Insights My career as a town planner: #EngineeringNetZero on Sizewell C and beyond

Hello, I'm Avigayil. I've been a town planner for five years and have worked with AtkinsRéalis for two years. I currently provide planning and environmental support to a wide range of projects being completed on Sizewell C, a nuclear power station in East Suffolk.

Collaborating with ecologists, climate change experts, and GIS consultants on Sizewell C

My day-to-day activities vary, and previous tasks have included writing a planning proposal for creating new habitats to enhance wildlife and reviewing the DCO requirements relating to environmental monitoring. This variety of work exposes me to a diverse group of professionals. I work closely alongside ecologists, climate change experts, GIS consultants, designers, and engineers. This is my favorite thing about working at AtkinsRéalis. The daily interactions with a wide variety of people with niche technical expertise constantly give you new insights and fresh perspectives.

Endless opportunities to grow technical and commercial skills in environmental planning

There are so many different projects within the company that the opportunities to pursue your particular interests are endless. Whether you want to develop discipline-specific technical knowledge or lead on commercial aspects of the business, team members are always ready to help you meet these aspirations. For example, having expressed interest in working on projects related to ports and piers, I expanded my technical knowledge of coastal areas. On a commercial level, I wrote proposals to win and deliver work. This improved my commercial awareness and helped me better understand the costs of the different tasks in delivering large infrastructure projects.

Sustainable tourism field trip to the Red Sea: Insights into global planning

A highlight of my career with AtkinsRéalis so far was a two-week field trip to Saudi Arabia, where I was tasked with creating a variety of tourist trails demonstrating the potential heritage, history, and nature of the Red Sea Zone, a tourism megaproject in the desert focussed on sustainability. The trip also included a visit to a solar farm, which highlighted the infrastructure required to develop the megaproject. This experience allowed me to work on-site with professionals who deeply understand the land's history and heritage and, therefore, understand how to balance development with local needs. Additionally, it gave me insight into how planning systems operate in different countries.

Enjoy a supportive, inclusive workplace at AtkinsRéalis

The team environment is incredibly friendly, supportive, and fun. Colleagues are always ready to lend a hand, whether offering guidance on a project, giving you general career advice, encouraging you to go for opportunities, or sharing a laugh during a coffee break. The supportive atmosphere fosters professional development and personal connections, making work both rewarding and enjoyable. Team lunches, trips to the pub, and office social activities are a regular part of life at AtkinsRéalis.

If you want to work on a wide variety of projects, take responsibility for your career path, and work in a supportive team environment, I recommend joining us: Browse these fantastic roles today.