My Â鶹´«Ã½ Story: Building a career as a civil engineer with Ahmad Helmi
July 16, 2025
With a strong UK industry and academic background, Ahmad shares how he continues to advance his civil engineering career at Â鶹´«Ã½
In the My Â鶹´«Ã½ Story series, our designers, engineers, marketers, project managers, and leaders come together to share how their career journeys at Â鶹´«Ã½ have shaped their lives and moved them closer to their goals.
Tell us about your role¡
After completing my bachelor¡¯s in civil engineering at the University of Exeter and my master¡¯s in engineering for sustainable development at the University of Cambridge, I joined Â鶹´«Ã½ in July 2024 as a civil engineer with the Bristol Water team. I also had nearly two years of graduate civil engineering experience on site and in design offices.
During my first year at Â鶹´«Ã½, I contributed to three key projects. I designed a stormwater storage tank in Coventry, upgraded storm overflows in Leeds to reduce spills into watercourses, and designed gas pipelines for a project in Wales.
What attracted you to a career at Â鶹´«Ã½?
Stantec offers diverse and impactful projects that continuously challenge and inspire me. The strong emphasis on professional development, mentorship, and collaborative teamwork fosters an ideal environment for skill enhancement and career growth, while enabling meaningful contributions to resilient, sustainable communities.
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How has your personal and professional development been supported at Â鶹´«Ã½?
I¡¯ve been supported through opportunities to work with increased independence and higher responsibilities. I¡¯m involved in major water infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects that expand my skills. The collaborative environment and experienced mentors provide valuable guidance and feedback. Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s commitment to career progression is clear through strong support for my Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) journey towards chartership, helping me build technical Â鶹´«Ã½ and leadership abilities. I¡¯ve also had the chance to engage with different teams across the UK, broadening my perspective and enhancing my adaptability in delivering successful project outcomes.
With strong mentorship, career development opportunities, and a culture that values innovation and inclusion, Â鶹´«Ã½ empowers individuals to grow both personally and professionally while making a real difference in communities worldwide.
What has been the standout project for you during your time at Â鶹´«Ã½?
One of my standout projects was the detailed design of the stormwater storage tank at Unicorn Lane in Coventry with Severn Trent Water. I took ownership of the civil elements of the tank and associated drainage. This gave me hands-on experience with applying detailed design principles, preparing drawings, complying with technical standards, and writing design reports to support technical approval. It was a multidisciplinary project requiring close collaboration with mechanical, electrical, and environmental teams and coordination with the contractor, client, and planning authority. This experience strengthened my technical capabilities, deepened my understanding of water infrastructure design, and improved my ability to manage interfaces and communicate effectively with participants to understand their various needs.
What are your ambitions for your future at Â鶹´«Ã½?
I aim to become a chartered engineer with ICE while continuing to grow technically and professionally. I'm keen to explore more avenues for collaboration across Â鶹´«Ã½ teams, gaining exposure to a wider range of projects and disciplines. I also hope to take on more responsibility that can pave my way to progress onto a senior civil engineer level, contribute to mentoring others, and help deliver sustainable, impactful solutions that support both community needs and Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s long-term vision.
What are your passions outside of work?
Outside of work, I¡¯m passionate about fitness activities such as running, cycling, swimming, and gym training, which help me stay active and focused. I also enjoy travelling to explore new places, socialising with friends, and meeting new people.
Why should others join the Â鶹´«Ã½ team?
Stantec offers a supportive and collaborative environment where you can work on diverse, impactful projects that drive sustainable solutions. With strong mentorship, career development opportunities, and a culture that values innovation and inclusion, Â鶹´«Ã½ empowers individuals to grow both personally and professionally while making a real difference in communities worldwide. It¡¯s an ideal place for ambitious engineers seeking meaningful challenges and an exciting career journey.
At Â鶹´«Ã½, we put people first. For Ahmad, that means being encouraged to take on new challenges that foster his professional growth and expand his skills.?
