Four decades in, still growing: How Jagannath is shaping the future of Water at AtkinsRéalis.

For many professionals, retirement marks the end of a career. For Jagannath, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. 

After nearly 40 years in the water industry, Jagannath had already built a remarkable career spanning multiple continents, industries, and some of the world's most complex water infrastructure projects. Having contributed to major programmes across the UK, Australia, North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, he had earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike through his technical expertise, leadership, and commitment to excellence. 

Even after retirement, his passion for engineering never faded. He continued contributing to the industry as a consultant for the UK, United States and Australia regions, bringing decades of experience to challenging projects while sharing knowledge with teams around him. Yet, for someone driven by continuous learning and meaningful impact, there was still more to achieve. 

When the opportunity arose to join AtkinsRéalis Global Technology Centre (GTC) India in 2026, Jagannath saw more than a new role. He saw an opportunity to combine a lifetime of experience with some of the industry's most ambitious projects while helping shape the next generation of engineering talent. 

Today, as GTC Lead for one of the major Anglian Water Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) within the AMP8 programme, he is proving that growth doesn't have an expiry date, and that careers at AtkinsRéalis can evolve at every stage of life.

Delivering impact that matters 

One of the projects Jagannath is most proud to be contributing to is the Anglian Water Programme, a major initiative designed to strengthen water resilience across the UK. 

The project will help capture surplus river flows and store them for use during drier periods, ultimately providing water for approximately 750,000 homes while reducing reliance on environmentally sensitive groundwater sources. For Jagannath, it represents the kind of work that has motivated him throughout his career, engineering with a lasting purpose. 

The scale and complexity of the programme allow him to collaborate with specialists across multiple disciplines while bringing nearly four decades of industry knowledge to technical challenges. His role focuses not only on delivering robust engineering solutions but also on strengthening technical governance, supporting teams, and promoting high-quality, safe, and sustainable outcomes. 

Throughout his career, he has seen firsthand how engineering can improve lives. From wastewater treatment upgrades in the UK to desalination facilities in North America and water treatment projects across Australia and Asia, the outcomes have always extended far beyond project boundaries. Cleaner water improved public health, environmental protection, and resilient infrastructure are the real measures of success. 

For Jagannath, making an impact also means investing in people. Mentoring engineers, sharing knowledge, and helping colleagues build confidence in their capabilities are just as important as solving technical problems. He believes that the strongest projects are delivered by teams that are continuously learning and developing together. 

Finding belonging through collaboration 

Although relatively new to AtkinsRéalis, Jagannath quickly felt connected to the organisation's culture. 

Having worked with and mentored some colleagues earlier in his career, there was already a sense of familiarity. But what stood out most was the openness and willingness of people across the business to collaborate, share expertise, and support one another. 

Throughout his global career, he has seen that successful project delivery depends on strong multidisciplinary teamwork. Complex infrastructure challenges require process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation teams to come together around a shared goal. The most successful projects are built on mutual respect, trust, and a willingness to learn from one another. 

That same spirit, he believes, is clearly visible across AtkinsRéalis. Whether supporting Anglian Water's PDP, Sizewell C, or WRMP29 programmes, he has experienced a culture where knowledge sharing is encouraged and diverse perspectives are welcomed. 

He describes his colleagues as highly knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely supportive. It is an environment where people feel empowered to contribute ideas, challenge assumptions, and continue growing professionally.

A career without boundaries 

Few professionals can point to a career as global as Jagannath's. 

Over the years, he has worked across continents, gaining exposure to different engineering standards, project delivery models, technologies, and client expectations. From leading technical initiatives to supporting international assignments and specialist inspection activities during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic, he has consistently embraced opportunities beyond his immediate role. 

What makes his story especially inspiring is that his journey did not stop after retirement. 

Following an accomplished career, he continued contributing to the industry as a consultant to the United States, UK and Australia regions. Rather than viewing retirement as an endpoint, he saw it as an opportunity to apply his experience in new ways. That same mindset eventually brought him to AtkinsRéalis GTC India. 

The decision reflects a belief that learning and growth never truly end. Today, he continues to expand his own expertise while helping others develop theirs. His journey demonstrates that career progression is not defined by age, tenure, or job title. Instead, it is shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new challenges. 

For Jagannath, AtkinsRéalis represents an environment where experience is valued, expertise is shared, and opportunities continue to evolve. The chance to contribute to major AMP8 programmes while supporting technical excellence and people development aligned perfectly with his professional Values.

Thriving together 

Beyond projects and technical delivery, Jagannath believes that people perform at their best when they feel genuinely valued and supported. 

One of the aspects he appreciates most about AtkinsRéalis is the strong support network created by colleagues, leaders, and HR teams. Shortly after joining the business, he needed to travel with his family to the United States to attend his son's graduation. The understanding and flexibility shown by the organisation reinforced a culture that recognises that success at work and personal commitments can coexist. 

Experiences like these create trust, loyalty, and a genuine sense of belonging. They enable people to focus on doing their best work while knowing they are supported both professionally and personally. 

As he continues his journey with AtkinsRéalis, Jagannath remains inspired by the same purpose that motivated him at the start of his career: creating infrastructure that makes a meaningful difference to communities and future generations. 

His story is a powerful reminder that careers do not have to follow a traditional path. Whether you're starting your professional journey, looking to broaden your expertise, or bringing decades of experience to a new challenge, opportunities for growth can be found at every stage. 

At AtkinsRéalis GTC India, careers don't come with boundaries, they evolve with you. Explore our opportunities and discover where your journey can take you.