Get to know the Sulzer people behind the scenes: Samir Zakaria

Samir Zakaria – Lead Engineer currently on an international assignment at Sulzer Pumps, Leeds.

At Sulzer, we recognize the invaluable contributions that our employees make to our success. Today, we are delighted to introduce Samir Zakaria, Lead Engineer at Sulzer Pumps (UK) Ltd, whose innovative approaches and dedication are helping to shape our company's future. Samir's integral role has led to his transfer from Stuttgart, Germany, to Leeds, England. In his new role, Samir is spearheading a new department at Sulzer UK and leading a global initiative for standardizing the packing of equipment across all Sulzer’s businesses.

“As a Lead Engineer at Sulzer UK, I'd like to share with you my exciting journey that has brought me here.

My career began in Germany, working as a trainee at a major machine parts manufacturing company for about two years. This period of my life taught me valuable lessons and helped lay a solid foundation for my future. After my training period was completed, I spent approximately four years as a design engineer at another renowned gearbox manufacturer. These roles allowed me to grow my skills and knowledge base and prepare me for the future opportunities that awaited me.

In June 2020, I joined Sulzer Pumpen (Deutschland) GmbH as a Lead Engineer. My role involved handling all technical clarifications and queries arising during the execution phase of our projects. As the bridge between the project management department and our customers and sub-vendors, I primarily focused on the technical aspects of the project.

This unique structure in Sulzer Germany sparked interest in our UK branch. In August 2022, Sulzer UK invited me to Leeds on a temporary assignment, with the aim of replicating the successful role I held in Germany. The team in Leeds dealt with high workloads, and the potential benefits of implementing my role, which hadn't previously existed in the UK, were clearly recognized.

Implementing this new role and the structure, although initially challenging, turned out to be an exciting opportunity. Over time, the engineers at Sulzer UK began to see the value that this new role brought, and how it could contribute positively to their daily work. Alongside my existing workload, I began leading a new colleague in the department, guiding him to understand and adopt the new role.

Today, my role is split, with 50% of my time spent managing technical clarifications and queries during the execution phase of projects in Leeds. The rest of my time is dedicated to coordinating the procurement process for a project that involves implementing and fostering uniformity in the design and function of our product packaging across all our international branches. This spans everything from new equipment to retrofits, collaborating across the various businesses within Sulzer, to ensure each project is precision-fit when it arrives with the customer.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and challenges that Sulzer has presented to me. The company's culture of open dialogue and its willingness to recognize and nurture potential have significantly contributed to my swift career progression. Even though our department in the UK is still in its early stages, I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead. I look forward to growing our team, refining our processes, and delivering the best results for our customers.

Working at Sulzer has been a testament to the company's commitment to continuous evolution and improvement. The supportive work environment encourages learning and knowledge sharing, something I've experienced firsthand here in Leeds.”

We hope you enjoyed this sneak peek into the remarkable individuals who shape Sulzer. For more stories like Samir's and to explore our current job openings, please visit our recruitment page Sulzer Jobs.