Variety rather than routine: working in specialised construction
From civil engineer to project manager
After completing his degree in civil engineering, Fabian began his career at Züblin in the turnkey construction sector in Stuttgart. This was followed by further roles in civil engineering and on the major construction site of the North-South light rail line in Cologne, before he joined STRABAG 20 years ago.
As well as the wide range of responsibilities, it was the company’s regional structure that particularly appealed to him. Thanks to its numerous sites, STRABAG offers its employees the opportunity to work on interesting projects whilst remaining rooted in their local region.
Custom-built: No two projects are the same
Fabian’s professional focus is on special construction. This encompasses bridge structures, sewage treatment plants, railway infrastructure projects and many other specialist tasks. These projects often involve different trades and specialist areas that need to be co-ordinated and brought together.
It is precisely this complexity that makes the work so varied. Whilst other projects follow clear patterns, specialised construction frequently requires tailored solutions. Fabian benefits from the scale and expertise within STRABAG, as many issues can be tackled in collaboration with specialists from across the group.
There is no such thing as a typical working day for Fabian. Naturally, preparing construction processes, project management and cost control are among his core responsibilities. However, construction sites and projects often develop differently to plan.
Projects that leave a lasting impression
Over two decades of project management, there have been numerous memorable moments. Working on the North-South Light Rail project in Cologne was particularly formative. It was there that Fabian, as a young engineer, gained experience on a technically challenging major project.
Another highlight was the construction of a railway viaduct in [location]. The bridge, weighing around 1,000 tonnes, was fabricated alongside the tracks and later moved into its final position, involving several changes of direction and bridging a height difference of approximately 3 metres. Projects of this kind demand the utmost precision and detailed planning. It is precisely these challenges that continue to motivate him to this day.
Building solutions together
For Fabian, the success of a project does not depend solely on technical solutions. The people involved are just as important.
For him, a good team is characterised by a balanced mix of experience, different perspectives and mutual trust. After all, it is precisely in complex projects that the best results are achieved when different skills come together.
In his view, collaboration within the industry has changed for the better. Today, there is a much stronger focus on partnership and joint solutions than there was at the start of his career.
Curiosity as a career companion
Fabian has one key piece of advice for young civil engineers and project managers: remain open-minded and learn from experienced colleagues.
Alongside technical understanding, he believes that cost awareness in particular is a crucial factor for success. After all, construction projects must not only be technically sound, but also implemented in a way that is economically viable.
After 20 years at STRABAG, Fabian can look back on numerous challenging projects. What continues to inspire him to this day is the opportunity to work with strong teams to create structures that will stand the test of time. It is precisely this blend of technology, responsibility and collaboration that makes his profession so special to him.