Meet Sanna, a senior engineer working in our transportation division.
What led you to your career at Costain?
"Being an East Londoner, I witnessed the construction of the London 2012 Olympics site. It was a fantastic development project and I was struck by the engineering skills that were evident on a daily basis.
"I felt inspired into a career in Engineering so completed an internship with a design-led engineering company. Once I had started my apprenticeship with them, I knew I wanted to understand how a design comes to life, so I decided to join Costain in 2019 as an Apprentice Site Engineer, to complete my apprenticeship.
"Costain caught my attention based on the variety of significant engineering projects they were working on, ranging from nuclear to rail to water. I had experience on the Tideway Project and Costain had a role available for an apprentice site engineer on the East Section of the project, so it felt like the right move and opportunity to bring the design I was working on to life."
How does your role contribute to improving people’s lives?
"Engineers have a crucial role in improving people's lives. In addition to working on Tideway, I have been lucky enough to work on a refurbishment project on Southern’s Water Framework at Burham, a clean water site supplying Kent. I worked on delivering the first refurbishment of the Granular Activated Carbon tanks as part of the critical remedial works required to the critical water infrastructure. The work is integral to ensuring Southern Water’s millions of customers have use of a clean, reliable water supply."
What’s your biggest professional achievement and why?
"Completing my BEng and MSc in Construction Management with first-class honours, all during a part-time study and whilst working on some very challenging packages of work such as on Tideway – notably the construction of the Combined Sewer Outflow at Greenwich Pumping Station.
"I have also been heavily involved with STEM initiatives showcasing the apprenticeship route as well as a career in Engineering – over the years I have been awarded many apprenticeship awards as well as sharing the stage with the Mayor of London discussing the need for investment in apprenticeships."
What do you enjoy most about working at Costain?
"Costain has a vast number of development programmes that you can enrol in, helping you excel, grow and develop your career, and I have relished the opportunities I’ve been given to develop on a professional and personal level.
"I completed Costain’s Empowerment Programme in 2024 which focused on how to reflect and lean into strengths at work. We also learnt from industry senior leaders in and outside Costain on how to navigate challenges and as a result, I’ve built a strong network of like-minded individuals.
"Costain also encourages you to transfer between sectors, allowing you to apply the skills you have gained from one project to another. The water projects I have been involved in - including Tideway and Southern Water’s CMDP Framework – have posed intricate design challenges. which have stood me in good stead for my current role in the Integrated Transport sector, where I am working on the refurbishment of an existing fly-over bridge in Essex."
What have you learned during your time at Costain?
"There are so many opportunities Costain has to offer across sectors and teams. Whether it be in engineering, project controls, delivery, or consultancy - there will always be a role within Costain that can be best suited to someone's career goals and aspirations.
"Costain deliver several critical national infrastructure projects which mean there is a continuous need to help deliver innovative solutions. As someone who comes from an under-represented group within the industry, this allows me to showcase my role and career into engineering, as well as the apprenticeship route."
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
"Look at the different career paths into engineering. The apprenticeship route was best suited to me as I have always been a practical person with visual learning, and it provided both practical learning during my site-based role and technical learning at university – it was the best of both worlds.
"I would also urge you to use your team to expand your knowledge and understanding, whether that be in the office or on-site. There is also no such thing as a silly question!"
Connect with Sanna on LinkedIn or search our careers page to learn about our current job opportunities.