15 years at AtkinsRéalis: A journey defined by growth, people, and purpose.

When Atul first walked through the doors of AtkinsRéalis 15 years ago, he carried with him ambition, curiosity, and the quiet nervous excitement that marks the beginning of any meaningful professional journey. 

What he couldn’t have known then was how profoundly this organisation would shape him - not only as an engineer, but as a leader, collaborator, and individual. 
Today, these 15 years are more than a milestone. It is a story: one shaped by continuous learning, evolving responsibilities, enduring relationships, and moments that left a lasting imprint.

The foundation years

Atul’s journey began on the A400M project, where he joined as an Assistant Aerospace Engineer. The environment was demanding and fast‑paced, with expectations set high and excellence established as the norm. 

Very early on, he was immersed in a culture that valued accountability, precision, and ownership. Each day brought new challenges and with them, opportunities to grow. 

At that time, Reyaz Ahmed, now his current manager, was serving as the capability head. Through Reyaz, Atul was introduced to Nick Wells, then Head of the Aerospace Department at Global Technology Center (GTC).

That introduction proved pivotal, laying the groundwork for a mentoring relationship that would influence his thinking and decision‑making for years to come. 

Equally impactful were leaders such as Kamlesh Dewangan and Athar Sayyad, mentors who went beyond overseeing deliverables. They shaped how he approached problem‑solving, professional responsibility, and long‑term growth. Many of these relationships continue today, a testament to the strength of the culture he became part of. 

Lesson one: Mastery has no shortcuts 

Like many early‑career professionals, Atul was eager to progress quickly. To absorb more, deliver better, and move forward at pace. With experience, however, one enduring truth became clear: 

There are no shortcuts to mastery. 

Skill, confidence, and judgment are built gradually through patience, curiosity, setbacks, and steady learning. Growth is often quiet and unseen, shaped more by persistence than by visible milestones. It is this accumulation of lived experience that ultimately defines capability. 

A career shaped by evolution

Over time, Atul's career evolved through five to six distinct roles. From Assistant Engineer to Lead Engineer, from Project Controller to Assistant Project Manager, and eventually to Delivery Manager. 

None of these transitions came easily. Each required stepping into unfamiliar territory, building new skills, and accepting responsibilities that stretched beyond comfort. 

What made these transitions possible was the consistent culture of trust and support. With every new role came encouragement to learn, space to adapt, and confidence that growth was expected, not feared. 

Parallel to this personal progression, the organisation itself was transforming. When he began, Global Technology Center (GTC) operated from just two locations: Bengaluru and Gurugram. Today, it spans six offices, reflecting AtkinsRéalis’ expanding scale and global presence. Watching the organisation grow felt deeply personal- a shared journey of ambition and evolution. 

Lesson two: Growth lives beyond comfort 

The most defining periods of Atul's career were not the smooth or predictable ones.

They were moments of uncertainty when responsibilities outweighed readiness, when discomfort demanded resilience, and when learning accelerated under pressure.

Each of those moments reinforced the same lesson: true growth begins where comfort ends.

The enduring power of people 

- Technical skills evolve. 

- Systems advance. 

- Tools and methodologies change. 

But it is people who give meaning to a career. Across roles and projects, colleagues became collaborators, mentors became trusted guides, and teams grew into communities bound by shared purpose. What stands out most is the organization’s culture built on trust, integrity, and a genuine desire to see people succeed. 

That culture, consistent and steadfast, became the anchor that grounded his journey.

Lesson three: Culture sustains long‑term success 

Longevity is rarely driven by opportunity alone. It is sustained by environments where people are challenged constructively, supported through difficulty, and encouraged to grow not just professionally, but personally.

Culture is not shaped in policies or statements. It is built quietly, every day, through actions, relationships, and leadership choices. This culture is the reason fifteen years felt not repetitive, but enriching.

Looking ahead with clarity 

Questions often arise about long tenures, about stagnation or comfort. His experience has been the opposite. He feels grounded, not static. Confident, not complacent. Enriched, not constrained. 

There is strength in institutional knowledge, understanding systems deeply, navigating complexity thoughtfully, and leading with empathy shaped by experience. 

As AtkinsRéalis continues to evolve through digital transformation, emerging technologies, and shifting global needs, he sees opportunity to contribute with greater depth, to lead with perspective, and to support the next generation of professionals.

A moment of gratitude

Fifteen years have offered lessons that extend far beyond work - lessons in resilience, integrity, and growth. And as this milestone is reached, one feeling stands above all others - gratitude for what has been, and optimism for what lies ahead. It has led to Atul appreciating his mentors for their trust, guidance before it was expected. Appreciation towards his team for the collaborations, respect & shared standard of excellence. And finally to his team for their trust and inspiration that shape each day.  

“A career is not built in defining moments alone- it is built in the quiet consistency of showing up, learning continuously, and choosing to give your best, every single day.”Atul says. 

If you’re seeking a place where growth is intentional, learning is continuous, and people are genuinely invested in one another’s success, this is where your journey can take shape. Join our team at AtkinsRéalis and build a career defined by purpose, progress, and people.