Ravi Uppar: working on-site in a live operational environment is never boring

How childhood site visits made a big impression

Principal structural engineer Ravi first discovered his passion for engineering on site visits as a child with his father. He still enjoys being at the heart of the action, ready to solve on-site challenges.

How did you find yourself in engineering and what were your early experiences?

My path into engineering started long before I realised it. My father was a builder and as a child I accompanied him to construction sites in Hubli, Karnataka, India. That early exposure sparked my fascination with how an empty plot could transform into a building.

After completing my engineering degree in India, I moved to the UK to pursue a Master’s degree. Following the successful completion of my MSc I gained 13 years of professional experience in the UK. In the early stages of my career, I worked with smaller consultancies as a structural engineer, gaining experience in managing projects from initial client enquiries through to design and invoicing.

Over time, I progressed to more complex “cut- and- carve” projects, essentially refurbishing existing buildings and strengthening or reconfiguring them to meet new demands.

I joined Mott MacDonald in Cambridge as a senior structural engineer in 2017, where I designed a number of buildings in front of Cambridge train station, something I’m still proud of today.

What’s your current role at Mott MacDonald and what are you working on?

In 2021, I took up an opportunity to relocate to the UAE and work on a range of exciting projects. I am currently serving as a senior resident engineer on a major redevelopment of the Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai’s busiest shopping destinations, where I oversee day-to-day site activities and address on-site challenges as they arise.

What do you enjoy about site work?

Site work is never boring. Every day I’ll have several challenges to solve. People come to me with queries or ask me to dig out historical information.

A common challenge in building projects is the gap between existing site conditions and new design assumptions. When unexpected or non-standard issues arise, they must be addressed quickly to prevent delays and cost impacts. This often means carrying out a site survey and revising the structural design within the same day to ensure it accurately reflects the reality on site.

On the Mall of the Emirates project, one of Mott MacDonald’s strengths is that we were the original structural lead when the mall was built almost 20 years ago and we have supported it ever since. That historical knowledge allows us to make informed decisions quickly because we understand its structure, behaviour and constraints.

How does on-site work give you a different perspective?

When you’re on-site you really appreciate the scale of the project and the speed of construction. Working in a live operational environment also makes you very aware that every decision must be precise, safe and fast.

Being physically present on-site allows us to safeguard the client’s operations, maintain trust and keep the programme moving without disruption. I would recommend that every engineer spends time on-site during their career for several weeks or months even if it’s not continuous.

When have you managed to drive innovation on projects?

I like to challenge how we do things, particularly if there is an opportunity to reduce repetitive, manual tasks. There’s a saying that lazy people are the most creative because they want to find easier ways to work.

On a previous project, I was responsible for managing a team of engineers who carried out structural surveys on buildings for a client. One of the key improvements I introduced was shifting from physical to digital inspections. During COVID-19, site access was restricted and we needed a way to maintain progress without compromising quality.

Using in house software, we recorded inspections digitally, directly from our phones. This approach improved accuracy, reduced delays and gave clients real- time visibility of progress. We later customised the tool to meet specific client requirements.

What advice would you give young engineers starting out?

My mantra is: always give an extra 10%. Not in hours, but in focus, dedication and quality. When you put your heart into your work, you enjoy it more. And when you enjoy the work, you grow faster.

The first three to four years of your career are your golden learning years. If you can work on diverse projects across different engineering disciplines it builds a strong foundation. Combine technical knowledge with practical experience – both are essential.

You’re involved in the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE), why do you support chartership?

I believe chartership plays an important role in helping engineers become well-rounded professionals. It focuses on key attributes, such as independent judgement, responsibility for safety and sustainability and ethical practice, while also helping to identify areas for further development.

I encourage my colleagues to pursue chartership with the ICE or any relevant professional institution. It’s not just about obtaining a qualification – it’s the development process that helps individuals become better engineers.