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Building connections: Sophie Tan’s journey at AtkinsRéalis 

Working in consulting can be a challenge, but for Sophie Tan, her time with the AtkinsRéalis Transport Advisory team has been a journey of growth, learning, and community. Her story is one of embracing opportunity and thriving in a culture that values development, collaboration, and making a meaningful contribution.

Starting a career in transport advisory

Sophie began her AtkinsRéalis journey in 2023. She was immediately immersed in some of South East Queensland’s most significant transport projects, gaining insight into how strategic and infrastructure advisory decisions impact communities. 

Her early assignments included the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP), where she started in operational readiness before progressing into integration. On the Cross River Rail (CRR) project, Sophie worked in systems engineering within the testing and commissioning team. For the Direct Sunshine Coast (DSC) initiative, she helped draft the concept of operations and later supported the systems engineering group during delivery. These projects exposed her to the difference parts of the project lifecycle- from preliminary design to concept and now in delivery.

Exploring diverse opportunities

A key characteristic of Sophie’s career has been the diversity of roles she has undertaken. Working across rail operations, systems engineering, and integration deepened Sophie’s understanding of how these fields interconnect. This was especially evident in her contributions to Brisbane’s infrastructure projects, where she moved between phases and saw firsthand how disciplines collaborate to achieve shared goals.

Making an impact through leadership

Sophie’s drive was recognized as a Finalist for the Australasian Railway Association Young Professional Award and completed the ARA Future Leaders Program in 2025. Beyond her technical roles, she is an active member of the Public Transport Authority ANZ Emerging Mobility Leaders (EML) committee. She has contributed to webinars, networking events, and professional development sessions. One creative initiative was organizing scavenger hunts in Brisbane and Sydney to help committee members connect and discuss public transport initiatives in their city.  

Thriving in a collaborative team 

Sophie highlights the supportive and talented colleagues at AtkinsRéalis as a key part of her positive experience. Her recent transition to the Strategic Consulting team further strengthened this perspective, particularly during a team vision workshop that sparked new ideas and clarified direction. She also values the company’s purchased leave scheme, which helps her live her post‑covid travel aspirations and maintain a healthy work‑life balance. 
 

Looking ahead

Sophie’s QTMP operational experience positioned her well for the strategic and cross‑disciplinary challenges of integration on the project. She aims to develop as a generalist with a broad, adaptable skill set, eager to keep learning across both technical and advisory roles. Sophie’s story shows how professional growth is built on technical achievement, collaboration, and a willingness to seize opportunity. 

If you also see yourself growing with the opportunities presenting themselves, click here to know more about us. 

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