My name is Jenilee Ferreira, and I work as a Process Engineer at Bilfinger. I am originally from South Africa, where I studied Chemical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. Three years ago, I moved to the Netherlands, where a new professional adventure opened up for me in a completely different environment. So far, I have really been enjoying life here. I am currently learning the language, and it is going quite well. In writing, Dutch closely resembles Afrikaans, but there are clear differences in pronunciation.

From South Africa to Eindhoven: a new chapter

I found my way to Bilfinger through a job posting on LinkedIn. I already knew the company from several of its subsidiaries in South Africa, which immediately gave me a sense of trust. What appealed to me most was the variety in the work: you do not just operate within a single industry or stick to one fixed task. Instead, you get the opportunity to be involved in different types of projects, across various industries, and with a diverse group of colleagues. This allows you to develop broadly and discover where your talents and interests are best put to use.

Currently, I work in the Eindhoven office on the High Tech Campus and am part of the Process Engineering team. As a Process Engineer, I focus on designing and improving industrial processes, with the goal of increasing efficiency, improving product quality, and reducing the ecological footprint. We pay close attention to what our clients truly need and design tailored solutions accordingly. What does an average workday look like? It varies. Sometimes I am doing process calculations, other times I am drawing up a process flow diagram or working on a Piping and Instrumentation diagram (P&ID).

Engineering with impact

One of the most rewarding projects I have worked on was the electrification of a malt kiln. This project was entirely focused on sustainability. I was involved from the initial concept design through to the final commissioning of the plants. Seeing your own design come to life is special, but what makes it even more meaningful is that projects like this not only contribute to customer satisfaction, but also to broader climate goals.

Such projects also require a great deal of technical creativity. Because carbon reduction initiatives often call for ‘first of a kind’ solutions, there are few standard examples to rely on. That gives me room to come up with innovative ideas, for example, on reusing residual heat or reducing the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in appliances. Every situation is unique, and that is exactly what makes the work so fascinating.

Growing together

What I appreciate about Bilfinger is the open culture and the collaboration with colleagues from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds. Everyone brings their own perspective and expertise, and there is a lot to learn from that. Of course, each discipline has its own ‘technical language’ and focus, which can make collaboration challenging at times. But that is also what helps you understand each other’s way of thinking better, and it leads to continuous growth. Also, there is always room to learn, both from experienced colleagues and through training or coaching.

Curiosity and flexibility make the difference

What makes someone a great team member in our team? Someone who is curious, open to new experiences, and enjoys tackling technical challenges, even if they lie outside your comfort zone. At Bilfinger, you have the space to discover what suits you, whether you are at the start of your career or looking for the next step. If you enjoy working together on innovative solutions with real impact, you will definitely feel at home here.

A future full of perspective

In the coming years, I want to continue developing toward a more senior role. I learn something new every day, thanks in part to the experienced engineers around me. At Bilfinger, I get the opportunity to put that knowledge directly into practice. That combination of learning, applying, and contributing to tangible results is what makes my work so special.