In this episode of the Real Industry Engineers Podcast, I sit down with Kgololosego Kototsi, a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa and a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Kgololosego works at the intersection of industrial automation, control systems, and process industries — designing and implementing systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. His work also touches on how modern automation platforms are unlocking opportunities in data analytics, business intelligence, and digital transformation.

But beyond the technical expertise, this conversation explores a reality many engineers only fully understand after entering industry:

You are not a finished engineer when you graduate.

We discuss the transition from university into real-world engineering, the importance of learning on the job, and how exposure to different systems, environments, and challenges shapes you into a more complete engineer over time.

Kgololosego shares his journey from working on large-scale power systems at Eskom, through OEM environments, and into his current role — along with the lessons, uncertainties, and growth that came with it.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why engineering alone isn’t enough after graduation
• The gap between university learning and real-world engineering
• What it means to be “rough around the edges” early in your career
• Learning through exposure to real systems and operational environments
• Control systems and automation in process industries
• The role of automation in enabling data-driven decision making
• Engineering careers across utilities, OEMs, and consulting environments
• Transitioning into leadership and senior engineering roles
• The importance of continuous learning and adaptability

This conversation highlights an important idea:

Engineering gives you a foundation —
but it’s your experience, exposure, and growth in industry that truly shape you into an engineer.

About the Guest

Kgololosego Kototsi is a Lead Control Engineer at Yokogawa, a global leader in industrial automation, and a registered Professional Engineer with ECSA. His expertise lies in the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems for process industries. He is passionate about building robust automation platforms that support safe operations, efficient production, and data-driven decision making.

About the Podcast

The Real Industry Engineers Podcast features conversations with engineers and technology professionals working in the real world — sharing insights, experiences, and lessons that go beyond the classroom.

If you'd like to follow the podcast, explore episodes, or learn more:

🌐 https://realindustryengineers.com

If you’re an engineer with a story to share and would like to be a guest:

📝 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczPYamaXWBhhjWgPCpPO7qUzyVPciaB5wOMEefhYgjBrbTIg/viewform

New episodes are released fortnightly.

Welcome to Real Industry Engineers.

In this episode of the Real Industry Engineers Podcast, I sit down with Shawn Cowdrey to explore a reality many engineers only fully understand once they enter industry:

Engineering alone isn’t enough.

We discuss what actually matters beyond technical skills — from communication and resilience to navigating complex systems, industries, and global career opportunities.

Shawn shares his journey from South Africa to Australia, and eventually into robotics work in Germany, along with the lessons he learned through failure, persistence, and adapting to new environments.

This conversation also explores how engineering is evolving, including the role of robotics, AI, and what the future of work may look like as physical systems become increasingly connected and remotely operated.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why engineering alone isn’t enough in industry
• The gap between university and real-world engineering
• The importance of communication and stakeholder management
• Lessons from failure and building resilience
• What sales engineering involves in practice
• Moving internationally as an engineer
• Engineering careers in Australia vs Germany
• Robotics and real-world automation systems
• How AI is intersecting with engineering workflows
• The future of remote engineering and global work opportunities

This conversation highlights an important idea:

Engineering teaches you how to think —
but how you apply that thinking in real-world environments is what shapes your career.

About the Podcast

The Real Industry Engineers Podcast features conversations with engineers and technology professionals working in the real world — sharing insights, experiences, and lessons that go beyond the classroom.

If you'd like to follow the podcast, explore episodes, or learn more:

🌐 https://realindustryengineers.com

If you’re an engineer with a story to share and would like to be a guest:

📝 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczPYamaXWBhhjWgPCpPO7qUzyVPciaB5wOMEefhYgjBrbTIg/viewform

Welcome to Real Industry Engineers.

AI is moving fast — faster than many engineers can keep up with. So how should engineers think about building a career in artificial intelligence today?

In this episode of the Real Industry Engineers Podcast, Nyasha sits down with Deo Mujinga, a Solutions Engineer and AI specialist working in agentic AI, large-scale data systems, and real-world AI deployment.

Deo shares insights from his journey into AI and explains how engineers can approach the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The conversation explores why finding a niche is more important than trying to understand everything in AI, how developers can use AI tools effectively, and what the future might look like for engineers entering the field.

We also discuss the ethical challenges surrounding artificial intelligence, cybersecurity risks in the age of AI, and whether AI will replace programmers or simply become another powerful tool engineers must learn to use.

Topics Discussed

• Why AI is evolving so quickly
• The relationship between AI, machine learning, and data science
• Why engineers should focus on finding a niche in AI
• The difference between building AI systems and using AI tools
• Ethical concerns around deepfakes and AI-generated content
• Cybersecurity risks in the age of artificial intelligence
• Whether AI will replace programmers
• Why prompt engineering may become a core developer skill

About the Guest

Deo Mujinga is a Solutions Engineer and AI specialist focused on agentic AI, large-scale data systems, and real-world AI deployment. He helps organizations move AI ideas from experimentation to real production systems.

About the Podcast

Real Industry Engineers is a podcast featuring conversations with engineers and technology professionals working in the real world. The show explores careers, technology trends, and lessons from people building and working with modern engineering systems.

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