The lessons 23 years in engineering will teach you: Suraya Dolah’s story

Building a long and meaningful career in engineering takes more than technical expertise. It requires resilience, curiosity, and the ability to adapt, lead, and support others along the way. For Suraya Dolah, that journey spans over two decades, shaped by hands-on experience, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to delivering work that makes a difference.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Suraya is a Process and Utilities Lead at AtkinsRéalis, bringing 23 years of experience across operations and engineering design in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. As a certified Professional Engineer, she plays a key role in ensuring that complex designs are not only technically sound, but practical, safe, and ready for real-world use.

Delivering quality through experience

Suraya’s role sits at the heart of project delivery, where technical knowledge meets leadership and decision-making.

“My job is to make sure the process design works well in real operations,” she explains. “I review key documents, solve design issues, guide junior engineers, and work closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams.”

From early stages of proposals to project handover and post-delivery reviews, she oversees the full lifecycle of projects. In a lean team environment, her role also extends into business development, technical reviews, and ensuring overall quality and consistency.

“It’s about identifying risks early, maintaining strong engineering standards, and helping projects run smoothly from start to finish,” she says.

Engineering beyond the technical

For Suraya, engineering has always been more than a career, it has been a passion since her early school days.

“What excites me is how theory connects to real life,” she says. “Engineering is behind everything we do, and it allows us to solve real problems and improve how things work.”

But she is equally clear that engineering is not just about calculations.

“Engineers are all-rounders,” she explains. “We solve problems, communicate ideas, manage pressure, and work across different disciplines. You have to be flexible and see things from multiple perspectives.”

That combination of skills becomes even more important when navigating the challenges of the profession, particularly for women balancing both career and family responsibilities.

Finding satisfaction in solving problems

After more than two decades in the field, what continues to motivate Suraya is the satisfaction that comes from problem-solving.

“There’s a quiet sense of achievement when you see your work implemented,” she says. “When something you’ve improved or corrected works in real life, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Beyond technical success, she also finds meaning in supporting others.

“Guiding others, sharing experiences, and seeing them grow because of your input, that’s just as fulfilling,” she adds.

A culture built on trust and flexibility

One of the aspects Suraya values most about AtkinsRéalis is the trust placed in employees.

“There’s flexibility to manage your time and responsibilities, as long as the work gets done,” she says.

For Suraya, that flexibility plays an important role in balancing professional and personal commitments while still maintaining high standards of accountability.

“It allows me to stay productive and handle different responsibilities, but it also requires discipline. That trust creates a positive and supportive working environment.”

Empowerment that drives performance

Alongside flexibility, Suraya highlights trust and empowerment as key drivers of success in her role.

“We’re encouraged to take ownership, share ideas, and make decisions,” she explains. “That sense of empowerment makes you feel valued and confident in what you do.”

It’s an environment where individuals are trusted to deliver, while also being supported to grow, something Suraya sees as essential, especially for those earlier in their careers.

Advice shaped by experience

Looking back on her journey, Suraya has clear advice for the next generation of engineers.

“Believe in yourself, but also put in the work,” she says. “Confidence alone isn’t enough, you need to keep learning.”

She also encourages young professionals to find their voice and embrace challenges.

“Speak up, don’t stay quiet just to feel safe. Challenges aren’t there to stop you, they shape you.” And perhaps most importantly, she stresses the value of early career decisions.

“The first few years of your career matter. They help shape where you’ll go next.”

A journey still driven by curiosity

Outside of work, Suraya’s story is equally rich with personal moments, from rediscovering hobbies to learning how to cook curry during the COVID-19 lockdown, which has since become a family favourite. It reflects her personality, adaptable, curious, and always open to growth in different forms.

Professionally, that same mindset continues to guide her. Even after 23 years, learning remains central to her journey, whether through new challenges, evolving roles, or supporting others along the way.

For Suraya, engineering has never been just about building systems, it is about building confidence, capability, and impact over time.

Growth that doesn’t stop

With decades of experience behind her, Suraya’s career continues to evolve, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to making a difference. From solving complex challenges to guiding the next generation, her journey reflects what long-term growth in engineering can truly look like.

If you’re looking to build a career where you can learn, lead, and make an impact, explore the opportunities at AtkinsRéalis and discover where your journey could take you.