Liam Moynihan has raced at World Cups across six continents, ridden down an active volcano and built an online audience of more than 50,000 YouTube subscribers (@LiamMoynihan) and 40,000 Instagram followers (@papa_moyn) as a professional mountain biker. Today, you’ll find him working in another seriously hot environment: the Potrooms at Alvance British Aluminium.

After leaving Lochaber High School, Liam completed a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Strathclyde and spent a year in part-time research. A PhD in fluid dynamics looked likely, but mountain biking was starting to look like an exciting career.

Engineering was put on hold while Liam raced across South America, North America, Japan and Europe, taking on World Cups, the Megavalanche and Mountain of Hell, to name just a few. He also filmed his rides as Papa Moyn, with his raw race footage leading to content work for some of mountain biking’s biggest brands.

One of his favourite days on a bike was spent riding down Stromboli, the active volcano off Sicily.

After years away from engineering, Liam returned home to Lochaber and joined Alvance British Aluminium as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer. He has since progressed to Department Engineer in the Potrooms, where alumina is dissolved in a molten cryolite bath at around 960–980°C to produce primary aluminium.

It is a very different challenge from riding down Stromboli, although perhaps not such an unexpected destination for someone whose favourite ride took place on a volcano.

Liam still races and films when he can fit it around work and being dad to three girls. Lochaber gives him the lot: rewarding engineering work, world-class riding and his family all in one place.

Could your next move bring you to Alvance British Aluminium?

Liam joined us as a graduate. Now we’re looking for the next two.

Recruitment is now open for:

Graduate Mechanical Engineer  & Graduate Electrical Engineer

This is hands-on engineering at full scale, inside the UK’s only primary aluminium smelter.

Bring your degree. Put it to work.

Explore the roles and other opportunities we have available here: alvancebritishaluminium.com/careers/

Apply: lochabercareers@alvancegroup.com

Engineering Pathways at Alvance British Aluminium

Potrooms: hot metal being poured into a large crucible, ready to go to the Casting Department

Lochaber Powerhouse