Looi Cheng Hui: building a career by questioning what's possible

From early opportunities to helping shape major transport projects across Singapore

Looi Cheng Hui, a principal transport engineer in Singapore, is helping deliver some of the country's most complex road and rail infrastructure projects. Known for finding practical solutions to challenging construction and traffic constraints, he has helped accelerate major projects, strengthen client relationships and improve outcomes for communities. Through global collaboration, leadership opportunities and a commitment to continuous learning, Looi is building a career focused on innovation, excellence and empowering others to succeed.

What do you do at Mott MacDonald and what are you currently working on?

I’m a principal transport engineer based in Singapore, working on major road and rail infrastructure projects. For the North-South Corridor N106 and N107 road projects, I led the design of traffic plans, highway alignments, drainage and sewerage systems for both temporary and reinstatement stages. For the Elias Station and Tunnels rail project, I focus on design management and support project delivery to ensure quality and timely outcomes.

Tell us about a recent project and how you delivered excellence?

The North-South Corridor projects involve constructing a cut-and-cover tunnel beneath live traffic, requiring extensive traffic and utility diversions. I collaborated with our Mott MacDonald team, the contractor and authority to design an alternative at-grade road system that eliminated a flyover diversion. This solution helped the project recover two years of delays caused by COVID-19, delivering technical excellence while strengthening client trust and communication. Our approach was the first implemented across the corridor and was later adopted by other contracts, accelerating progress on multiple fronts. More recently, I also worked with the N106 team to apply a similar diversion, enabling faster construction.

What advice would you give to someone looking to shape their own story at Mott MacDonald?

Always be curious, flexible and open-minded. Don’t limit yourself to your own discipline, as your skills and experience are transferable. Seek opportunities to work across different types of projects to broaden your perspective and grow professionally. Connect with experienced colleagues and find a mentor if you don’t have one. Stay true to your values, take the initiative to shape your career journey and always reach out to your line manager for support when needed.

What opportunities have you had to grow your specialism or develop your career here?

I had the opportunity to be involved in the Global Design and Build (D&B) Improvement Programme as an early career professional (ECP), supporting the Projects Working Group to enhance our D&B delivery capability. This experience broadened my understanding of the global business, exposed me to best practice from other offices and strengthened my ability to apply innovative solutions. It also helped me develop collaboration and leadership skills by working with diverse teams across regions to drive improvements in project delivery.

During my time at Mott MacDonald, I have also had the opportunity to earn my chartership with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) – a significant milestone in my professional journey. On top of that, in 2023 I received the Young Consulting Engineer of the Year Award from the Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore (ACES) which was an incredible honour, as it recognised years of hard work and passion for delivering excellence in engineering.

Looi receiving his ICE chartership 

How does Mott MacDonald’s trust in its people influence your approach to your work?

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Mott MacDonald is the level of trust given to individuals. Throughout my career, I’ve been given opportunities to take on meaningful responsibilities, lead teams and contribute to major infrastructure projects. Knowing that people trust me to take ownership and make decisions motivates me to do the same for others. It has shaped how I lead today by empowering people, giving them room to grow and supporting them when they step outside their comfort zone.

Can you share a project you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of and explain why it stands out to you?

During the design stage of the North-South Corridor project, I saw an opportunity to remove the planned temporary Marymount Flyover, which would significantly simplify the construction works. I spent time studying the road alignment, traffic arrangements and construction staging to determine whether an alternative approach was feasible. Working closely with the wider team, we refined the scheme and successfully secured the necessary authority approvals to implement it. What I’m most proud of is seeing an idea progress from a concept to an approved solution that reduced construction complexity, shortened the programme and delivered meaningful benefits to the project and the public.

What does being part of a global team mean to you and how does it influence your work?

Being part of a global team has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I work closely with colleagues from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Australia and Hong Kong, and we all bring different experiences and perspectives. It constantly reminds me that there is rarely only one way to solve a problem. I’ve learned a great deal from people with different technical backgrounds and working styles and I enjoy seeing how diverse teams can come together to deliver something much bigger than any one individual could achieve alone.

What resources or support at Mott MacDonald have been most beneficial to your growth?

For me, the biggest factor has been the people. I’ve been fortunate to work with colleagues who generously share their knowledge, challenge my thinking and support one another in delivering complex projects. I’ve also been given opportunities to lead major projects, collaborate with specialists from different disciplines and regions, and engage with professional institutions such as Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Singapore and Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore (ACES). These experiences have broadened my perspective, expanded my professional network and helped me grow both as an engineer and as a leader. The combination of supportive colleagues, challenging projects and professional development opportunities has played a significant role in my growth.