her contributions to safety leadership at Chevron’s Gorgon Project, values-driven actions at Roy Hill, and the successful conversion of gas supply to the City of Launceston. These initiatives exemplify Formentin’s belief in the power of communication and teamwork to achieve results.
“The projects I’m most proud of are those where I expanded communication between people to produce outcomes. Safety leadership, values in action, and infrastructure projects have been key moments where teamwork and strong communication led to successful outcomes,” she shared.
“Engineering is a profession for everyone, and I’m particularly proud of my work to enhance confidence and opportunities for women and girls in the field. We need them,” she emphasized. Her focus on eliminating bias and encouraging individuals to fully express themselves is an essential part of driving progress in the field.
“Any bias of thinking is detrimental to our ability to produce results. Helping people overcome barriers to their participation is incredibly satisfying,” she added.
Mentoring, Safety, and Shaping the Future of Engineering
Looking ahead, Formentin remains deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and advocating for sustainability within the field. “The younger generation is always watching, and I hope they see this award as recognition of the courage to care for people and lead a career dedicated to the possibilities of what we can achieve through projects and people.”
Her vision for the future emphasizes empowering young engineers to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and urbanization. “The future of engineering lies in innovation and sustainability, and I want to inspire others to take action,” she explained. Sustainability, she believes, should be at the heart of the profession as engineers work to address some of the world’s most complex issues.
In addition, Jillian’s commitment to safety in engineering projects continues to play a pivotal role in her leadership approach. By empowering those closest to a problem, she believes teams are better equipped to find solutions. “Empowering people with the right tools and processes produces better results than expected.” This ethos of safety and empowerment continues to shape her leadership, and she hopes her recognition as Australian Engineer of the Year will encourage curiosity and action in others.
In her current role as Head of Engineering for APAC West at Wood, Jillian’s focus is on enabling exceptional performance across projects while driving sustainability within the industry.
“My goal is to work with my team at Wood to move the industry to the next level of sustainability and stewardship for our clients.” Furthermore, her work with the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) is dedicated to providing engineering education to those who may not otherwise have access to it.
Reflecting on the recent EIT graduation ceremony, Jillian said, “Seeing the graduates and their excitement for what they had accomplished was a reminder of the vast opportunities and challenges they’ll face—and the potential they have to make a difference.”
The recognition of Australian Engineer of the Year is more than just an individual achievement—it’s a celebration of the values that drive meaningful change within the engineering profession.
Through a commitment to leadership, safety, diversity, and sustainability, this award highlights Formentin’s career dedicated to making a lasting impact on both people and projects. With a focus on mentoring and empowering the next generation of engineers, Jillian is poised to continue inspiring others to reach new heights in the industry.
