.jpg)
At Veolia, we invest in developing engineering talent through hands-on learning, mentorship, and technical excellence. A recent training session at our Life Science Centre of Excellence brought together engineers from across Europe to deepen their understanding of ultrapure water systems - vital to life science and pharmaceutical industries.
We spoke with Emna Zayani, Emily Pieniak and Zuzanna Ptasinska, three engineers who participated in the Centre’s technical training, to hear more about their experiences, what motivates them and how they’re helping shape the future of sustainable water solutions…
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
Zuzanna: I’ve always wanted to be an engineer like my father. I was passionate about mathematics and wanted to do something meaningful and so studying Environmental Engineering felt like the right way to meaningfully contribute to real-world solutions for complex environmental challenges.
Emna: Growing up in Sfax, Tunisia, where water scarcity is part of daily life, I saw firsthand the need for better water systems. That experience made engineering feel less like a career choice and more like a responsibility and duty.
Q: What does your current role in Veolia involve?
Emily: I’m a Field Service Engineer in the pharma and life science sector. I work on equipment servicing and troubleshooting across different sites, making sure our UPW systems run reliably and efficiently.
Zuzanna: I actually wear two hats at the moment: Junior Business Development Engineer and Sustainability Consultant. I work on lab water solutions and digital platforms and help clients select technologies that align with their needs and sustainability goals.
Emna: I’m currently a Sales Engineer supporting pharma clients. I help identify the most appropriate technologies for purified water generation and guide clients through their project journey, from early discussion to solution design.
Q: What was the main focus of the training at the Life Science Centre of Excellence?
Emily: It was focused on ultrapure water systems, learning all about UPW generation, storage and distribution. The training reinforced the equipment knowledge I use every day and really helped me connect the theoretical side of things to hands-on practice.
Zuzanna: What stood out for me was being able to see all the devices and technologies operating in one place. That kind of exposure is rare in the field and it gave me a broader understanding of the full system cycle.
Q: What did you find most valuable about the experience?
Emna: The training gave me a deeper appreciation of how every component contributes to regulatory compliance. Understanding that made me more confident in advising clients on both performance and compliance aspects.
Zuzanna: Being able to apply new knowledge immediately was great - seeing how schematics connect to live system behaviour made the learning that much more impactful.
Emily: It was the perfect mix of theory and real-world application. That hands-on learning is essential in a field role like mine.
Q: Did anything about the Centre or how the training was delivered stand out?
Zuzanna: I liked that discussions were quickly followed by practical demonstrations. We could see each process in action, which helped solidify the concepts.
Emna: The trainer created an open, collaborative atmosphere and the organisation of the entire session made it easy to stay focused and engaged.
Q: How will you apply what you learned in your current role?
Emily: It’s given me more confidence to troubleshoot and explain system behaviour to clients. Understanding the full operation of the equipment helps me respond faster and more accurately.
Zuzanna: It helped organise what I already knew and filled any gaps. I feel solidly equipped to make decisions during installations and to explain the systems more clearly to clients.
Q: Have there been any recent achievements or standout projects you're especially proud of?
Emna: I recently worked on a complex system upgrade for one of our clients, integrating new technologies into an operational facility without disrupting production. It was quite technically demanding but incredibly rewarding once it went live and met performance expectations.
Zuzanna: Earlier this year, I co-hosted a technical webinar on lab water systems - all in Polish - that managed to reach around 200 attendees. Definitely a proud moment given how niche the topic was.
Q: What motivates you most in your work?
Emily: I love sharing knowledge with the team. Whether it’s training someone new or solving a problem together, it’s the collaboration that keeps me motivated.
Zuzanna: I’m passionate about educating clients on the importance of water quality. In scientific labs, using the wrong water can ruin years of research so getting it right really matters.
Q: As women in engineering, what reflection do you have on representation and progress in the industry?
Emna: When women arrive on-site, there can sometimes be an air of unspoken doubt. But that’s changing. Today, more women are proving their expertise and gaining the respect they’ve earned. It’s a welcome shift.
Emily: My work is no different from my male colleagues. I’ve always let my work ethic speak for itself, and that’s what truly matters.
Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in engineering?
Zuzanna: Never stop learning. Read, explore, and - most importantly - see real installations in action. Working for a company that shares your values makes a big difference, too.
Emna: Believe in yourself. Be curious, speak up and don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Emily: Step outside your comfort zone. If you keep a positive mindset, you’ll achieve more than you thought possible.
Final Thoughts:
Training opportunities like the one at the Life Science Centre of Excellence help engineers across Veolia build the technical confidence and practical skills they need to solve critical challenges in water treatment.
Whether it’s through sustainability consulting, field service or pharmaceutical system design, Emna, Emily and Zuzanna represent a new generation of engineers - driven by purpose, grounded in expertise and committed to a better future.
Get in touch to learn more about the work we do to drive ecological transformation.
