insights Building a career in sustainable railway mobility engineering is a team effort!
Meet Laurence, Director, Systems Engineering, a woman passionate about innovation and public transit. Through her own experiences, she will offer her perspective on managing complex projects and the importance of collaboration in engineering.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your career path?
My name is Laurence Lebel. I’m a mechanical engineer and graduated from Polytechnique Montréal in 2013. I joined AtkinsRéalis at the launch of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project, where I had the privilege of working as Project Engineer, External Interface. My role was to ensure the technical link between the NouvLR and GPMM consortia, facilitating the coordination of 200 stakeholders in over 230 workshops. With only five years in a career, I led the collection of technical information and developed interface requirements essential for designing and operating the network, in a role that needed over 15 years of experience on paper. I have also led cross-disciplinary technical topics, such as evacuation route management and right-of-way access, to ensure passengers’ safety in emergency situations.
I’m now Director, Systems Engineering, leading a pan-Canadian team of over 55 people. Passionate about sharing knowledge, I’m committed to promoting engineering and education, convinced that these actions contribute to more sustainable communities. My commitment to innovative projects like the REM demonstrates my willingness to make a difference in mobility in Québec.
You received an award at the 2024 Grands Prix de l’Association Québécoise des Transports, and were nominated in 2024 for the Grands Prix du génie-conseil québécois.
I had the honour of being nominated for the Grands Prix du génie-conseil québécois in the Relève du génie-conseil (Consulting Engineering Rising Star) category, and winning AQTr’s Jeune Professionnel.le inspirant.e (Young Inspiring Professional). This is an important recognition of my work in engineering. Teamwork was critical to the success of the REM project and it was an honour to be part of this coordination effort in a high-profile role, managing interfaces. I’m pleased to be able to celebrate this success with my peers, proving there’s a place for young women in leadership roles in major infrastructure projects.
Why do you enjoy working at AtkinsRéalis?
What I love most is working with colleagues who are committed, motivating and open-minded. Being a young woman in a position of leadership can be challenging, but I can depend on my colleagues to guide me, offer advice and encourage me without putting restrictions on me. I’m proud to work for an organization that strives to develop the potential of its talents and I’m grateful for the opportunities to engage in the success of the company and our projects.
How do you demonstrate your leadership in managing complex projects like the REM, and what qualities do you feel are essential to inspire your team?
In managing complex projects like the REM, I show my leadership through a collaborative and inclusive approach. I teach the importance of grouping different stakeholders around a common goal, facilitating communication and organizing technical workshops to solve problems together. I believe the essential qualities of a good leader include being a great listener, having intellectual curiosity and excellent organizational skills. These strengths allow me to synthesize complex information and guide my team effectively. My drive and passion for engineering inspire confidence and motivate my team members to do their best. I firmly believe that a project’s success depends on a collective commitment and each member’s ability to contribute to the overall vision.
What were the main challenges you encountered during your work on the REM project, and how did you overcome them?
I encountered several major challenges while working on the REM project. One of the biggest was the coordination between the different consortia, each with their own objectives and working methods. To overcome this challenge, we set up regular technical workshops where all stakeholders may share their concerns and work together on common solutions. I had to quickly put together an entire team to manage these subjects, because of the amount of information given.
Another challenge was managing complex and sometimes contradictory interface requirements. I defined protocols to ensure clear and structured communication to gather information from different disciplines to create co-signed interface control documents. This required extensive discussions and attention to detail.
Finally, meeting deadlines while maintaining the quality of deliverables was also a challenge. As Head of Discipline – Interfaces, I had to prioritize tasks and measure the performance of the two consortia to produce and approve the required technical interfaces. Through rigorous planning and ongoing monitoring, we were able to proactively and transparently manage project risks at interfaces. These experiences have strengthened my ability to manage complex situations and adapt quickly to unexpected events.
What are your criteria for selecting new team members?
I focus on several key criteria when recruiting. I first look for curious people who have a great sense of logic and critical thinking, enjoy taking on challenges as a team and are able to work well with others. I’m looking for candidates with strong technical skills in engineering, who want to learn more and more about transit systems and sustainable development. I also assess their adaptability to a dynamic environment and their proactive approach to solving complex problems. Finally, I appreciate those who share our culture of innovation, knowledge sharing and commitment to sustainable development.
What would you say to a young graduate who is considering joining AtkinsRéalis?
I’m always amazed every time I have the opportunity to explore the depth and diversity of expertise at AtkinsRéalis, locally and globally. Beyond mechanical, electrical, civil, industrial, computer, nuclear, geological & mining engineering, and others, our teams include experts in project management, environment, hydrology, sustainable development, architects, landscape architects, geotechnical engineers, geologists, human factors, transportation planning, nuclear… the list goes on! It’s an incredible privilege to work with all these disciplines on various large and complex projects. You can count on a career at AtkinsRéalis if you want to learn every day and work with extraordinary people from around the world.
