Meet Neethu, Geotechnical Software Developer

The journey of Neethu moving to Royal HaskoningDHV

''After my studies, I wanted to explore geotechnical engineering further and gain practical experience before diving into automation. This led me to work as a Geotechnical engineer, where I learned more skills and gained insights into the field. After having experience at a company that develops software to model geotechnical structures, I was ready for a new challenge.''

''Royal HaskoningDHV is known for its geotechnical expertise, and when I discovered there was a vacancy for Geotechnical tool developer, I felt this was tailor-made for me. Working at Royal HaskoningDHV, I have an opportunity to make use of my software skills and geotechnical background to make a meaningful impact in society. It brings a lot of value when I can automate manual repetitive calculations, thus making design process more efficient and saving time for technical engineers. I have a lot of expertise around me. We namely have around 100 colleagues in the infrastructure department. Within this department, I closely work with 15 geotechnical engineering colleagues..''

Working on a variety of geotechnical projects

''Bridging the gap between engineering and digital innovation, I work on a diverse set of projects for multiple departments (Water & Maritime, Mobility & Infrastructure). Think of developing tools for calculations or visualizing results. For instance, I contributed to a project to calculate bearing capacity, transforming an existing Excel VBA code into a user-friendly Python Tool. This was for a big infrastructural project, namely the Oosterweel project. In this way, I enhance the user experience and project efficiency, that gives me a lot of satisfaction!''

''With some projects, I do work with a bigger team. While developing software solutions, I collaborate with structural engineers and colleagues across different departments such as Water & Maritime. I have also collaborated with our colleagues from different countries, for example Vietnam and the UK. This helps in knowledge sharing and cross-cultural communication. On the other hand, if I create a small dashboard I can also do it by myself.''

Staying connected thanks to networking groups

''One group I am part of is the geo tooling team. With a group of about 7 colleagues, we gather to share insights, network and talk about challenging projects. Our mission is to create tools that transcend individual projects, ensuring they can be utilised across various contexts. Unifying these tools is challenging due to the unique requirements of each project, but together we remain committed to streamlining geotechnical processes through automation. Over time, the group grows thanks to new members. This fosters a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.''

The freedom to direct my own career

''First and foremost, I appreciate the freedom to direct my own career growth. At Royal HaskoningDHV, I feel empowered to choose the projects that align with my interests and aspirations. Whether it’s diving into automation, exploring new tools or frameworks, or contributing to innovative solutions, I have the autonomy to shape my professional journey. Moreover, the support from both the GE Tooling Team and my manager has been invaluable. They understand my preferences and guide me toward projects that resonate with my passion. It’s this collaborative and supportive environment that truly sets Royal HaskoningDHV apart.''