From mechanical engineering to leading client engagement and strategic delivery

Building confidence, connections and being a yes person: Pooja Shah, development manager based in our Ahmedabad office, shares her career story so far.

How did your career at Mott MacDonald begin?

I started my career at Mott MacDonald in 2007 as a design engineer specialising in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the mechanical team. Early on, I had an ambition to develop into project management and leadership roles. One of the things that attracted me to Mott MacDonald was the flexibility to explore different career paths.

What, and who, supported you move from design engineering into project management and business development?

My divisional director recognised early on that I was confident speaking with clients and that I understood our services well. He encouraged me to learn more about Mott MacDonald’s history and its capabilities so I could represent the business externally.

Within a year, I moved into a business development role while still delivering project work. This change gave me a lot of exposure to key clients, helped me grow quickly and build my confidence.

Can you tell us about an early client engagement experience that stands out for you?

My first major client presentation was to SRF, a leader in India’s speciality chemicals industry. I began by introducing Mott MacDonald to new leaders within their organisation. That was the start of a client relationship that has lasted 18 years and has grown alongside my own career. I continue to be the account leader for SRF today.

How has your design and project delivery expertise helped you in client-facing roles?

Working on the development of high-quality industrial facilities for leading global companies like JCB and Nestlé has given me a huge amount of hands‑on experience, which helps me speak to clients with confidence.

My design background means I understand technical details and can explain their significance to clients. My project management experience gives me visibility across a variety of integrated design and engineering specialisms, which lets me understand and communicate the bigger picture.

Can you tell us about what you learned from delivering a complex project during COVID?

Delivering JCB’s first major greenfield facility in India during the COVID pandemic was a significant milestone and achievement. Despite significant challenges, we delivered on time and achieved a gold rating under the national IGBC green building certification scheme.

I learned how critical coordinated delivery is, especially when working remotely and across different time zones. Integrating civil, mechanical and electrical inputs into one cohesive design was far more difficult with COVID-19 restrictions than in a normal office environment, but we made it work.

One of the toughest times emotionally and technically was when two of our senior civil engineers on the project passed away as a result of COVID-19. It was vital that we were able to quickly pull together as a team and take care to support one another emotionally. Teamwork helped us to maintain continuity for the client.

What aspects of complex projects do you enjoy the most?

It's always been my professional dream to deliver projects, which require coordinated delivery across many design fields: civil and mechanical engineering, HVAC, internal layouts, landscaping and sustainability and fire safety. These projects offer a broader perspective and create huge learning opportunities.

On a personal level, juggling project demands with being a mother of two is challenging. Working on high-profile projects can involve irregular working schedules. You have to be prepared to build strong relationships with the client at every level of leadership. Being available to answer detailed and high-level questions, builds trust and strengthens relationships.

What do you think is most important during the early stages of a project?

Clear conversations with the client. Understanding their pain points early – even those they’ve accepted as “normal” in other facilities – allows us to propose smarter, more efficient designs.

Effective masterplanning sets the tone for the entire project and can prevent issues later.

What career advice would you give to someone starting their career at Mott MacDonald?

Be proactive and stay open to opportunities beyond your core discipline.

The more experience you gain in design, projects, business development or whatever your chosen area, – the more confident and capable you become. It all helps when making decisions, delivering solutions and having conversations with clients.

Don’t hesitate to express your ambitions – Mott MacDonald values initiative.

Have mentors played a role in your career growth?

Absolutely – mentorship has shaped my career. I have learned a lot by working with senior leaders with different areas of expertise and management styles. It has broadened my understanding of how we drive technical excellence across the business and enriched my work for industrial clients in India.

One particular mentor over the past 18 years was Arpan Shah, who was divisional director until last year. He was a guiding force, encouraging me to take on business development and project roles that strengthened my skills.

In my team, there are many young professionals who also aspire to move from design to management and leadership roles. I hope that by telling them about my journey I can encourage and support them to achieve their ambitions.