Personal development truly begins when you step outside of your comfort zone. For Nilesh Pratap Kakade this meant moving away from an early career role working for Tata Motors in India to an engineering career that has taken him across the world working on major energy projects.
Embracing the opportunities he’s had to broaden his understanding of international standards, engineering practices and project delivery approaches, Nilesh now uses that experience in his role as Principal Mechanical Engineer at Penspen in Abu Dhabi.
Though his role sees him involved in major Middle East energy projects from concept and design through successful execution, his real passion lies in ensuring the next generation of engineers are afforded the same opportunities he had.
What interested you in a career in the energy/engineering industry?
Although I did not come from an engineering background in my family, I was fascinated by mechanical systems, especially automobiles and engine machinery. This interest grew through my visits to a small-scale tractor and automobile workshop run by my cousins, where I developed a deeper curiosity about mechanical equipment, problem-solving, and practical applications of engineering. This passion motivated me to begin my professional journey with Tata Motors in India as a Management Diploma Trainee, where I completed a one-year professional training program and gained my first exposure to the industrial environment. I then continued my academic journey by pursuing graduation in Mechanical Engineering to strengthen my technical foundation and expand my engineering knowledge.
Following graduation, I kicked off my career in the energy industry as a Management Graduate Engineering Trainee with Reliance Energy in India, where I had the opportunity to be part of an Ultra Mega EPC project engineering team. This experience introduced me to large-scale energy projects, with project values ranging from approximately USD 500 million to USD 2.5 billion, and helped me understand how engineering concepts are transformed into practical, reliable solutions.
For the first time I saw that the energy industry brings together strong engineering fundamentals, innovation, complex technical challenges, and the responsibility of delivering safe, efficient, and reliable solutions.
Being involved in seeing projects progress from the design stage to successful operation gave me a strong sense of purpose and achievement. This experience confirmed that engineering was the right career path for me.
How did you get to where you are now?
My time at Reliance Energy allowed me to gain international exposure through multiple visits to China for engineering activities, inspections, testing, project management, and vendor coordination.
This really gave me a taste for working internationally, and over the next 12 years I had the privilege of collaborating with teams across the world. I worked on major EPC projects for Techint Engineering across Europe, Argentina, and South America; with Aker Solutions I supported projects in Norway, Sweden, and the USA; and I eventually landed in the Middle East where I worked on major EPC projects across the United Arab Emirates, Africa, and Thailand for Petrofac.
All this experience provided me with valuable exposure to global engineering practices, project execution strategies, and diverse technical challenges. It also strengthened my understanding of complex project environments and enhanced my ability to work with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. which has broadened my understanding of international standards, engineering practices, and project delivery approaches.
These roles allowed me to work across diverse sectors including oil and gas, LNG, petrochemicals, fertiliser, chemical, power, hydrogen and renewable energy projects.
Each project brought unique challenges and learning opportunities, helping me strengthen my technical expertise, enhance my problem-solving abilities, and develop a collaborative approach to achieving project objectives.
What led you to Penspen? What does your role involve now?
Penspen has a strong reputation in the energy industry and is recognised globally for delivering high-quality engineering solutions. Working in the Middle East, I was aware of the company’s commitment to engineering excellence, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement — values that strongly align with my own professional approach.
I joined as Principal Mechanical Engineer in 2024, and I’m responsible for leading and supporting mechanical engineering activities across EPC and energy projects, including engineering design, technical evaluations, vendor coordination, and multidisciplinary interface management. I contribute to the complete project lifecycle, from design development and equipment selection to technical resolution and execution support, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and project requirements.
My experience across a diverse range of projects means I can apply the technical expertise I’ve developed throughout my career, whether that be mechanical systems, including rotating and static equipment, packaged systems, piping, HVAC, utility systems, or specialised energy infrastructure.
Now, Penspen’s capabilities in hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure projects provide me with exciting opportunities to contribute to the future of the energy sector.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your role?
My professional journey has been built around a passion for engineering excellence and seeing a project progress from concept and design through successful execution by collaboration and team effort still gives me a strong sense of achievement.
I feel lucky to have the opportunity to work in a role where I contribute to projects that create value for industries and communities. I’m Technical Discipline Authority for the mechanical engineering section at Penspen and regularly contribute to our Engineering Body of Knowledge. I was also awarded a Penspen CEO Award in 2025, something I’m really proud of.
Successful engineering is not only about technical knowledge though— it is about ownership, teamwork, adaptability, and the commitment to continuously improve.
Where I find true pride is mentoring young engineers. I have the opportunity at Penspen to share my experience, technical knowledge, and practical insights with our graduate engineers, and supporting their development and creating opportunities for them to learn and grow is one of the most meaningful parts of my role.
My early engineering experience helped me discover my passion for this field when I started working on real projects and witnessed how engineering concepts are transformed into practical solutions. I was given the opportunity to take on challenging assignments and work closely with senior management. Being trusted with responsibilities beyond my experience level helped me develop confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of business and project requirements. Successfully delivering those assignments and meeting management expectations gave me a strong sense of achievement and motivated me to continuously improve, take on greater challenges, and grow as an engineer and professional.
Supporting others to find that passion continues to inspire and motivate me throughout my career.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
Truth is a core value that guides my life, along with hard work and honesty. I reflect on and apply these principles in my personal time to improve myself both as a professional and as a responsible individual, contributing positively as a member of society.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, exploring new places, and maintaining a healthy balance between my professional and personal life. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, playing cricket, and following different sports, which help me stay active, refreshed, and motivated. I also practice meditation and yoga as part of my personal development, helping me maintain focus, discipline, and a positive mindset.
- What’s your advice to anyone considering an engineering career?
Embrace the opportunity to work on diverse and challenging energy projects in a truly global environment. Be open to continuous learning, collaboration, and adapting to different engineering practices and cultures.
Penspen provides an excellent platform for graduates to develop technical expertise, gain international exposure, and contribute to innovative energy solutions. With the right attitude, commitment, and passion for engineering, it is a rewarding place to grow both personally and professionally.
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