Behind every well-designed building is a network of systems working quietly and reliably in the background. At SEED Engineers, our electrical team plays a critical role in ensuring buildings are safe, efficient, and future-ready. In this edition of A Day in the Life, we speak with Melody De Castro, Electrical Engineer, about her role, daily routine, and what drives her work.

Background and Path into Engineering

Melody is an Electrical Engineer with nearly ten years of experience in the field. Her journey into engineering was driven by a fascination with turning ideas into reality; transforming concepts on paper into systems that function in the real world. That curiosity continues to shape how she approaches each project today.

Specialising in electrical engineering, Melody brings a methodical and considered approach to design, ensuring every solution is accurate, coordinated, and fit for purpose.

A Typical Day at SEED Engineers

Melody typically starts her workday at 8:00am and finishes at 4:30pm, aligning with SEED Engineers’ flexible 7.5-hour workday structure. Her mornings begin simply with breakfast first, then a focused start to the day’s tasks.

Working from home, Melody balances her professional routine with personal wellbeing, often heading to the gym after work as part of her daily rhythm. Her workdays are largely centred around the early design stages of projects, where careful thinking and calculation are essential.

“The initial design process is where most of my time goes,” she explains. “That’s where accuracy really matters, and where decisions have long-term impacts.”

Tools, Technology, and Problem-Solving

In her day-to-day work, Melody regularly uses:

• Templated Excel tools for maximum demand calculations
• DIALux for lighting calculations
• PowerPac for cable sizing and electrical calculations

Managing time across design work, coordination, and problem-solving is an ongoing challenge, particularly when multiple deadlines overlap. Melody approaches this by tackling tasks methodically, one at a time, while maintaining SEED Engineers’ focus on quality and delivery.

Collaboration and Project Work

Melody currently works across a mix of residential and commercial projects. Collaboration is a key part of her role, particularly with other engineers to coordinate spatial requirements and electrical loads. She also works directly with clients when specific inputs are required to inform design decisions.

One recent challenge involved assessing whether an existing main switchboard and transformer could accommodate additional electrical load. Through investigation and coordination, the issue was resolved, a reminder of the importance of due diligence and clear problem-solving in electrical design.

Challenges, Rewards, and Reflections

The most rewarding part of Melody’s work is seeing problems solved and projects progress from design to construction. “It’s rewarding when you can see the project being built and know you’ve contributed to making it work,” she says.

Meeting multiple deadlines can be challenging, but Melody believes effective time management is always the key to navigating busy periods.

A good day at work, for her, is one where tasks are completed efficiently and there’s still time left for family – a balance SEED Engineers actively supports.

Advice for Future Engineers

For students and early-career engineers, Melody offers clear advice: engineers are problem-solvers first and foremost.

“Engineers don’t just build, they provide solutions,” she says.

She also hopes more people understand that all engineering disciplines play an equally important role in successful design outcomes. No single discipline stands above another; collaboration is what delivers the best results.

Beyond the Desk

Outside of work, Melody enjoys travelling and exploring new places. Her comfort food of choice is steak, and while she doesn’t follow a particular sporting team, she carries a guiding principle into both work and life:

“You are made to create an impact to the society and to the people around you.”