Graduate Stories

What’s your job about?

SYSTRA is an engineering consulting firm so that means that I’m helping clients understand what their needs or issues are and working with them on a day-to-day basis. I’m currently undergoing my first rotation with a senior engineer in the transport sector and I’m shadowing him through his career to get a better idea of the work he does and learn more about the company. It’s really helpful having such a good mentor because it means I can ask him anything and we talk almost everyday. He’s really good at getting me involved in “bite-sized” tasks for different areas of the business so I get to try different things and meet different people within the company. My average day usually consists of a few meetings, going through emails, lunch with colleagues, and scheduling some extra productive hours to get work done, and usually the days go by pretty quickly. As a graduate, you tend to get a lot of “odd jobs” which I don’t mind because it’s 1-2 hours of work and when you’re done you feel more accomplished rather than working on a massive project where you can’t really see the end product for a few years.

What’s your background?

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and moved closer to the city when I was in high school which had a pretty big impact on my schooling and my friends at the time. Changing schools in Year 10 was pretty tough but it helped me become more independent and I even got my first job. While I knew working in retail wasn’t for me in the long run, my colleagues made the job worthwhile. In my final year at university, I wanted to get some industry experience so I got a job in maintenance at a chocolate mousse factory. At times, juggling full-time university and two jobs was really tough but you learn a lot about yourself and if you can prioritise your time, you can actually achieve anything. When I finally graduated, I was pretty burnt out and I quit my job and I went backpacking through Europe for 3 months. I knew it was something I really wanted to do, as my family is Italian and Maltese and I definitely want to go back soon.

Flash forward to February 2023, I got off the plane and started my new job at SYSTRA two days later. Now it’s crazy to look back on because I’ve already been working for SYSTRA for four months! The final year was stressful enough and applying for jobs made it even more stressful but I’m glad it paid off and I could focus on my exams knowing I had a position at SYSTRA. 

What’s the coolest thing about your job?

My job is pretty unique because I’m working so closely with a senior engineer it’s really easy for me to know if I’m doing my job well. We have daily meetings, usually only 15-30 minutes, where we go through what I’ve done and what I’ll be doing until the next meeting. It really gives me a chance to ask any questions and get feedback. In addition, my colleagues in Melbourne make an effort to try all the different lunch spots in our area so there’s always an open invite for some good food. We also have a tennis court in our building!

What are the limitations of your job?

Engineering consulting is such a broad and overwhelming industry so sometimes it can be hard to see where you fit in. Especially as a graduate, sometimes a project lead will need someone more experienced and because it’s a client’s request, there isn’t much room to persuade them otherwise. I think the biggest limitation of my job is being underestimated, sometimes it might feel like you’re not being utilised to your full potential but I think as time goes on, people get to know you better personally and professionally and you have a better sense of belonging.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student…

• Study hard but when you graduate, I promise you won’t remember that one test you failed in your second year, it’s not worth compromising your mental health over, just try your best.
• If you don’t understand something or need an extension, just email your lecturer, the worst they can say is no.
• Get yourself a diary. Digital. Physical. A Kmart one. It doesn’t matter but get one you like and write all of your due dates in there from week 1. Keep to-do lists and make internal deadlines for yourself so you can break down those bigger assessments. 

To find out more about the SYSTRA ANZ Graduate Program click here.

The program will upgrade the Digital Train Radio System (DTRS) to enable reliable communication between trains and operational systems, helping guide the transition from the current GSM-R platform toward the next generation standard – the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). The DTRS is a core communications capability for train operations across the Sydney Trains network and is an enabler for future applications that will deliver improved reliability and performance.

As Sydney Trains advances modern signalling and control systems, this partnership will address equipment obsolescence and support a shared longer-term vision to deliver more reliable services and enhance network productivity.

As part of the partnership, SYSTRA will provide advisory and integration planning to support investment decisions and staged delivery, drawing on prior work with the rail sector and experience across telecommunications, signalling, and systems integration. The engagement will prioritise safety, reliability and interoperability, supported by local engineering capability and global expertise.

Following four years in the role, we thank Alana for her contribution to SYSTRA ANZ and wish her well in her future endeavors.

With effect from 1 January 2026, Jonathan Herguais, currently Chief Operating Officer of SYSTRA ANZ, has been appointed to oversee the management of the business on an interim basis, while continuing in his role as COO. This arrangement is intended to ensure continuity of leadership and operations.

The EWC program is a national initiative that supports organisations to build and recognise engineering capability through professional accreditation. It provides a structured pathway for engineers to achieve formal recognition such as Chartered Engineer status, membership advancement, and Engineering Executive credentials. 

Through this partnership, SYSTRA will work closely with Engineers Australia to provide our people with tailored guidance, mentoring, and support as they progress through the program.  

Joining the EWC program reflects SYSTRA’s commitment to upholding our values and our continued investment in our people and their professional growth. 

We recognise that our people are our greatest strength and with the EWC program, we’re providing them with the opportunities needed to unlock their full potential. We’re also providing them with the skills to build a long and sustainable career.

