Beyond design: How Sowjanya is shaping projects, partnerships and her own growth

When Sowjanya joined as a Senior Urban Designer just over a year ago, she expected to focus on creating great design solutions. Instead, she discovered an environment that encouraged her to do much more, collaborate across disciplines, take ownership, explore new technologies, and continuously expand her capabilities beyond her core role. 

Today, that journey is helping her shape not only master planning projects, but also her own professional growth. 

Bringing order to complexity 

One of the experiences that stands out most for Sowjanya came during the design development phase of a large master planning project. With several client presentations scheduled and constant design progress to demonstrate, managing competing priorities became just as important as the design itself.

Sowjanya focused on creating clarity by organising deliverables, anticipating risks, and keeping multiple teams aligned, she helped ensure the project remained on track during a particularly demanding phase.

For me, there's a real sense of satisfaction in helping complex projects move forward smoothly, she shares. It's rewarding to know that strong coordination and planning can make such a difference to the success of a project.

Impact behind the scenes 

Sowjanya believes some of the most important contributions happen long before the finished design is presented. Identifying challenges early, improving communication between teams, and finding smarter ways to collaborate may not always be visible, but they play a vital role in delivering successful projects. It's this behind‑the‑scenes impact that continues to motivate her, knowing that even small improvements can lead to stronger outcomes for clients, stakeholders and communities. 

Learning from every discipline 

A key part of what Sowjanya enjoys about master planning is the opportunity to work alongside specialists from a wide range of disciplines. Whether collaborating with infrastructure, transport, marine, sustainability or public realm teams, every project offers a chance to learn something new. 

The best outcomes happen when different perspectives come together, she says. 
That collaborative approach not only strengthens projects but also creates an environment where continuous learning becomes part of everyday work. 

Growing beyond technical design

Over the past year, Sowjanya's role has evolved beyond technical delivery. Working across complex projects has strengthened her communication, stakeholder management and project coordination skills, while also building confidence in leading conversations and taking ownership of outcomes. 

She has also embraced opportunities to explore new ways of working through digital and AI‑enabled tools, including Microsoft Copilot, Miro and other AI‑driven workflows. 

These experiences have helped her improve efficiency, enhance collaboration and gain a broader understanding of project delivery.

A culture that encourages ownership 

One thing that surprised Sowjanya most about AtkinsRéalis was the trust placed in individuals. 

"There is a real sense of ownership here," she explains. "You're encouraged to bring ideas forward, take initiative and make a meaningful contribution." 
The culture is built on collaboration, knowledge‑sharing and mutual respect. Whether navigating project challenges or exploring new opportunities, colleagues are always willing to share expertise and help each other succeed.

Thriving together 

For Sowjanya, thriving together means more than working towards shared project goals. 
It's about being part of a workplace where growth is encouraged, wellbeing is valued, and people genuinely want to see each other succeed. From supportive leadership and flexible ways of working to the opportunity to continuously learn and develop, the environment enables people to perform at their best while building fulfilling careers. 

Join us 

At AtkinsRéalis, careers are shaped by more than job titles. They're built through meaningful work, supportive teams, and opportunities to grow beyond what you thought possible. If you're looking for a place where your ideas are valued and your development matters, explore your future with us.