Are you inspired by Laurence’s journey and projects? Join our teams! Apply for our positions in Canada today!
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/25/2024
Summary
I'm Mei, a chartered engineer with extensive experience in water and wastewater engineering projects in the UK and internationally. I’m the Water Sector Lead and Project Director in AtkinsRéal
by
Shailaja Mantha
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/11/2024
Summary
Hello. I'm Karen, a Senior Programme Manager in Project & Programme Services at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. Born to Ghanaian parents and raised in North London, my journey has been one of resilience
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/10/2024
Summary
From engineering internships to leadership roles: My journey at AtkinsRéalis Discovering leadership through my civil engineering internships Allô, my name is Karolane. I work at AtkinsRéalis
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/08/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we believe that sustainability is more than just a goal - it shapes everything we do. For over a decade, our team members, like the one you'll meet today, have b
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/02/2024
Summary
In the rapidly evolving world of energy, having the right foundation in nuclear and net zero energy is crucial. AtkinsRéalis stands at the forefront of this sector, offering abundant opportuniti
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/01/2024
Summary
We interviewed Turki Ghesheyan on his experience with the AtkinsRéalis Saudi Graduate Program. Tell us a little bit about yourself My name is Turki, I am an Architectural Engineer who graduated from
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
At AtkinsRéalis, we have a team of local, regional, and international experts in the UAE who are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in the market to meet the needs of our clients. The UAE i
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hello, my name is Sherif, and I work at AtkinsRéalis in London. As a principal fire engineer, I'm proud to "engineer a better future" every day here, specifically as our work relates to shaping
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK since the 1990s. Technically complex and the country’s largest infrastructure project – our talented people from
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/30/2024
Summary
Hi! I'm Alina, an associate director specialized in transport infrastructure engineering. I lead the North-West Estimating team in Project & Programme Services here in Manchester. Over the past
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/27/2024
Summary
Across the evolving landscape of the Middle East, Architects play a large part in designing and planning complex building structures that are in line with groundbreaking innovation. The constructio
Preview
Middle EastContent type
BlogsPublish date
09/24/2024
Summary
In the fast-paced world of consultancy, architecture, and project management, the need for forward-thinking leadership and innovative strategies has never been more critical. At AtkinsRéalis, we
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Mississauga
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Mississauga
Description
Support EngineerAtkinsRéalis is one of Canada's largest private sector nuclear engineering groups. We have been providing a wide range of services to the nuclear industry in Canada and around the worl
Reference
R-122498
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Brossard
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Business support
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Brossard
Description
Rédacteur(trice) techniqueLe Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) est un réseau de train léger automatisé conçu pour simplifier les déplacements dans la grande région de Montréal. Le REM est l'un des pl
Reference
R-122464
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Calgary
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Category
Permanent
Location
Calgary
Description
Are you looking for a company that works on major engineering projects all over the world? Do you want to make a difference by improving the daily lives of communities worldwide? Are you seeking to jo
Reference
R-122412
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
North York
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Mechanical engineering
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
North York
Description
Are you looking for a company that works on major engineering projects all over the world? Do you want to make a difference by improving the daily lives of communities worldwide? Are you seeking to jo
Reference
R-122400
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mississauga
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Gurgaon
Mississauga
Description
Project CoordinatorAtkinsRéalis is one of Canada's largest private sector nuclear engineering groups. We have been providing a wide range of services to the nuclear industry in Canada and around the w
Reference
R-122387
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mississauga
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
The Society of Professional Engineers and Associates - Operations & Administration
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Mississauga
Description
PlannerAre you looking for a company that works on major engineering projects all over the world? Do you want to make a difference by improving the daily lives of communities worldwide? Are you seekin
Reference
R-122341
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Boucherville
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Ecology & environment
Category
Permanent
Location
Ottawa
Montréal
Boucherville
Description
Veuillez noter que cet affichage de poste a pour but de constituer une banque de candidatures pour des besoins futurs. Les professionnels de l'acoustique, de l'air et des changements climatiques d'Atk
Reference
R-122317
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Boucherville
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Geotechnical engineering
Category
Permanent
Location
Montréal
Boucherville
Description
Si vous êtes à la recherche d’un employeur qui a des projets internationaux d’ingénierie de grande envergure à vous proposer. Si vous souhaitez faire la différence auprès d’une multitude de communauté
Reference
R-122298
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Mississauga
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Health & safety
Market
Nuclear
Category
Permanent
Location
Mississauga
Description
HSE AdvisorAtkinsRéalis is one of Canada's largest private sector nuclear engineering groups. We have been providing a wide range of services to the nuclear industry in Canada and around the world sin
Reference
R-122297
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Jonquière
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Procurement
Category
Permanent
Location
Jonquière
Description
AtkinsRéalis est présentement à la recherche d’un(e) Spécialiste - Approvisionnement et Contrats pour un projet localisé à Alma afin de soutenir la croissance de l’équipe déjà en place et de contribue
Reference
R-122274
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more