Saeed : Designing the tools that keep nuclear work safe

I am a Tooling Engineer at Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRéalis company, where I contribute to some of the largest and most technically demanding nuclear refurbishment projects. My current focus is on the Cernavodă Unit 1 Refurbishment Project (C1R) and the Qinshan Units 1 and 2 Retubing Projects, designing, analyzing, and supporting specialized tooling systems that enable safe and efficient nuclear operations.


Every day, my work directly supports safe and sustainable nuclear power generation. This is a huge responsibility. One that I am proud to hold as part of an organization with deep roots in Canada’s nuclear program.

A career built on curiosity and capability 

My journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. 


I began my career as a lecturer and researcher in engineering mechanics, teaching both foundational and advanced courses. Alongside academia, I worked extensively with industry as an R&D consultant, leading applied projects in product design, manufacturing optimization, and engineering analysis across multiple sectors. 


When I came to Canada, I knew I needed to update my skills to get a position in a Canadian company. After a postdoctoral research position at York University, I was fortunate to begin my Canadian career. I worked as a mechanical design engineer in the aviation sector, strengthening my practical design, certification, and systems-integration expertise. 


In 2023, I joined AtkinsRéalis. I found a place where I could apply serious technical rigor while continuing to grow professionally. 

Solving complex nuclear engineering challenges

As a tooling engineer in nuclear refurbishment, I work on the design, analysis, refurbishment, and repair of C6 Removal Tooling Systems. These tools must operate in highly constrained, safety-critical environments. 


Some of the key engineering challenges I regularly address include:

• Radiological safety and worker protection 
• Material degradation due to radiation exposure 
• Fail-safe and redundancy-driven design 
• Tight spatial constraints inside reactor systems 
  
• Strict regulatory and nuclear quality requirements 
• Low-maintenance, decontamination-friendly solutions

Designing tooling that meets all these requirements, while remaining economical and reliable, demands creativity, precision, and teamwork. 

Learning from a team with diverse backgrounds 

What I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to solve complex problems while always learning. I work alongside talented professionals from diverse cultural and technical backgrounds. Those differences genuinely improve the solutions we come up with. 


At AtkinsRéalis, multiculturalism, inclusion, and mutual respect are not slogans. They are the backbone of how we work. I feel supported and encouraged to contribute my ideas, which motivates me to refine my engineering skills. 

Professional pride through excellence and planning

One of the achievements I am most proud of is my ability to consistently deliver high-quality work ahead of schedule. Planning ahead and staying disciplined are habits I’ve built over time. AtkinsRéalis actively supports and recognizes these qualities. 

Growing your career at AtkinsRéalis

What makes AtkinsRéalis a great place to work is its commitment to continuous learning and employee development. My role has continued to evolve as my skills and interests have grown. It evolves with your skills and interests as well as your own goals for your career.


The organization:

• Invests heavily in innovation and advanced engineering 
• Supports professional growth and lifelong learning 
• Values employee input to improve the workplace 
• Celebrates cultural diversity and global collaboration

Build the future of nuclear engineering with us 

If you’re passionate about mechanical engineering, nuclear tooling design, safety-critical systems, or large-scale infrastructure projects, AtkinsRéalis offers the opportunity to work on complex projects with real safety and engineering impact.


Explore open engineering and nuclear careers at AtkinsRéalis. Join us! And help engineer a sustainable future.