Spotlight on EngTech: Sarrah Diaby

With nearly 15 years of industry experience, Sarrah Diaby firmly believes that success often depends not just on what you know, but on who you know.

She has had two significant mentors and allies in her corner, David Hughes and William Duncan, who offered her the chance to showcase not only her talents but her skills, competence and work ethic. Sarrah said: “I owe my career to both of them.” 

Kicking off her career in 2011, she worked temporarily for National Grid, training in Birmingham, where she migrated data and records from paper to a digital format.

After developments within the company, her contract was extended, and she moved into the Balfour Beatty Utility Services Ltd (BBUSL) arm.

Through a variety of different promotions, Sarrah worked as a Design Assistant, Designer, Design Officer and Design Engineer up until 2024.

She then decided to take a leap to work for Murphy, her current employer, as a Design Co-ordinator.

Sarrah co-ordinates a multi-disciplined detailed design of National Gas Transmission’s projects.

She also manages the design delivery programme and liases with the project planner to co-ordinate dates within the wider programme.

Having been an Associate member of IGEM since 2021, Sarrah has recently achieved her Engineering Technician (EngTech) status which she hopes to progress in the coming year.

On choosing to progress her grade, Sarrah said: “The main reason for my decision to progress was for professional recognition. I feel that I am unable to get higher in the engineering career ladder because of some barriers. I hope that my career will progress smoothly now that I have EngTech status.”

Across the duration of her IGEM membership, she has utilised the benefits by connecting with peers and further networking as well as through both in person and online events.

“With IGEM, I can set myself a target with a road map by accessing a plethora of technical information such as standards and publications.”

Sarrah is proud of her new status as she feels it gives others a clear view of her competencies. She said: “The EngTech status gives me recognition of my capability and is a good indicator of my experience and skills.”

Looking ahead, Sarrah wants to work towards becoming an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), developing her knowledge and skills further.

With net zero on the horizon, Sarrah feels as though she will have her part to play; she believes that gas won’t be phased out in her lifetime because of the demand to support the electricity system.

But with carbon capture, biomethane and hydrogen being introduced, there is a strong future for gas, but she believes there needs to be a back-up plan.