Alison Scott, Chief People Officer at SYSTRA

The EWC program also assists to strengthen consistency, compliance, and recognition, enabling benefits such as greater workforce mobility and global recognition among others. It also enables organisations to adapt more easily to evolving regulatory requirements, which are expected to increase as Artificial Intelligence and other technologies become more widely adopted. 

Through partnering with Engineers Australia on the EWC program, we are giving our people, clients and partners confidence that our team can deliver the specialist engineering skills that are hard to find elsewhere.

Alison Scott

SYSTRA’s participation in the EWC program reinforces our commitment to delivering technically excellent and future-focused solutions across complex infrastructure projects. 

Learn more about our Pathways program here.

Sydney, Australia — SYSTRA is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a key role on the Western Harbour Tunnel project.

On behalf of our client, Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW), SYSTRA will provide Delivery Assurance Specialist Services on the second phase of the project.

We are thrilled to be part of this generational project. The win highlights the advantages of our enhanced capability and global expertise that we offer to our clients.  

In providing Delivery Assurance Specialist services, we are bringing genuine lifecycle delivery experience built from working on some of the most significant underground infrastructure projects in Australia and abroad. We look forward to working closely with TfNSW and the wider stakeholder network to deliver such a critical part of Sydney’s future transport network.

Jon Daley, Executive General Manager – Infrastructure Engineering, SYSTRA

The Western Harbour Tunnel is an internationally significant and technically complex megaproject that demands specialised tunnelling expertise. As a once-in-a-generation harbour crossing, it includes the largest bored tunnel in the Southern Hemisphere. To support the Government in ensuring the effective delivery and seamless transition of construction processes and road tunnel assets into operations, Transport has engaged SYSTRA, drawing on their global tunnelling experience and proven technical capability.

Simon Cooper, Western Harbour Tunnel Project Director, Transport for New South Wales

The Western Harbour Tunnel is set to transform Sydney’s transportation network and is a critical component of the state’s long-term transport strategy, designed to ease traffic flow on major artillery roads such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Western Distributor, and Anzac Bridge. The project involves the construction of a new road tunnel, 6.3 kilometres long with three lanes in both directions that will cross underneath Sydney Harbour, linking the WestConnex with the Warringah Freeway at North Sydney.

As part of SYSTRA’s role in the project, we will provide tunnelling assurance specialists for tunnel operations, including works related to the tunnel boring machine operations. This scope requires specialist knowledge and expertise to ensure critical equipment performs according to plan.

It’s been one year since SYSTRA acquired Rail Systems Australia (RSA), a respected leader in engineering, signalling and telecommunications in the rail sector. This marked a pivotal milestone in our journey to expand our expertise and elevate our services in the Australian rail industry.

Key Achievements:

• Expanded technical capability: The RSA acquisition has strengthened our systems integration expertise, particularly in telecommunications and signaling design, positioning us as the partner of choice for Australia’s most complex rail programs.
• Strategic project wins: Our enhanced capabilities have seen us continue to provide the highest quality of service and reliability, maintaining the Sydney Trains Digital Train Radio network. We have also won new projects in Western Australia supporting our head contractor partners and positioned ourselves on major ETCS programs and future railway mobile communications initiatives both locally and abroad.
• Streamlined project delivery: By combining RSA’s local systems knowledge with SYSTRA’s global engineering excellence, we’ve delivered exceptional results on METRONET, More Trains More Services, and Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal projects.
• Market diversification: We’ve successfully expanded beyond traditional rail into emerging sectors including telecommunications networks for mining clients and digital systems for critical infrastructure.
• Operational integration: The integration has been completed efficiently, with approximately 80% of integration milestones achieved in just 10 months, creating a cohesive team ready to tackle Australia’s transportation challenges.

“The acquisition of RSA by SYSTRA has allowed us to leverage the incredible international expertise of SYSTRA to provide locally based teams to our clients for the integration of complex communications and signalling solutions.  The digitization of rail in Australia is gaining momentum and we are excited to be working with our clients on this transition.”

Tom Warner, EGM Systems, SYSTRA (former Managing Director, Rail Systems Australia)

The Future is Bright—Here’s What’s Next:

One year down, and we’re just getting started. The past year has been one of growth, innovation, and strengthened partnerships. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and leading the way in transforming rail across Australia.

As we step into year two, we’re primed to take on the next big thing. With enhanced capabilities and a wider reach, we’re ready to tackle even larger projects, lead the way in emerging technologies, and push the limits of rail innovation.

Key Content

• Experts' Insights

FRMCS: The Future of Radio Communications in railways

Read more

• News

26 March 2024

SYSTRA Completes acquisition of Rail Systems Australia

Acquisition announcement – Sydney, 27 March 2024

Read more

• News

28 November 2023

The role of data and technology in unlocking interoperability

An excerpt from our publication on Interoperability

Read more

Our Expanded Capabilities

Arup will lead a team with partners SYSTRA to plan the proposed network operation of high-speed rail in Australia.

