How flexibility enabled Katie Nagel to return to a role she loves with Jacobs

Senior Systems Engineer, Katie Nagel, tells us how Jacobs' flexibility enabled her to return to a role she loves following a career break.

 

 

After taking a career break to focus on her three young children, Katie Nagel was at her wit's end trying to find a new engineering role that would offer her the flexibility she needed. But all was not lost! After spotting a Jacobs LinkedIn post about flexible working, she reached out, secured an opportunity and was delighted to start her new role with us as a Senior Systems Engineer in January 2024.

 

Can you tell us about your career story so far?

After graduating with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, my first Systems Engineering role involved working in the electronics bay at RAF Wittering. It was here that I realised elected public officials formed part of the Systems Engineering stakeholder group. I decided to represent my local area and was elected as a County Councillor in 2021.

What encouraged you to rejoin Jacobs?

I worked for Jacobs from 2012 - 2014 and have harboured a few pangs of regret since leaving. After having children, my job search has been like looking for a needle in a haystack…there is still a lot of ambiguity in the flexible working space, so I would apply for roles and attend interviews, but it would transpire that my desired work pattern wasn’t compatible with the role. I saw a Jacobs LinkedIn post talking about flexible opportunities, got in touch, and was delighted when we found a solution that worked for both me and the business.

How have your flexible working aspirations been accommodated?

I was impressed that the managers and recruiters at Jacobs were open to discussions about working patterns even before I reached the interview stage. My 15-hour working week across 34 weeks of the year allows me to continue to serve in my community, taxi my children around to their activities, and care for them during the school holidays. Being able to work remotely is of great benefit to me; office visits can be planned out in advance to make it easier to juggle the school runs.

How has the company supported your return to work following a career break?

I feel like Jacobs is really moving the dial on flexible working and career returners. In practical terms, I attended an online get-together with a network of career returners ahead of my start date. It gave me a warm feeling that there’s a support network in place – I love that Jacobs goes the extra mile with a support system for career returners, such as Bridge the Gap, which helps parents re-navigate the workplace after parental leave.

Can you see a clear career path at Jacobs?

I love the idea of career agility, and this is another reason I am excited to be back at Jacobs. Since having children, I feel like my career interests and motivations have shifted from what they were, say 10 years ago, and it's important to me to join a company that I can stay with long term so we can grow together. If I could develop my career here to a stage where I could bring in some of my experience in external relations, or training future leaders, that would be the icing on the cake. Being part of a global organisation also means that we could consider moving overseas as a family if the right opportunities arose.

Did you know that Jacobs offers ‘returnships’, which support people looking to restart their career after a break? Find out more about the options available at  or search all of our vacancies.