Careers | Meet Deepthi Karmachandran, Electrical Engineer

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My career adventure at Aurecon

Deepthi Karmachandran’s career journey has been full of twists and turns, reflecting the various seasons of her life. In her current role as an Associate Electrical Engineer, she has finally found that elusive work-life balance.

We spoke with Deepthi about how she’s been able to redefine her impact for her clients while raising her young family and pursuing her passion for Bollywood dancing.

Name
Deepthi Karmachandran
Title
Associate – Power Transmission & Distribution
Location
Sydney, Australia

Can you tell us about yourself and your background?

I was born in Dubai as my parents were working there at that time. When I was nine, my family made the significant decision to move back to Kerala in South India. Adjusting to life and the culture in India was challenging, and I found it quite different from what I was used to. Early on, I resolved that one day, I would move overseas for work and settle there. From that moment on, every decision I made aimed to turn that dream into reality.

In 2004, after completing a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE), I was given the opportunity to do my master’s overseas. My mum suggested Australia since my aunt was living in Sydney, and I eagerly packed my bags and moved to Adelaide to study for a Master of Electrical Power Engineering at the University of South Australia.

Aurecon's hybrid work policy let's me work from both the office and home, allowing me to dedicate more time to work and be where I feel most productive.

What brings you joy?

For me, nothing beats spending time with my family and indulging in Bollywood dancing. I love dancing not only because it’s a great workout that gets the endorphins flowing, but also because it offers a wonderful chance to connect with my girlfriends, many of whom are part of the MACE alumni family. We bring our kids along to play while we dance, chat, and share laughs. It’s become a fantastic stress reliever, especially the laughter! A recent highlight was dancing with South Indian celebrities during the Onam cultural festival in Sydney – such an unforgettable experience!

I also genuinely enjoy my work at Aurecon. Being part of the energy team during this exciting time is truly rewarding, with plenty of innovative projects on the horizon. What we’re doing has the potential to enhance the security and affordability of energy for Australians – how many people can say they’re part of something so impactful?

"I believe it's important to hold time for the things that bring joy so we can bring our best selves to our work."

What does it take to be in the Power Transmission and Distribution team?

As consultants, it's essential for us to be resilient problem solvers and actively seek feedback from our teams and clients at key project milestones. Personally, I find great satisfaction in knowing that our projects perform well in the real world, not just on paper. Feedback is crucial for our professional growth and drives our innovation in tackling complex challenges. In our roles, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, and I strive to ensure that it’s a legacy we can all be proud of.

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Can you talk us through your career adventure at Aurecon. Have you had any unconventional opportunities along the way?

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to explore various roles within the power transmission and distribution team. However, I quickly discovered that secondary design is my true passion. I’m grateful for the diverse opportunities I’ve had along the way, which have allowed me to grow, pursue my interests, and face new challenges.

Recently, I worked on Project EnergyConnect (PEC), one of Australia’s largest energy infrastructure initiatives, featuring 360 km of new transmission lines, upgraded infrastructure, and four substations. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a project that provides safe, reliable, and sustainable energy for over 3 million homes.

Another significant achievement for me was establishing a secondary offshoring team in Vietnam. This initiative has been a tremendous success, offering greater flexibility in my work. I spend my working days reviewing secondary designs and drawings, then I can brief the offshore team on any new tasks or changes to tackle during my days off.

How has Aurecon’s culture enabled you to redefine your impact?

If you want to know about flexibility, you’ve come to right person! Hybrid ways of working and policies have exceeded my expectations. From the ability to work from home which takes away the travel time and allows me to dedicate more time to work and be where I feel most productive.

By working part-time and embracing a hybrid model, I can spend more quality time with my kids during school pickups and co-curricular activities, which are important to me. My family means the world to me, but so does my work. I feel fortunate to have a job I love, and Aurecon has consistently supported me in finding a balance that works for my life.

I can spend more quality time with my kids during school pickups and co-curricular activities, which are important to me.

How would you describe the vibe in the energy team?

It’s a fantastic team where we genuinely support each other and stick together. I think what I value the most is that everyone is respectful and genuinely interested in each other – our team is very diverse, and we have a lot of interesting opinions and experiences between us, and we enjoy sharing that. I’m also thrilled to see that we now have more women on the team than men!

I also enjoy what I do at Aurecon. It’s an exciting time to be part of the energy team; there is certainly no shortage of exciting projects in the pipeline. The work we’re doing has the ability to improve and future proof the security and affordability of energy for Australians.

In a profession where people can feel stuck in their specialisation, how are you supported to actively upskill, reskill and explore different career pathways?

It’s part of the culture of the team that we are encouraged to speak up about what interests us. This open communication allows us to pursue what we’re passionate about, ultimately leading to better solutions for our clients.

I feel like I’m always learning whether it’s through new projects or specialised training for new software. It’s rewarding to be at a stage in my career where I can help emerging professionals develop their technical skills too. I vividly remember my early years when I was new to both Australia and the industry. I’d like to make a positive impact like some of the leaders did for me back then.

My family means the world to me and I feel fortunate to have a job I love, Aurecon has consistently supported me in finding a balance that works for my life.

How do you keep the balance between work and life?

As a goal-oriented person, I love grabbing my highlighter to cross off completed tasks. Each morning, I start my day by writing a list that includes work goals to support our team and clients, as well as personal goals and activities for my kids. This routine helps me stay organized and ensures I’m delivering what’s needed in all aspects of my life.

However, as a working parent, I’ve learned to be more flexible give myself some grace when I can’t accomplish everything on my list. Life happens! I make it a priority to carve out ‘me time’ every evening, usually unwinding by listening to music and chatting with my husband or a friend on the phone.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Follow your heart and pursue your passions. It’s essential to enjoy what you do. Don’t be afraid to explore different avenues to discover what truly resonates with you. Whatever path you choose, be patient and stay focused on your goals, taking it one day at a time.

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