October 22, 2025 • 2 min read
Building a future beneath the surface
Big challenges. Global support. Local impact. That’s what it means to be part of Worley’s Geoscience team.
From the oilfields of India to the coastal engineering hubs of Dubai and Sydney, Raj Tilak has spent nearly three decades investigating what lies beneath our feet. Now leading Worley Consulting’s Geosciences team in Sydney, in Raj’s words, his team are “like doctors of soil”.
“We investigate, interpret and diagnose the ground. If it needs treatment, we deliver the remedy, sometimes in the form of major ground improvements,” he explains. “It’s technical, yes. But it’s also deeply human.”
Global experience, local impact
Raj’s geotechnical journey began in India’s oil and gas sector, where he worked as a consultant across a wide spectrum of projects including onshore and offshore drilling, refineries, pipelines and petrochemical facilities.
Later, moving to the UAE expanded his hands-on experience in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracting, giving him a new appreciation for practical delivery.
In 2014, he joined our team in Dubai and quickly found himself at the helm of large marine and port infrastructure projects.
Six years on in 2022, he relocated to Sydney, where the local office mirrors the port and marine capabilities of Dubai. “That familiarity made the transition seamless,” he says. “But Australia brought its own opportunities, especially in renewables and energy infrastructure.”
Solving complex challenges together
In Raj’s world, no two projects are the same. “Soil behaves differently in every location. That’s why geotechnical engineering requires global collaboration,” he says.
One standout example is a pipeline project in Papua New Guinea, where Raj and his team tackled extreme terrain and sensitive community concerns. “It was like navigating the Amazon. We reduced costs and environmental impact by re-routing the pipeline and we built trust with local communities along the way.”
It’s this blend of engineering rigor, real-world impact and cross-cultural connection that keeps Raj inspired. “I can reach out to anyone across the globe. The willingness to help is incredible – and that culture of collaboration is what drives innovation.”
Powered by people and purpose
Raj leads a growing, and increasingly diverse team in Sydney, with new hires from across Australia and New Zealand bringing skills in everything from dams and seismic engineering to renewable fuels infrastructure.
“Every new project is a learning opportunity,” he says. “I knew nothing about ports and nearshore geotechnics when I joined. Worley gave me the space to learn, lead and grow. That’s the kind of environment we’re building here.”
And when asked what keeps him motivated? “It’s the people. The energy. The challenge. And the chance to deliver real, lasting impact.”
