September 16, 2025 • 3 min read
Came for the challenge, stayed for the people
“When you are in a team, you have to understand everybody’s perspective and listen.”
For Yogesh Todake, Jurong Island is a playground. The 32-square-kilometer plot in the Singapore Strait bristles with plumbing and is a feat of engineering in itself, built on landfill that connects seven smaller islands. It’s working in locations like these that keeps him motivated. “Every project is different, so you won’t get bored,” says the Senior Principal Piping Engineer. “Once you finish one, you’ll have different challenges on the next one.”
Yogesh joined us in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Fourteen years later, he manages complex work at oil and gas refineries, chemical plants and tank storage facilities. His work now involves both office‑based design and site visits during construction, where he coordinates civil, mechanical and piping teams.
Bigger and better
“When you are in a team, you have to understand everybody’s perspective and listen.”
Yogesh started his career working mainly on brownfield projects, which he admits can get complicated. If ‘hot work’ is required on an operating facility, with cutting or welding involved, the team will need a shutdown window. Safety is paramount.
“Every project will have different complexities,” he says. “We have to study the entire project as a whole unit, and every project will teach you something.”
The past 15 years have seen plenty of growth for Yogesh – and for us. “Worley is working on bigger projects now and across a wider range of customers,” he notes.
Working with the right crowd
Technical acumen and dedication to project success inevitably led Yogesh to a leadership role. “It’s a managerial position, involving control of the budget, control of the schedules and control of the quality of the job,” he explains.
As he took on more responsibility, Yogesh came to appreciate the value of good communication. “Good people management means you respect people, respect their knowledge and respect their expertise in their field,” he says.
The culture of openness and partnership goes beyond the immediate team, he says. Everyone knows everyone. “It means I can go to my department manager anytime; I can go to my engineering director anytime; I can go to my operations manager – they are easily accessible,” he says. “People are open and they are open-minded.”
Never stop learning
Outside of work, Yogesh is big on self-improvement. He’s currently studying business management and has completed independent certifications in green energy, hydrogen and sustainability strategy.
For a person who likes to learn, Yogesh has found himself in the right place. He’s particularly a fan of our in‑house modules. “Worley is good about providing ongoing learning.”
That also means listening to others and watching what they do. It’s the foundation of teamwork. “When you are in a team, you have to understand everybody’s perspective and listen, rather than talking more,” Yogesh says.
And when things go well: “all the team has to be appreciated”.
