Brothers in engineering: How the Wessling men are building their futures at Richglen
Tyler and Riley Wessling, two brothers from Rockhampton, have both forged careers with Richglen, though their paths have been shaped by their individual interests and experiences. While they share a sibling bond, each has carved out a distinct niche in the engineering field, bringing their own skills and passions to the company.
Riley Wessling, left, is undergoing work placement at Richglen while his brother Tyler is a full-time electrical engineer with Richglen.
Tyler, now an electrical engineer, came to Richglen through the company’s placement partnership with CQUniversity’s School of Engineering and Technology. Riley joined Richglen as a graduate engineer after completing his studies in 2022. His journey into engineering began at high school, where he developed a love for maths and science. “I always enjoyed maths and science, and a lot of people suggested engineering as a degree,” Tyler said. “It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
“Working on a project and seeing it get completed is one of the best feelings.”
For Tyler, electrical engineering stood out because of its theoretical nature, “It’s something you can’t physically see, so the theory behind it really interested me.” After completing a placement with Richglen, Tyler decided to continue with the company, valuing the teamwork and community he experienced during his time there. “I accepted Richglen over other offers due to the great community and teamwork dynamic I remembered from my placement,” he said.
For Riley, the path to engineering wasn’t as direct. Like his brother, Riley had a strong interest in maths and physics, but when it came time to choose a discipline, he gravitated toward mechanical engineering. “I immediately realised electrical was not the way for me,” Riley says, explaining his decision to focus on mechanical systems, structural forces, and energy-based challenges.
Riley, left, and Tyler Wessling are brothers pursuing engineering careers in the Queensland resources sector.
Riley began his journey with Richglen in 2022, completing his first work placement with the company through the same CQUniversity placement program as his brother. He’s currently on his second placement with Richglen while in his fourth and final year of his mechanical engineering honours degree. “Tyler spoke really highly of the group of staff at Richglen, and it made me feel comfortable approaching them,” Riley said. “The culture at Richglen is always positive and advancing – always looking at what we can do better and improve for the future.”
Despite the occasional sibling rivalry, both brothers agree that seeing projects through to completion is the most rewarding part of their work. For Tyler, the satisfaction comes from being hands-on in the field and watching projects evolve. “Working on a project and seeing it get completed is one of the best feelings,” he says. Riley agrees, citing his most recent project, a dragline rear leg replacement at Rolleston. “Seeing the job out until the end and finishing it 100% is quite relieving,” he shares, noting the satisfaction of meeting deadlines and working with a dedicated team.
Looking ahead, both brothers are focused on advancing their careers with Richglen. Tyler has an interest in automation and control systems and may pursue his Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) certification, while Riley aims to develop his project management skills. “The ultimate goal is to progress to a project manager,” Riley says, confident that his hands-on experience and evolving responsibilities at Richglen will help him reach that goal. With their shared commitment to professional growth and a passion for their work, the Wessling brothers are building bright futures in engineering.