Sujay Sujatharan
Interface and integrations manager, SJ Group
Expertise
Project Management, DesignLocation
UAEMy highlights
Becoming a Chartered Civil Engineer
Working across the UK, Middle East, and South Asia
Playing key roles on landmark schemes such as Crossrail, Etihad High-Speed Rail and Dhaka Metro
A day in my life
A typical day starts with meeting client representatives to discuss project progress, resolve technical issues, and align on key decisions.
I then review engineering designs produced by multidisciplinary teams, ensuring they meet project requirements, relevant standards, and quality expectations.
A significant part of my role involves checking the interfaces between different engineering disciplines and contract packages, identifying potential conflicts early and coordinating solutions before they affect delivery.
Throughout the day, I chair progress meetings with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to monitor programmes, manage risks, track actions, and ensure the project remains on schedule.
Every day is centred around collaboration, technical leadership, and proactive problem-solving to successfully deliver complex transportation infrastructure projects.
The projects you help deliver benefit not only you and your family, but also your city, your country, and communities around the world.
I would recommend a career in civil engineering because…
It's one of the few professions that touches almost every aspect of our daily lives.
It shapes where people live, work, travel, and connect with one another.
From roads, railways, and bridges to buildings, tunnels, water systems, and public spaces, civil engineering provides the infrastructure that keeps society moving.
What makes it especially rewarding is knowing that the work you do has a real and lasting impact. The projects you help deliver benefit not only you and your family, but also your city, your country, and communities around the world.
Every piece of infrastructure improves people's quality of life, supports economic growth, and creates opportunities for future generations.
For me, that sense of purpose—designing something that will serve people for decades—is what makes civil engineering such a fulfilling career
We asked Sujay…
Who has inspired you throughout your career?
I was fortunate to work alongside several outstanding senior engineers during my time at Halcrow Williams.
Complete this phrase: I’m a civil engineer, but I’m also…
I'm also a keen tennis player and a travel photographer.
I enjoy the challenge and discipline of tennis, while photography allows me to capture the places, cultures, and landscapes
What about being a civil engineer gets you out of bed each morning?
The opportunity to make progress and accomplish something meaningful on the projects I'm involved in.
Every day brings new challenges to solve, decisions to make, and milestones to achieve
What’s one great thing that you love about civil engineering that you didn’t know until you started working in the industry?
One thing I didn't fully appreciate until I started working in civil engineering was the opportunity to be part of landmark projects that have a real impact on society.
It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to infrastructure that millions of people use and talk about, whether it's a railway, metro system, highway, or bridge.
It's knowing that your work helps improve people's daily lives.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
It'd have to be the Channel Tunnel.
Name one civil engineering myth you’d like to bust.
We don't just think about concrete and steel. We are innovative problem solvers.
Has civil engineering helped you overcome any personal hurdles/difficulties?
Yes. Civil engineering has given me the confidence to grow not only as an engineer but as a leader.
Throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams, make important decisions, and communicate with clients, stakeholders, and people from different backgrounds
What motivated you to become professionally qualified?
Becoming a Chartered Engineer was an important milestone in my career because it represented more than a professional qualification.
It demonstrates my commitment to engineering excellence, ethics, and continuing professional development.
What does being professionally qualified with the ICE mean for your career?
Becoming a Chartered Engineer has played a significant role in my career.
It helped me progress into senior technical and managerial positions by demonstrating my competence, professionalism, and ability to lead complex engineering projects.
Chartered status has also given me international recognition, enhancing my credibility with clients, colleagues, and employers around the world.
It has opened opportunities to work on landmark infrastructure projects across different countries.
What’s the best thing about being professionally qualified with the ICE?
Worldwide recognition.
What do you value most about being an ICE member?
Being part of a globally respected professional community that promotes excellence in civil engineering.
What’s the biggest/most complex thing you’ve made out of Lego?
The biggest Lego model I've built was a small spacecraft.
Although it wasn't a very large set, it had a lot of intricate details and required careful attention to the instructions.
I built it over the course of more than a week, working on it in my spare time.
I really enjoyed the process, especially seeing all the individual pieces gradually come together into the finished model
Sujay's career path
I studied civil engineering at university, then completed a masters in structural engineering.
Afterwards, I joined Halcrow William as graduate working on the Crossrail project.
I continued to work on railways in the UK and then, in the last seven years, I started working in South Asia and the Middle East.
Major projects
- Crossrail
- Great Western Electrification
- Four Lines Modernisation for Transport for London
- Dhaka Metro
- Etihad High Speed Rail
