There's No Single Route: How Mott MacDonald Helps Women Build Careers in Engineering

Mott MacDonald takes the view that careers don't follow a single trajectory and builds its people practices around that reality. This article looks at how the firm supports progression at different life stages: through leadership programmes for people stepping into senior roles, a partnership with STEM Returners for those coming back after a career break, and flexible working as a structural commitment rather than a case-by-case exception. Featuring employees across engineering and commercial functions, it explores what career development actually looks like in practice at Mott MacDonald.

Careers Designed Around You

How Mott MacDonald is creating space for people to grow, return and lead.

Careers don’t follow a single path - they’re shaped by growth, change and real life.
At Mott MacDonald, we’re creating the conditions for people to grow and progress in ways that evolve with them - whether that means stepping into leadership, returning after a break, or balancing progression with life outside of work.

Progression at every stage

Looking ahead to the next step - whether immediate or further down the line - access to meaningful development opportunities is key.

At Mott MacDonald, this is supported through initiatives like the Women in Leadership programme, which helps people step confidently into more senior roles. Through mentorship, sponsorship and tailored development, participants are supported to:

• Build confidence
• Expand their networks
• Navigate the transition into leadership

It forms part of a broader commitment to making progression feel accessible and achievable - not just possible on paper but actively supported in practice.

Seeing what’s possible

Representation plays an important role in shaping how people see their own potential - and whether they can picture themselves progressing.

Across Mott MacDonald, there’s a strong focus on celebrating success and amplifying a diverse range of voices. In 2025, two employees were recognised in the Women’s Engineering Society’s Top 50 Women in Engineering list - demonstrating excellence across both technical and non-technical career paths.

Natasha Khan, Nuclear Safety Engineer, shared:

“I’m honoured to be in the top 50 alongside so many brilliant women. As a Muslim female South Asian engineer, I’m well aware of the importance of visibility in increasing diversity in our industry. I hope my inclusion in the list shows others what can be achieved.”

Julia Barr, Principal Commercial Manager, highlights the value of different routes into the industry:

“I was really quite surprised to be included and it’s a huge honour to be recognised in this way. As a non-engineer - my degree was in law - it’s fantastic that the judges have recognised the critical role of business support functions in engineering excellence and project delivery. I will use this recognition to reinforce the message… that, with flexibility and understanding, great things can be achieved alongside challenging family commitments.”

Together, these stories reinforce a simple idea: there isn’t one way to build a successful career - and different paths should be recognised and valued.

Supporting career returns

Not every career move is forward in the traditional sense. Sometimes it’s about returning—after time spent raising a family, caring for others, or stepping away for personal priorities.

Through its partnership with STEM Returners, Mott MacDonald supports people returning to the workforce - helping rebuild confidence, refresh skills and reconnect with meaningful work.

For Mariam Thomas, Project Manager in the energy sector, that support has been instrumental following a five-year career break:

“Nuclear has historically been a male-dominated industry and, while change is happening, progress can still feel slow. For that change to be meaningful, we need more women in leadership, delivery and technical roles.”

She continues:

“Supporting women isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s critical to the future of the industry… I’ve made it a priority to share my journey openly - particularly my return to work after a career break - to show others what’s possible.”

Now mentoring others and advocating for flexible ways of working, Mariam is helping create more accessible routes back into the industry.

Flexibility for real lives

For many, flexibility isn’t a “nice to have” - it’s essential.
At Mott MacDonald, careers and lives are recognised as interconnected. Whether balancing leadership with family commitments, navigating a career break, or adapting priorities over time, flexibility is designed to enable ambition—not limit it, at every stage of life.

This approach supports long-term growth, helping people stay, develop and progress in ways that work for them.

Creating careers that work

Supporting people at work isn’t about a single initiative - it’s about creating an environment where different career journeys are understood and supported.

Because when people have the space to grow in ways that reflect their lives - and can see what’s possible for people like them - they don’t just build careers, they thrive.

And that’s the kind of environment Mott MacDonald is building every day.