Meet Yin Ki (Kiki) Fong, Senior Engineer at AtkinsRéalis. She talks to us about life in the Intelligent Mobility & Smart Technology (IMST) practice and how her work makes a difference to our road network.
What projects have you worked on?
I spent the first couple of years of my career working on motorway related projects. I was involved in a high-profile overarching smart motorway project, where we evaluated the traffic and safety performance. I was also part of the team who calibrated and optimized smart motorways, such as the M1 J19-16 and M60 schemes, recommending when variable speed limits should be activated and deactivated based on historic traffic data. In the past year, I have been getting into the area of traffic signal design, optimizing the amount of time traffic signals stay green with the view to smoothing the traffic flow along diversion routes.
What do you find rewarding about your work?
Having been an overseas student since Year 9, I have always been heavily reliant on transport to get me back and forth between the UK and my hometown in Hong Kong. Connecting and moving people is therefore a topic that is very close to my heart.
The consultancy work we deliver in IMST helps inform our clients of important decisions that they make to improve their services. I enjoy seeing the outcome of my work with my own eyes. It is very rewarding driving along schemes that I’ve worked on. I feel like I’m making a positive impact to the society because what I do at work is closely related to the transport network that most of us use every day.
What are your colleagues like?
They're genuine people who accept me for who I am. I have been privileged enough to have met and worked with some extremely supportive seniors. They see my potential and help me develop by generously sharing their knowledge and experience with me and finding me suitable opportunities. I have always been encouraged to ask questions and there is no such thing as a stupid question. They allow me to develop at my own pace and have always looked after my wellbeing.
How have you seen Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working inside AtkinsRéalis?
At AtkinsRéalis, diversity is valued. Being on the Autism Disorder Spectrum (ASD) doesn’t hold me back because my colleagues focus on my strengths rather than my weaknesses. They recognize that everyone is different and can bring different things to the team. For example, I require structure and am very methodical and logical. These characteristics do not only make me well-suited to planning and coordinating complex work packages but also originating and checking technical numerical work.
People are interested in learning about different cultures, and they respect each other. I am one of the Hiring Managers for the IMST practice. While we are based in the UK, our recruitment team is based in India. Although the Eastern way of working is very different from the Western way, we collaborate very closely and have excellent relationships. Our reciprocal acknowledgement and understanding of ED&I enable us to attract not only local but also international talent.
How have you found career progression at AtkinsRéalis?
AtkinsRéalis has let me drive my own career. I'm free to decide on the career path I want to pursue, be it technical, managerial or a mix of both.
Your grade doesn't limit what scale of projects you get involved in. When I joined as a Graduate Engineer, my first project was a very high-profile evaluation project for our client at Highways England, now called National Highways.
They give you opportunities to learn and develop. For example, I never thought I would become a Team Leader, but I'm now one after being with the company for only five years. They don’t spoon feed you, instead they make you realize your own potential by providing you with encouragement and just the right amount of support.
The business is also fully supportive of professional registration. While supporting chartership applications is the norm, they've also seen me through my Incorporated Engineer (IEng), European Engineer (EUR ING) and International Professional Engineer (IntPE (UK)) registrations.
How do you make the most of AtkinsRéalis' flexible work culture?
I struggle with the noise and distractions in the office. Flexible working allows me to work from home where I am more focused and productive. Flexible working also means that I can enjoy a more modern lifestyle. For example, I no longer have to pick up a parcel from the depot because I am now able to receive and sign for it when it gets delivered to my home during the day.
As long as I let my team know well in advance, I can take most of my annual leave in one go, which means I can go back to Hong Kong for a month every year to visit my family. In addition, our International Flexible Working scheme enables people like me who have families abroad to spend more time with families while still working.
How do you create social value?
I was once an Arkwright Engineering Scholar and am now AtkinsRéalis' Arkwright Engineering Scholarships Liaison. AtkinsRéalis sponsors one scholar each year, providing them with mentoring and work experience. I thoroughly enjoy this role outside of my day-to-day work because it is a wonderful opportunity to give back. I also use my annual volunteering day allowance to support the Smallpeice Trust, which the Arkwright Scholarship Trust is now under.
Why would you recommend AtkinsRéalis as an employer?
I joined as a Graduate Engineer back in 2017. I chose AtkinsRéalis over other offers because I wanted to work for a global company with the potential for international secondments and permanent transfer. Furthermore, their graduate scheme does not require rotation, which was good for me as a mature candidate who wanted to settle down.
AtkinsRéalis values talent. I was unavailable to attend the assessment day for the role that I applied for and thought I lost my chance. However, they contacted me again and invited me to the assessment day for another role that they thought I was a good fit for. This was how my career with AtkinsRéalis all started.
AtkinsRéalis cares about their people. They provided me with support even before I started – they assigned me a buddy and gave me advice and all the documents that I needed to settle down in Manchester!
If you’re looking to transform your career, why not check out our latest roles in our Intelligent Mobility & Smart Technology practice?
+(1).png)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
04/01/2025
Summary
"I've always wanted to pursue an engineering degree. As a child, I changed my dream discipline as often as I got a haircut! Eventually, I chose Electronics and Communications Engineering and compl
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/25/2025
Summary
Hello, my name is Nikita. AtkinsRéalis is the first company I joined as a dedicated HR professional, where I spent over three years hiring talented, deserving candidates and supporting smooth or
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/24/2025
Summary
My name is Kamal. I was born in Lebanon, where I also attended school (below is a beautiful picture of Lebanon). I completed my university days in Lebanon, Texas and London. I'm a Structural Engin
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Snippet title Lire en français Meet Marc-Antoine, a structural engineer and structural inspection and asset management expert at AtkinsRéalis in Canada. Let’s learn about his passion for st
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/20/2025
Summary
Behind every successful project, from towering skyscrapers to cutting-edge industrial facilities, there’s a structured and efficient flow of information. At the heart of this process is the documen
.jpg)
Preview
AfricaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/19/2025
Summary
Architecture jobs in Egypt are among the fastest-growing opportunities in the country. Projected to grow by 20% by 2030, the market is booming, creating plenty of demand for visionary architects in
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/19/2025
Summary
Transport systems are the backbone of any economy. In India, they’re hugely influential for both connectivity and trade facilitation. Transport systems in India are projected to account for 40% of
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/18/2025
Summary
Imagine a career where your engineering expertise doesn’t just contribute to projects—it helps shape the world’s future. At AtkinsRéalis India, we offer you the chance to be part of groundbreaking
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/12/2025
Summary
Hi, I'm Lana. I hold a French engineering degree in geotechnical and civil engineering from Polytech Grenoble, which included a two-semester Erasmus+ exchange at Loughborough University. My journ
Preview
AsiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/11/2025
Summary
Sustainability is no longer a choice but an imperative for modern engineering. Today, it is woven into every decision, every project, and every goal. At AtkinsRéalis, we have the privilege to
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/07/2025
Summary
Hello, my name is Manali, and I work at AtkinsRéalis at the Global Technology Centre (GTC) in India. This International Women's Day, I want to tell you about my career journey, which has been as
.jpg)
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
03/06/2025
Summary
The state of the UK water industry Water is the foundation of life. It sustains communities, powers industries, and supports ecosystems—but across the world, this critical resource is under increa
