What makes someone stay at AtkinsRéalis for 10+ years? Meet Jae Ho.

In today's world of work, long careers at one company are becoming increasingly rare.

Yet for Jae Ho, staying at AtkinsRéalis in Korea for nearly 13 years has never been about standing still. It's been about continuing to learn, taking on new challenges, and being trusted to grow.

"I have been able to experience a variety of projects and continue to develop professionally, which is the biggest reason I have stayed with the company."

Today, Jae Ho serves as Project Engineering Director, leading teams across Process, Piping, and Automation Engineering. But when he joined AtkinsRéalis in 2013, he started as a Process Engineer, focused on learning the company's design approach and building his expertise.

Over the years, his role has evolved significantly. He moved into project management, gained experience across different stages of project delivery, and eventually stepped into a leadership role where he now helps guide technical direction and support project teams.

Looking back, he sees one common thread throughout his career: growth.

The work that has shaped his career

Jae Ho's career has been built on a combination of technical expertise and practical industry experience. Having worked in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector since 2004, he brought valuable operational knowledge with him when he joined AtkinsRéalis.

Since then, he has worked across a range of industries, helping deliver engineering solutions in highly regulated and technically complex settings. His experience has extended beyond engineering design into project management, field engineering, project controls, construction management, and client engagement.

Today, he leads multidisciplinary engineering teams and helps translate client requirements into practical, reliable solutions. Working closely with project managers and technical leads, he helps establish the technical direction that guides projects from concept through execution.

One of the achievements he is most proud of is helping clients find practical solutions to complex challenges. For Jae Ho, earning trust through technical expertise and sound judgment has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.

More than a job title

For Jae Ho, career development has never been limited to promotions.

Every role brought a new perspective.

As an engineer, he focused on technical problem solving. As a project manager, he learned to balance technical decisions with client needs, team coordination, and project execution. Today, as a leader, he spends much of his time helping others succeed by providing direction, removing obstacles, and supporting better decision making.

That continuous evolution is one of the things he values most about his career at AtkinsRéalis. 

Rather than staying within a fixed role, he has had opportunities to expand his skills, take on new responsibilities, and see the business from different angles.

Trust makes a difference

Ask Jae Ho what stands out most about the culture, and two words come to mind: professionalism and flexibility.

He appreciates being trusted as a professional and having the authority to make decisions while taking responsibility for the outcomes.

"What I appreciate most is the authority and responsibility given to employees, and the flexible culture that respects them."

For him, that trust creates an environment where people can do their best work while continuing to develop their expertise.

The company's flexible and remote working arrangements have also played an important role, giving employees the freedom to manage their work in a way that supports both performance and personal well-being. 

The people along the way

While professional growth has been important, Jae Ho believes people are ultimately what make long careers meaningful.

One of his favorite aspects of working at AtkinsRéalis is the ability to collaborate with colleagues who bring different perspectives, experiences, and expertise.

He describes the reassurance that comes from knowing you're not solving challenges alone.

Over the years, he has seen firsthand how strong collaboration leads to better outcomes, not just for projects but for the individuals involved.

Working alongside talented colleagues has continually challenged him to learn, adapt, and grow.

A company that has grown too

Another reason Jae Ho has stayed is that the company itself has continued to evolve.

When he first joined, much of the focus was naturally centered on project execution and technical delivery. Over time, he has seen increasing emphasis placed on employee well-being, flexibility, family engagement, and personal development.

He believes these changes reflect an organization that recognizes employees as people, not just professionals.

Outside of work, Jae Ho enjoys reading, watching movies, walking, and running. More recently, many weekends are spent with his children, often visiting the library together. Those moments help him recharge and maintain balance between work and family life.

Advice for long term growth

After almost 13 years with AtkinsRéalis, Jae Ho believes career growth starts with curiosity.

His advice is to go beyond simply completing assigned tasks and think about how to create greater value, whether for clients, colleagues, or projects.

Those who continue learning, stay aware of industry changes, and look for better ways to solve problems will naturally find opportunities to grow.

Just as importantly, he believes growth happens when people support one another.

As a leader, he sees genuine interest in team members' development as one of the most important qualities anyone can bring to the workplace.

Why stay? Because there's always room to grow

Nearly 13 years after joining AtkinsRéalis, Jae Ho continues to find new opportunities to learn, lead, and evolve. For him, staying has never meant standing still. It has meant being trusted with greater responsibility, working alongside talented colleagues, and building a career that continues to grow with the business.

If you're looking for a place where curiosity is encouraged, expertise is valued, and long term career development is more than just a promise, AtkinsRéalis could be the place for you.

Explore our current opportunities and discover where a career at AtkinsRéalis could take you.