Claire Pawlak – Digital Engineer Technical Lead
At BRS, we’re proud to have a passionate and motivated team that strives to combine technical excellence with genuine commitment, ensuring every project creates outcomes that make a meaningful difference.
Our ‘day in the life’ blog series is all about celebrating the people who make our work possible. This month, we caught up with Claire Pawlak, a Digital Engineer Technical Lead at BRS, to chat about what drew her to Digital Engineering and what her work looks like day to day.
1) Tell us a bit about yourself and what interested you in Digital Engineering.
During my final year of Civil Engineering studies in France, I worked as an Assistant Project Manager in BIM Operations. That experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of Digital Twins, not only for construction but also for the operation and maintenance of infrastructure throughout its entire life cycle.
Today, as a Digital Engineer Technical Lead at BRS, I work with BIM models and enjoy taking them beyond geometry by adding structured information and attributes. What I find particularly exciting is seeing how this data can bring models to life and support a wide range of applications throughout an asset’s life cycle.
2) What does a typical workday look like for you and what brings you the most enjoyment in your role?
A typical workday starts with checking the Sydney Metro package group chats to keep track of progress, prioritise the work and address any Digital Engineering comments. Once the priorities are clear, my colleague Lucinda and I divide the workload, append the required attributes, review the models and get them ready for issue.
What I enjoy most about my role is the great team environment. I also find it really rewarding to see that our clients are happy with both the quality of the data we deliver and how quickly we can turn things around. Knowing that our work makes a difference and that the team can rely on each other makes every day enjoyable.
3) What’s it like being part of the BRS Digital Engineering team? Are there any standout projects you’re currently working on?
Being part of the BRS Digital Engineering team is a very collaborative experience. I’m currently the Digital Engineer Technical Lead for Sydney Metro, which involves working closely with different Digital Engineering Coordinators, coordinating the delivery of a large number of packages and providing technical guidance.
Sydney Metro is also a great project to be involved in, as we get to see how Digital Engineering can support the delivery of a major piece of infrastructure.
4) What’s been the most memorable aspect of working at BRS so far?
The most memorable aspect of working at BRS has been the people and the team environment. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a great group of people who are always willing to share their knowledge, support each other and find solutions together.
I’ve also really enjoyed seeing how my role has evolved, from working with BIM models to taking on more responsibility as a Digital Engineer Technical Lead. It’s been rewarding to grow professionally while working on major infrastructure projects and seeing the impact of our work.
5) Looking back at your career, is there anything that has surprised you about working in Digital Engineering?
One thing that has surprised me is how much Digital Engineering goes beyond simply creating and managing 3D models.
I’ve been particularly surprised by how Digital Engineering can connect different stages of an infrastructure project, from design and construction through to operation and maintenance. It’s made me realise that there are still so many possibilities for how we can use digital information to make infrastructure smarter and more efficient.
6) Finally, what advice do you have for anyone considering a career in Digital Engineering?
My advice would be to stay curious and be open to learning, as Digital Engineering is constantly evolving. I’d also encourage anyone interested in this field to develop both their technical skills and their ability to collaborate with others.
Want to get to know our team a bit better?
Check out our other ‘day in the life’ blogs to learn more about our team.