Role: Principal Civil Engineer

Career Area: Engineering Design

Location: York

My role at SYSTRA

I manage a team of developing and experienced professionals in SYSTRA’s York office.

Together we deliver engineering design projects for railways. Our focus is on the civil engineering that runs alongside the tracks – which includes stations, equipment rooms, train care facilities and security features.

A good day means getting a high-quality design out to a client, on time, in budget and everyone learning something along the way.

My career journey

I picked Engineering for a degree because it sounded like the Design Technology classes I’d enjoyed at school, although I did struggle with the maths and heavy theory. Luckily, I’d started doing some holiday work at a civil and structural engineering firm, where I learned how much more practical problem solving there was to it.

As a graduate I joined Corus Railway Infrastructure Services in 2006. The firm became Tata Steel, then Tata Steel Projects, British Steel and finally SYSTRA. 

My flexible working experience
What is your flexible working arrangement?

I used to work five days a week. Since February 2023, I now work three days a week (22.5 hours per week).

Why did you request your arrangement, and what are the benefits for you?

I requested a flexible working arrangement to help with health conditions and finding a good work life balance. I now have a lot more time for hobbies and doing things that are meaningful to me. I have developed new skills in my spare time that I never had the time for before, which is rewarding.  

A four-day weekend also allows me to properly switch off and enjoy my break away from work.

How has SYSTRA supported you in adopting your flexible working pattern?

SYSTRA has been very supportive in helping me adopt a flexible working pattern. 

My job at the time was divided into two halves – design and management. In order to free up time and make my flexible working arrangement possible, I began by stopping the design side of my work. 

As time has passed and the team has grown, I’ve managed to hand over some of the management and pick up design again, which I really value.

Have you been able to effectively manage your arrangement alongside the demands of your role?

Whilst working flexibly, I have continued client work, but I am in supportive roles rather than the lead. This means there is less immediacy in my workload so I can fit things around my working schedule. 

SYSTRA offers hybrid working which I find really helpful for days I need to get my head down and focus. I also appreciate the value of being in the office as this allows me to give better support to the people I work with. 

In my role we make the most of asynchronous communication and store key information communally, so we don’t need to be in the same place at the same time to make decisions. I’m also lucky to work alongside some brilliant colleagues, which makes a massive difference.

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering submitting a flexible working request?

Be honest with yourself about what you are waiting for before doing it. If in doubt, give it a go!

> View all

learn more about life at systra