His journey shows how a curious young engineer became a thoughtful leader shaping how essential services are planned and delivered.
When Rajesh finished his chemical engineering degree, three industries caught his attention: oil and gas, manufacturing, and the environment. Water quickly stood out.
How it all started
It helped the water community welcomes emerging engineers. “There is a demand for young and aspiring engineers in the water industry. The good part is, the demand is only increasing as we evolve.”
Rajesh’s natural curiosity set his direction early. He recalls being labelled a “Problem Engineer” after enthusiastically unpacking a small issue. “I created five questions while I was assigned one small problem. This turned into five different problems that my seniors had to deal with.”
He later realised this was his first step into a root-cause mindset that he brings to all his work, describing this thinking as “the appreciative inquiry style.”
What he does today
Rajesh is now Practice Leader for Strategic and Business Consulting at Stantec, a national role focused on simplifying complex challenges for clients. “My job is to simplify complex problems faced by clients as they plan, develop and deliver essential services to the communities that we live and thrive in.”
Most of his work is with water and wastewater service providers, but his portfolio is broader. “I also work with other clients that are outside of the water sector but have interfaces with the industry… given most infrastructure is underground and often under main or arterial roads.”
What keeps him energised is the people. “If you are wondering what all that means, it is just a fun job of working with people and organisations to achieve outcomes after you’ve done enough engineering essentials.”
Connecting to the bigger picture
Like many early-career water professionals, Rajesh once struggled to see how underground, unseen infrastructure linked to the big picture. “Most of the engineering work related to water and wastewater happens underground and behind the scenes with limited public exposure.”
But one analogy reshaped everything for him. "Keeping water flowing and ensuring its safe removal is like the blood and digestive system of our body.” Once he saw this connection, his work took on new meaning.
“Everything I do is directly or indirectly impacting the communities that are serviced by the clients, every day.”
Rajesh still looks back fondly on one of his earliest projects, the groundbreaking Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai. He was part of the site team managing utilities across the island. “It helped me learn a lot about the practical application of the theories of engineering.”
Years later, returning on holiday, he felt a surge of pride seeing the system still running beneath the now world-famous island. “There is a column in the basement of the RO plant where some of us carved our names on as a mark in history.”
Why water is worth choosing
Rajesh’s advice for newcomers to the water community is straightforward: “Don’t consider it, do it. You will thank yourself 15 years from now with a sense of satisfaction and purpose driven achievement.”
And if someone isn’t sure, he’s more than happy to talk it through: “If you are not convinced, I invite you to a coffee chat.”
Every day still feels dynamic to him. “In my current role, every day is like a new chapter in a strategy game.” And the water community culture keeps him grounded. “I have been with Stantec for almost 15 years. The culture is addictive; the colleagues that I work with make the workplace fun and interesting.”
Rajesh’s story is a reminder that water careers may be hidden from view, but their impact is anything but invisible. For him, working in water is purpose, community and connection and a chance to be part of something essential.
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