“I grew up believing equality was simply the norm”: Hrudya on three generations of independent women, motherhood, and Chartership

Hrudya is a Geotechnical Design Manager based in Bengaluru, leading geotechnical design projects across the UK and Canada markets. She’s a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council, a member of ICE, the Engineering Net Zero Champion for her team, and a mother of two small children.

She’s also a trained classical dancer who once seriously considered it as a career.

“The lessons and passion never left me,” she says. “Although I eventually chose engineering, dance is still part of my days.”

Building a great base, in the ground and in people

Hrudya’s day-to-day work is infrastructure-focused. She’s currently collaborating closely with the Canada team on complex geotechnical projects, including exploring innovative and sustainable solutions for frost-susceptible regions. Her role spans technical design development, problem-solving, and coordination with multidisciplinary teams across geographies.

“In geotechnical engineering, what we design is often unseen, but it forms the foundation of all what we see around,” she says. “My typical day is all about building a great base, both in the ground and in people.”

Beyond project delivery, she’s actively involved with the ICE Bengaluru chapter and connects with student communities through the local chapter, giving back to the profession that shaped her.

A career that didn’t follow a straight line

Hrudya joined AtkinsRéalis in 2017 as an Assistant Engineer. Today she’s a Design Manager. But the journey between those two points wasn’t linear.

“I took two maternity breaks along the way,” she says, “but each phase has shaped me both professionally and personally.”

“While the pace of growth may not always have felt fast, it has been meaningful. AtkinsRéalis has given me the platform to grow not just in my career, but as a person too. Looking back, every experience, including the pauses has contributed to who I am today.”

The most defining moment came when she signed a Training Agreement with AtkinsRéalis and ICE, supporting her journey to Chartered Engineer status. Earning her CEng was particularly meaningful because it came alongside significant life milestones.

“It reinforced my belief that career progression does not have to follow a straight line to be successful.”

One of her mentors who made that possible was her Practice Director, Dr Naveena Chandrasekharajah, who was also her line manager when she joined.

“At a time when I was unsure about committing to the ICE Training Agreement due to personal challenges, he encouraged me to take that step. I still remember his words -that it would only take one focused weekend over a quarter, and that he believed I could do it.”

“At that stage in my career, he had more confidence in me than I had in myself. That belief made all the difference. His trust gave me the push I needed, and it ultimately shaped my path towards becoming a Chartered Engineer.”

The flexibility that made it possible

With her spouse running his own business, much of the day-to-day parenting falls to Hrudya. She’s clear about what’s made it work.

“The flexibility and understanding I’ve received from the organisation and my leaders have been exceptional. It has allowed me to continue growing professionally while managing home and kids, without feeling that I had to compromise one for the other.”

“Without that flexibility, sustaining and progressing in my career would have been extremely challenging. Instead, I was supported, trusted, and given opportunities to lead. That culture of empathy and outcome-focused working has made all the difference.”

Three generations

Hrudya’s connection to International Women’s Day runs deeper than most.

“For the last three generations in my family, our direct line has been entirely women; all educated, working, managing their families and financially independent, starting from my grandmother’s time. And then the men, their spouses, stood beside all their dreams. It never felt like ‘some empowerment’, but it was simply the life was. Supporting each other's ambitions under a roof. We’re talking about the 1950s through the 1980s and 2000s. ”

“Because of that upbringing and the partnership I experience now, I have been believing that equality was natural. It was only when I started seeing the world that I realised not every woman or every environment has that same experience. I always wanted to work for that, to normalise equality.”

“For me, International Women’s Day is about choice and freedom, the freedom for women to say yes or no, to pursue careers, leadership, family, or all of them, without discrimination or limitation.”

Her advice

“With our social conditioning, sometimes we might feel overwhelmed. It’s worth doing some unlearning, moving towards what’s actually ethical and righteous.”

“Balancing career and family may be challenging at times, take one step at a time. Take care of your mental and physical health too, that creates the positive ground for every step you take.”

“Give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. No need to compare. It’s all about resilience, clarity, and self-belief.”

Your next career milestone could start here. Discover roles that challenge, grow, and inspire, explore openings at AtkinsRéalis.