People Spotlight: Meet Georgie Bambridge
Our People Spotlight series gives you an inside look at our technical experts around the world. This week, we are highlighting a structural engineer from our Energy business in the United Kingdom and providing an insight into their inspiration and work.
Georgie Bambridge joined AECOM in 2022 as a graduate engineer working in the nuclear sector. As a structural engineer, she has experience working on a major nuclear energy project and on asset care projects on a nuclear energy site.
What inspired you to join the industry?
I was inspired to join the nuclear industry due to the unique combination of technical challenges, responsibility, and impact on the future of energy. From an early age, I wanted to make a positive impact on the world, and I knew the best way to achieve this was through a job I loved. I chose to study structural engineering because of my passion for solving complex problems and applying the mathematical and mechanical principles I learned throughout my education to my project work every day.
The nuclear industry is the perfect field for me to channel my passion for structural engineering and make a meaningful impact. The challenge of constructing safe, durable, and precise structures, combined with the significant benefits of clean energy, inspires me. I am driven by a commitment to technical excellence and environmental responsibility, making this career path truly fulfilling.
The challenge of constructing safe, durable, and precise structures, combined with the significant benefits of clean energy, inspires me.
What is your favorite AECOM project that you’ve worked on and why?
One of my favourite projects at AECOM has been working on a nuclear new build facility — an ambitious and highly significant project. AECOM serves as the lead designer, with a multi-disciplinary team based in the Warrington office. The team’s close collaboration between disciplines — architecture, civil & structural, mechanical, electrical, building services, and project management — ensures seamless coordination and effective problem-solving.
On this project, I had the opportunity to design a seismically qualified portal frame building. This involved designing the structure to maintain stability and integrity under seismic forces, specifically engineering it to resist earthquake-induced loads and deformations. Seismic design is complex provided the unpredictable, dynamic forces applied to the structure, unlike static loads such as gravity and wind. Seismic forces can cause buildings to sway and deform in different directions requiring a deeper understanding of structural dynamics. This design was particularly rewarding given the complexity involved. Through this experience, I developed a strong understanding of seismic structures and how seismic loads are distributed throughout a building.
Nuclear projects require extended timelines due to stringent regulatory requirements, intricate engineering challenges, and high safety and quality standards. This project has a timeline of over 10 years and being part of such a complex and impactful endeavour has been deeply fulfilling.
On this project, I had the opportunity to design a seismically qualified portal frame building. This involved designing the structure to maintain stability and integrity under seismic forces, specifically engineering it to resist earthquake-induced loads and deformations. This design was particularly rewarding given the complexity involved. Through this experience, I developed a strong understanding of seismic structures and how seismic loads are distributed throughout a building.
Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.
I’ve had the privilege of working on nuclear waste management and asset care projects, contributing to legacy cleanup. These efforts play a vital role in creating a cleaner, safer site for future generations, with a positive impact on the local communities. The projects I’ve been involved in have successfully reduced risks, prevented further contamination, and made incremental progress toward the long-term cleanup goals.
This work is profoundly rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to both environmental preservation and public health protection. By restoring contaminated land, air, and water, we’re safeguarding ecosystems and reducing radiation risks for surrounding communities. The challenges are both technical and intellectual, requiring the use of dynamic thinking and close collaboration across disciplines. Ultimately, there’s a deep sense of fulfilment in tackling the lasting impacts of nuclear activities, knowing that our efforts are making a tangible difference in securing a safer future for generations to come.
I’ve had the privilege of working on nuclear waste management and asset care projects, contributing to legacy cleanup. This work is profoundly rewarding, as it allows me to contribute to both environmental preservation and public health protection. By restoring contaminated land, air, and water, we’re safeguarding ecosystems and reducing radiation risks for surrounding communities.
Share a piece of career advice.
Every project and role presents a fresh challenge and requires a new way of thinking. It’s important to remain open to learning and growth at every stage of your career. Pursue work that you enjoy and remember that with the dynamic nature of the industry, there are countless opportunities. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new — it’s often where the greatest personal and professional growth happens.
