Meet Suraj Paudel
What led you to a career at Duratec?
I’ve always enjoyed being involved in projects that leave a lasting impact on communities and critical infrastructure. My background in civil and infrastructure delivery has given me opportunities to work on complex projects, particularly within the Defence sector. Joining Duratec allowed me to be part of a team that delivers meaningful infrastructure upgrades while working with talented people who are passionate about what they do. Every project brings new challenges, and that’s what keeps me motivated.
How does your role safeguard and extend asset and infrastructure?
As a Project Engineer, I help deliver infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable and built to perform over the long term. Working across Defence, water, remediation and civil construction projects, I focus on asset longevity, resilience and operational value through careful planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management and quality assurance.
With a Civil Engineering background and a Master’s degree from University of Technology Sydney (UTS), I developed expertise in pavement and geotechnical engineering, including advanced finite element modelling. This technical foundation, combined with a focus on collaboration and practical problem-solving, enables me to deliver infrastructure that remains functional, adaptable and fit for purpose for decades.
What’s your biggest professional achievement and why?
One of my proudest achievements has been delivering Defence infrastructure projects while building strong relationships with clients, contractors and local communities. I’m particularly passionate about supporting Indigenous procurement outcomes, helping projects create opportunities for local Indigenous businesses and achieve meaningful participation targets.
Another key milestone is working towards Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) accreditation through Engineers Australia. I’m currently in the final stages of the assessment process and expect to achieve chartered status soon. This achievement reflects both my commitment to professional growth and the strong support and development opportunities provided by Duratec.
What do you enjoy most about working at Duratec?
The people are what I enjoy most about working at Duratec. There’s a strong culture of collaboration, support and continuous learning, with opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects. As a Project Engineer, I’ve gained valuable experience across the full project lifecycle, expanding my technical, commercial and stakeholder management skills while contributing to meaningful infrastructure outcomes.
What have you learned during your time at Duratec? What has inspired you?
What has inspired me most during my time at Duratec is the level of trust, responsibility and support given to its people. From day one, I’ve had the opportunity to take ownership of projects while learning from highly experienced teams, which has accelerated my development as both an engineer and project professional.
I’ve learned that successful project delivery is about more than technical expertise—it requires collaboration, leadership, communication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Duratec’s culture, strong growth mindset and investment in professional development have reinforced the importance of lifelong learning. The support I’ve received throughout my Chartered Engineer journey is a great example of this and continues to inspire me to keep growing while contributing to projects that make a lasting impact.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in their career?
Be curious, ask questions and never stop learning. Some of the most valuable lessons come from the people around you, regardless of their experience level. Take every opportunity to learn from colleagues, mentors and peers, and be open to different perspectives. Step outside your comfort zone, get involved, and remember that there is no such thing as a stupid question. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow and build confidence.
