Andrea Edney, Associate Director – Trenchless, SYSTRA Bamser

Describe your role?

As an Associate Director, you play a pivotal role through many project phases, from concept through to completion, with the ability to add significant value for clients through the concept and design phase of trenchless projects. Unlike many design teams, our team have a strong contracting background, which means constructability is always considered in everything we deliver. 

My responsibilities vary from full trenchless design delivery for high-profile projects including the Gold Coast Light Rail and Inland Rail, to design review and compliance assessment. My role also includes methodology review and advice, verification of pipe selection via installation loading and structural loading assessments.

Within this scope, my role can vary significantly from managing our team and resources, through to writing reports, performing calculations, and providing advice to clients and stakeholders.

Why do you do what you do?

I really enjoy what I do because there is always something new and challenging. The variety of projects means I am never doing the same thing over and over, I get to solve unique problems and work with different people all the time.

Being a part of a great, high functioning team, is very rewarding.

What are the 3 important qualities or skills in your job?

• Collaboration

I enjoy being a part of diverse teams and working with various stakeholders, such as asset owners, designers, developers, councils, contractors, authorities, suppliers and manufacturers, to develop constructible and efficient solutions. It’s important to understand the strengths of the team and bring together all of the information when developing solutions to unique problems.

If I don’t know something, I’m not too proud to ask. I think this is an important part of our role as it goes a long way towards designing the best solutions and creating positive outcomes for our clients.

• Take time to understand how things work and what the constraints are

By being detail oriented and asking questions, you get to understand more about the project and how different elements add up to form a whole. By understanding how things work, you can think outside the box to create innovative solutions to unique problems. I was able to do this on a project and was able to save the client $3 million while also reducing the project’s environmental footprint by using recycled products!

Why SYSTRA?

There are three things that really resonate with me.

Having been part of the Bamser team originally, the thing that really stands out to me about SYSTRA is the ability to connect with global experts. We are working on a project now alongside colleagues from our team in India. We have access to more resources and have been able to expand the type of work we can do.

Secondly, the people I work with help create an amazing team environment. We may be geographically spread but we are all very connected, genuine, and helpful. You can’t put a price on this culture type element.

And lastly, as a part-time worker, I have always been empowered to work the hours I need to complete my role.  The flexibility is important for me as I can work around my daughter’s school and other commitments. I also have time for my other passions in life, like health and fitness. I’m empowered to organise my day how I need to, which is important to me!