We are thrilled to announce that one of Arche Energy’s most valued team members Daniel Nieto has been nominated for one of Engineers Australia’s Excellence Awards 2024.
At the Queensland Excellence Awards dinner this Thursday, the Arche table will be full of Daniel’s supporters.
Daniel is competing in the Emerging Professional Engineer of the Year category — a testament to his exceptional talent and rising influence in his field.
For over a century these awards have highlighted engineering excellence across Australia.
“Daniel joined Arche Energy in 2021, and since then his impact has been remarkable,” said Arche CEO and Founder Andrew Murdoch.
“In just a few years, he has led and contributed to over 12 critical projects, including the ambitious Lockyer Energy Project and Supernode, which are both key milestones in the nation’s path to a net-zero future.”
Daniel’s influence reaches far beyond technical projects. As a passionate leader in the Australian-Latin American community, he holds senior positions on boards and in community organisations, such as the Australian Latin American Young Professionals (ALAYP).
His leadership is inspiring a generation of young engineers, advocating for diversity and inclusion in Australia’s infrastructure sector. He is especially committed to showcasing the valuable contributions of migrant engineers to Australia’s booming energy sector.
Daniel’s work is not just about engineering — it’s about making connections, empowering communities, and fostering innovation in every corner of the industry. By creating and hosting professional events with organisations like ALAYP, Daniel shares his expertise, mentoring and guiding the next wave of engineers.
“The events that get the most positive feedback are the ones that help people work towards their brightest possible future,” Daniel said.
“Hearing industry leaders discuss topics like ‘finding professional work in Australia’, ‘the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition’, and ‘Latin women in leadership’ give people an extra edge to position themselves for successful and fulfilling careers.”
Currently, Daniel is developing an exciting new mentoring program that aims to connect experienced migrant engineers with newcomers. This initiative, run through ALAYP, will provide much-needed career guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help migrant engineers navigate the Australian job market with confidence.
Since relocating from Colombia to Australia in 2016, Daniel has graduated with distinction from a Master of Sustainable Energy (Management) from the University of Queensland.
While studying, he worked on the renowned Heart of Australia program, which delivers critical mobile healthcare services to remote communities. Daniel’s work ensured that the proposed solutions were practical and culturally sensitive — a hallmark of his thoughtful, community-focused approach to engineering.
Now, as a project engineering and design management specialist, Daniel is tackling the future of Australia’s energy landscape. His commitment to developing low-carbon technologies and engaging with stakeholders is driven by a deeply held belief that innovation is key to mitigating climate change. His work is as forward-thinking as it is impactful.
At Arche Energy, we couldn’t be prouder to see Daniel’s career continue to soar. His journey exemplifies excellence, leadership, and a commitment to a sustainable future.
We wish him every success in the Engineering Excellence Awards and look forward to celebrating more of his achievements in the years to come.
