When Sushmitha DSouza was a university student, she attended a seminar led by a rail engineer who spoke passionately about the Metro Tunnel and other major infrastructure projects.
That seminar sparked a new interest, which DSouza has turned into a successful career.
For the past four years, she’s been working as a site engineer for Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), a role she loves.
She’s currently based at MTM’s main office on Collins Street, but she moves around based on project needs, with her project sites primarily located at Craigieburn Depot and Moorabbin Station.
“My role involves a mix of technical responsibilities and management,” she said.
“A typical day includes technical decision-making and problem-solving, managing stakeholders and ensuring clear communication across teams, conducting quality checks and site inspections, attending meetings with design and construction teams and aligning everyone to the same goals in an often-unpredictable rail construction environment.
“It’s a fast-paced job that requires adaptability and a strong focus on collaboration.”
The 29-year-old, who is originally from India but moved to Melbourne six years ago, said she likes the fact that working in the rail industry delivers tangible impacts.
“I have always wanted my work to have an impact that you can physically see and experience,” she said.
“Rail projects offer that in a very real way.”
After graduating from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) with a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, DSouza began her career working on the Sunbury Line Upgrade project – Sunbury Corridor Substation package.
She was based near Albion Station, where they constructed the brand-new West Sunshine Substation.
“One of the major challenges was coordinating with multiple stakeholders including the local council, VicTrack, and the Maltese Club to ensure everyone was happy to keep the project moving forward smoothly,” she said.
In the rail industry more broadly, DSouza said one of the hardest aspects to adapt to is the high-pressure nature of the construction environment.
“It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the volume of responsibilities and tight timelines,” she said.
“That is why I believe prioritising mental health and wellbeing is crucial. It’s essential to take regular breaks, use leave to recharge, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
“When people return refreshed, they are more productive, focused, and better equipped to handle the demands of the job.”
DSouza said she is grateful for the “incredible” team she works with and said there is a great culture of fun and wellness.
“They are supportive, collaborative, and always encouraging my professional growth,” she said.
“One of our daily highlights is announcing the ‘Highest Step Winner’ at the end of each workday, which is a light-hearted touch to the workplace that promotes healthy habits and keeps the team engaged.”
While the rail industry has traditionally been male-dominated, DSouza said this is slowly changing.
“To encourage more women to enter the field, we need to focus on a few key areas including visibility and representation,” she said.
“Showcasing successful women in rail engineering through talks, mentorship programs, and media can inspire others to follow similar paths.
“Creating inclusive, respectful, and flexible work environments where women feel valued and supported is essential, and we also need to be promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and engineering careers to young girls in schools to help build interest and confidence from an early age.”
Over the next five to 10 years, Dsouza sees rail engineering evolving rapidly, with a strong focus on sustainability, digital innovation, and automation.
“Projects will increasingly integrate smart technologies like predictive maintenance systems and real-time data analytics to improve efficiency, safety, and passenger experience,” she said.
“Electrification, decarbonisation, and expansion of rail networks along with interoperability to support growing urban populations will also be key priorities.”
To prepare for these changes, she is actively upskilling, staying informed about emerging technologies, participating in training programs, and learning from cross-disciplinary teams.
“I make it a point to stay engaged with industry trends and innovations through seminars, webinars, and professional networks,” she added.
“I recently read an article on smart sensors embedded in tracks and stations providing real time information such as wear and train of bogies, allowing for proactive maintenance and improved passenger experience, which I found interesting.”
Sharing some words of encouragement to any young people considering a career in the rail industry, she said: “Rail engineering is an interesting field that blends technical expertise with real-world impact, so it is important to build a strong foundation in both theory and practical application.
“My advice would be to stay curious, be proactive, and never stop learning.”
