TheCconnects:
Anirban, thank you for joining us today. With nearly three decades of experience across oil & gas, power, steel, and large-scale infrastructure projects-spanning roles as a consulting engineer, project leader, technologist, and entrepreneur-you’ve built a reputation for both technical depth and principled leadership. Before we get into specific themes, we’d like to start at the beginning.
To begin with, could you walk our readers through your professional journey and the common thread that ultimately led you to found PIMECAS Engineering Solutions?
Anirban Datta:
Thank you for having me. My journey began in the late 1990s, at a time when engineering careers were very hands-on. I started with operations and maintenance roles, where I learned the realities of plant behavior-how systems respond under real operating conditions, not just in design manuals. Over the years, I moved into consulting engineering, working on increasingly complex projects in power, oil & gas, petrochemicals, and steel.
The common thread throughout has been problem-solving under constraints-technical, safety, time, and cost. As I progressed into leadership roles, managing large multidisciplinary teams and critical projects like blast furnaces and supercritical power plants, I realized there was a gap in the industry: a need for engineering solutions that are technically rigorous, ethically grounded, and accountable end-to-end. PIMECAS Engineering Solutions was founded to address exactly that gap.
TheCconnects: You’ve worked across an extraordinary range of projects, from refineries and cross-country pipelines to nuclear power and hydrogen systems. Which experiences shaped you the most as a professional?
Anirban Datta:
Large, high-risk projects shape you quickly. When you’re working on critical piping systems in refineries or blast furnaces, small errors can have serious consequences. Serving as Project Engineering Manager for some of India’s largest blast furnace projects was particularly formative. Those roles taught me that engineering is not just about calculations-it’s about judgment, coordination, and responsibility.
Another defining experience was working on international projects for clients like Qatar Petroleum and Valero Energy. Global exposure teaches discipline in codes, documentation, and decision-making. It also reinforces the importance of professional ethics, because your work is reviewed by peers worldwide.
TheCconnects: Over such a long career, who or what has influenced you the most?
Anirban Datta:
Rather than one individual, I would say professional institutions and mentors collectively influenced me. Bodies like The Institution of Engineers (India), ASME, IBC, ISHRAE and CEAI instilled the importance of standards, peer review, and lifelong learning. I was fortunate to work under leaders who emphasized doing the right thing even when it was inconvenient. That mindset stayed with me.
Equally influential were younger engineers I mentored. Teaching forces you to question your own assumptions and stay current. That exchange has been incredibly grounding.
TheCconnects: Every long journey has its share of challenges. What were some of the toughest you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Anirban Datta:
One recurring challenge has been balancing commercial pressure with engineering integrity. Tight deadlines and cost constraints often push teams toward shortcuts. I’ve faced situations where pushing back was uncomfortable, but necessary. The way through is clarity-backing your decisions with sound engineering logic and transparent communication.
Another challenge was adapting to rapid digital transformation. Engineering tools evolved quickly-from manual calculations to advanced stress analysis software, 3D modeling, and now AI-assisted workflows. Staying relevant required continuous learning and openness to change, without losing sight of engineering fundamentals.
TheCconnects: Based on your experience, what are the most important lessons your career has taught you?
Anirban Datta:
First, fundamentals matter. No software can compensate for weak understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics, or material behavior. Second, ethics is non-negotiable-engineering decisions affect lives and the environment long after a project is completed. Third, communication is as important as technical skill. Many project failures happen not because of bad design, but because of poor coordination.
Finally, learning never stops. The moment you believe you know enough, the industry moves ahead without you.
TheCconnects: Today, brands and organizations talk constantly about digital transformation. From an engineering perspective, what is the biggest challenge in this space?
Anirban Datta:
The biggest challenge is mistaking tools for solutions. Digital platforms, AI, and automation are powerful, but they are enablers-not substitutes for engineering judgment. Many organizations adopt technology without integrating it into processes or training people properly.
Successful digital transformation happens when domain expertise and technology evolve together. Engineers must understand both the physics of systems and the logic of digital tools. That balance is still missing in many organizations.
TheCconnects: How does PIMECAS Engineering Solutions address the real pain points clients face today?
Anirban Datta:
Clients typically approach us with concerns around risk, reliability, and long-term operability. We address these through integrated engineering services-pipe stress analysis, static equipment design, hydraulic studies, feasibility assessments, and project management consultancy.
Our focus is lifecycle performance. We don’t design only for commissioning; we design for sustained operation, safety, and maintainability. We also emphasize knowledge transfer, ensuring client teams understand the rationale behind design decisions. That builds confidence and reduces dependency.
TheCconnects: Sustainability and ESG goals are increasingly central to engineering projects. How do you integrate these into your work?
Anirban Datta:
Sustainability starts at the design stage. Choices related to energy efficiency, material selection, water management, and emissions control directly impact environmental performance. Projects like flue gas desulphurization systems, water recirculation pipelines, and hydrogen generation units reflect this shift.
My work with UN SDG frameworks reinforced the idea that good engineering naturally aligns with sustainability when done responsibly. It’s not about adding labels-it’s about thoughtful design and execution.
TheCconnects: Outside of engineering and business, how do you unwind or stay balanced?
Anirban Datta:
I enjoy writing, mentoring, and engaging with professional communities. Authoring technical papers helps me organize my thinking, while mentoring young engineers keeps me connected to emerging talent and fresh perspectives. I also actively participate in professional institutions, organizing seminars and training programs. These activities keep me intellectually engaged beyond day-to-day project work.
TheCconnects: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and young engineers entering this field?
Anirban Datta:
Focus on fundamentals before specialization. Build credibility through competence and integrity-it takes time, but it lasts. Don’t chase growth at the cost of quality; reputation is your most valuable asset in engineering.
For entrepreneurs, invest early in systems, documentation, and people. Engineering businesses scale on trust, not hype. And remember, continuous learning is not optional-it’s part of the profession.
TheCconnects: Finally, what is your vision for PIMECAS Engineering Solutions and for the engineering profession as a whole?
Anirban Datta:
For PIMECAS, the vision is to be a trusted partner for complex, high-stakes engineering challenges, both in India and globally. We aim to deliver solutions that stand the test of time-technically, ethically, and environmentally.
For the profession, I hope to see a renewed emphasis on competence, ethics, and accountability. Engineers will play a critical role in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable development. We must be prepared-not just with tools, but with judgment and responsibility.
TheCconnects: Anirban, thank you for sharing your journey and insights with us.
Anirban Datta: Thank you. It was a pleasure having this conversation.
