At Sydney Water, engineering is more than just pipes, plants, and infrastructure – it’s fundamentally about people. The organisation firmly believes that for our cities to thrive, their people need to thrive first.
Every solution delivered improves lives across Greater Sydney, and behind many of these solutions are people whose careers are as diverse as the projects they lead.
For International Women in Engineering Day 2025, we spoke with three talented engineers: Melanie Werner, Belinda Bright, and Leila Ekraminaghsh.
Their stories reveal the passion, purpose, and persistence that drive innovation at Sydney Water, highlighting the importance of representation in shaping the next generation of engineers.
Melanie, Belinda and Leila from left to right
A passion for problem-solving
Each of these women took a different path into engineering, but they were united by a shared love for problem-solving and STEM. For Melanie Werner, the journey began with a fascination for maths and real-world impact.
Starting as a cadet with BHP/BlueScope Steel, Melanie studied Materials Engineering before completing a Master’s in Environmental Engineering:
“I really enjoyed maths at school and wanted to work in a field that involved solving real-world problems, so engineering seemed like a good fit. Following my studies, I worked in demand management, condition assessment and project management. Since joining Sydney Water, I have worked in the Customer space and now the Digital team.”
Leila Ekraminaghsh, who earned her civil engineering degree in Iran, was inspired by both family and curiosity:
“Growing up surrounded by engineers—my father, uncles and some close family friends—and driven by a genuine love for math and physics, I knew from an early age that engineering was the path I wanted to pursue. That passion shaped my academic and professional journey from the very beginning.”
Since joining Sydney Water, she’s been a part of a number of projects, each one supporting her professional and personal growth:
“I joined Sydney Water in January this year. Working on large-scale projects is exciting, but what truly motivates me is knowing that my work directly enhances the quality of life in the city I love. That sense of purpose makes every challenge feel worthwhile.”
Belinda Bright also knew early on she wanted to work in water engineering, but life initially took her elsewhere:
“From high school, I had a dream to work as a water engineer, but I started as a cadet in the steel industry. A chance opportunity led to a 17-year consulting career, improving productivity across manufacturing and service companies.”
In 2019, she finally made the leap into water:
“It was another risk as it was initially a short-term gig, but I was delighted to finally be pursuing my dream career.”
Building purpose-driven careers despite the challenges
Melanie, Leila, and Belinda’s stories highlight not only their technical skills, but the deep sense of purpose and alignment that comes from working at Sydney Water. Melanie shares:
“I’ve been here for 12 years and would definitely say the best thing about working here is the people and the constructive culture with a real desire to make and do things better.”
Belinda agrees, adding:
“I’ve been with the company for 5 years now, and it really aligns with my values and purpose – safe water is such a universal need. Everyone here is aligned to that purpose, and I love that we provide such a fundamental service to the community.”
While engineering can be an incredibly rewarding career, it also comes with its challenges, especially for women in heavily male-represented environments. Melanie reflects on her early career:
“As a junior engineer, it was probably having the confidence to voice an opinion and put forward ideas compared to more experienced colleagues. In more demanding times at work, it has been balancing family and work commitments.”
For Belinda, some of the biggest hurdles weren’t technical, but human:
“People sometimes question the value you can add because you don’t look like them, fit what they expect, or have the same years of experience in their industry. I focus on connecting as a human first. Once people see I genuinely want to understand their challenges so we can solve them together, things usually improve.”
Leila shares that while she hasn’t faced specific challenges, she advises others considering an engineering role to embrace continuous learning:
“Engineering isn’t just a four-year degree—it’s a lifelong journey of growth and improvement. Staying current with evolving tools, technologies, and now AI developments keeps the field dynamic and exciting.”
Collaborating on meaningful projects
Whether it’s drought resilience, environmental safety or operational excellence, these engineers have led and contributed to projects that make a real impact.
Melanie proudly recalls scaling up Sydney Water’s WaterFix Residential program during the last drought:
“We went from 700 appointments per year to 15,000, with support from the NSW Government’s Climate Change Fund. It was an important part of Sydney Water’s drought response and generated significant water savings.”
No two days are the same in engineering, and Melanie’s and Belinda’s experiences showcase this! With engineering constantly evolving, staying adaptable is crucial. All three women emphasised a mix of technical capability and soft skills.
Melanie taps into a range of sources like Gartner and InfoTech and attends conferences and training when she can, and advises:
“Drive, accountability, attention to detail, a solution-oriented mindset and good communication are all important.”
Belinda agrees and adds:
“Critical thinking, empathy, and adaptability. You won’t always have all the information, and things don’t always go to plan—sometimes you just have to make the best decision you can with what you’ve got. It’s also important to be curious! Read and talk widely and always put yourself in rooms with people who know more than you do.”
Advice for the next generation
So, what do these trailblazers want the next generation of engineers to know?
Melanie encourages:
“Learn as much as you can and be open to working in areas outside what you’ve studied. Engineering skills are very transferable, and it’s a great foundation to pursue your interests across sectors.”
Belinda is more direct:
“Do it! The world needs more engineers. The problem-solving approach you learn is super helpful in any career. Explore internship opportunities—they’re a great way to find out what sort of engineering work really excites you.”
Leila says curiosity and teamwork will steer you well:
“If you’ve already chosen this path, stay curious, ask questions, and strengthen your teamwork skills. These qualities will become your most valuable tools throughout your journey.”
Creating a Culture Where Everyone Can Thrive
The stories of Melanie, Belinda and Leila paint a picture of not just engineering excellence, but of a culture that values, community and opportunity.
This International Women in Engineering Day – and every day! – Sydney Water is proud to support women in engineering and continues to foster an environment where everyone can grow, contribute, and thrive.