The team will play a key role in defining the high-speed rail product and network concept for a planned future system between Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Brisbane, with initial focus on the operations and maintenance requirements for the first stage between Sydney and Newcastle, for which a business case is currently underway.

Arup and SYSTRA have been at the forefront of high-speed and faster rail development globally for more than 40 years. The firms bring extensive international experience in high-speed operations and maintenance blended with local rail planning expertise to the project.

Alex Borg, Australasia Transport Leader at Arup, said, “High-speed rail opens up a wealth of benefits for the communities it connects, providing a sustainable transport link for residents, workers, and visitors, and unlocking the potential for social and economic growth. This is a tremendous opportunity for Arup to bring our extensive global experience and dedication to sustainable development to this project and help shape the future of transport on Australia’s east coast.”

Jean-Philippe Lavallee, Operations and Maintenance Director at SYSTRA said, “SYSTRA is delighted to contribute to define Australia’s vision for a more connected and sustainable future. We look forward to leveraging of our global expertise gained through worldwide high-speed rail projects, finely completed with our local knowledge and on-the-ground expertise, to define a sustainable, attractive, performant, and cost-efficient high-speed rail transportation system.”

The contract for Network Rail Operations Planning was awarded to the Arup-led team after a competitive tender process by the High Speed Rail Authority, as part of their work to deliver the Sydney to Newcastle Business Case. With 14.9 million passengers annually, Sydney to Newcastle is the busiest intercity rail line in Australia. The business case will determine important elements of the network, including proposed corridor alignment, station locations, fleet, cost estimate and construction timeframes.

**ENDS**

About Arup
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts working globally. Founded to be humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.

As an independent firm, with a trust structure, Arup has no external investors. The Australasia Region encompasses Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with a 3000-strong team providing consultancy services to government, corporate and community-based clients.

About SYSTRA
SYSTRA is a global leader in transportation engineering and mobility solutions with over 11,000 transport professionals across the globe. Headquartered in France, the company operates in over 80 countries worldwide. SYSTRA’s expertise spans a wide range of areas within the transportation sector. We utilise our expertise centres across the world to advise, design and build new mobility to make SYSTRA the signature team for transportation solutions.

For the 400 strong team located in Australia and New Zealand, we utilise our connected teams to bring this expertise to our local clients. We work with a partnership mindset, working closely with our clients to co-create the mobility solutions of tomorrow.

The completion of the Rail Systems Australia acquisition occurred today and we are excited to welcome our new colleagues within SYSTRA ANZ.  

Following the conclusion of the Agreement announced in December 2023, 130 RSA employees have officially joined the SYSTRA ANZ business. This helps us bridge the East and West coast of Australia, expand our product offering to be the Systems Integrator of choice, and brings our team size to over 400 experts across our ANZ business.

RSA brings an impressive range of technical expertise in rail signalling, telecommunications, asset management and systems engineering. Their expertise in Future Railway Mobile Communication Systems (FRMCS) allows us to further champion interoperability and the modernisation of the rail network.

The acquisition of RSA comes after we recently marked the one-year anniversary of SYSTRA Bamser. We see this acquisition as a promising step forward in how we service the transportation and broader infrastructure market.

We look forward to the opportunities this acquisition will bring and are committed to providing the highest quality services to our clients. 

For more information about RSA, please head here.

If you want to get in touch on our growth trajectory, reach out to Alana Newbrook, CEO SYSTRA ANZ.

With over 20 years’ experience, Franck joins the business with deep expertise in financial leadership, management, and analysis. He brings transferrable knowledge in defence, cybersecurity, transport, and infrastructure projects with a demonstrated ability to deliver sound business strategy coupled with financial and operational success.

“We are lucky that we found Franck to support our business gear up for the next iteration in our growth and transformation. It was the perfect fit, with Franck bringing the desired corporate skills and big business background that we needed and an even happier coincidence to find he was a French national. Franck will be responsible for implementing new systems to set us up for long-term success and further expansions via acquisitions.”

Alana Newbrook, Chief Executive Officer, SYSTRA ANZ

Joining SYSTRA ANZ after nearly two decades with Thales, Franck’s expertise and understanding of project management, funds management, corporate finance, operations, and public contract negotiations will help the team grow whilst managing our productivity and delivering the best outcomes to clients.

“I’m excited to join a company that has such lofty ambitions. While we are quite young in Australia, we have had great success locally and bring a global reputation as the signature team for mobility projects.

I look forward to working with Alana, the Leadership Team and the finance group to ensure we hit our key targets and dominate the mass transit and rail market here, like we do abroad.”

Franck Leriche, Chief Financial Officer, SYSTRA ANZ

Originally from Paris, Franck has lived in Australia since 2004. He holds a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance & Strategy, and recently graduated from AICD. Franck is based in our head office in Sydney at Level 15, Chifley Tower Sydney.

Hit below to learn more about Franck.

• LinkedIn