August 28, 2025 • 3 min read
From piping design to team leadership
“When a company gives you freedom and appreciates the work you do, you feel like you want to climb the ladder.”
Shashidhara Kanada never had a grand plan. “Actually, I reached this level without any kind of goal,” says the Piping Engineer Manager at our Brunei operation. “I was doing my work sincerely with all my efforts, and I reached a position, I never imagined. At Worley, there is recognition for the work that we do.” Shashidhara began working with us as an engineering design system administrator 15 years ago. With a few years of experience under his belt in India, his home country, he was drawn to our scale and reach. “Worley gave me the freedom to explore opportunities in various disciplines, like piping, engineering and design work. That allowed me to grow,” he says.
New home and a new journey
The multinational aspect was a big part of the appeal. “That was the main reason why I chose Worley,” he says. “Brunei is such a beautiful place, and I am very comfortable with the people here and in the Worley office, so I continued my journey.”
Today, Shashidhara leads a team of 10 to 12 engineers and designers working on greenfield and brownfield projects. He oversees piping layout and design, specification decisions and procurement for a range of oil and gas infrastructure, including wellhead platforms, LNG plant upgrades, recommissioned facilities and loading jetties.
The scope of his job is growing, with new projects including integrating solar generation into existing energy systems and applying carbon capture technology. “Carbon dioxide produced at one site can be a raw material for another,” he says. “Those are the kinds of projects we are getting.”
It takes a team effort
Shashidhara aims for frictionless collaboration when working. “Our team is our strength,” he says. “For the success of any project, and delivery on time and within budget, it takes a team effort. We can achieve that milestone easily if we have a great team. Otherwise, it would be very difficult.”
His crew in Brunei often works closely with colleagues in India and Singapore. The international network brings technical expertise and reinforces the inclusive culture that first attracted Shashidhara to working with us.
“Worley gives everyone the opportunity to grow,” he says. “It’s up to the person to take that opportunity.”
A good fit for the future
Shashidhara sees potential in many places – in people starting out, in new approaches to engineering and in career development driven by a culture that rewards curiosity and initiative. “When a company gives you freedom and appreciates the work you do, you feel like you want to climb the ladder and do more.”
And if life throws up other demands, such as family, Shashidhara knows that balance is possible. “The company will make sure that the whole family – not only the employee – is taken care of if there is a need to support them.”
He still enjoys coming to work every day. “It helps to enjoy your work. I have never felt over the past 15 years like, ‘Oh no, I have to go to the office.’ It’s a friendly environment.”
