Career Talk with Giulia Delamotte, Energy Engineer at SBB

Hi Giulia, who are you and what do you do for a living?

Hi, I'm Giulia. I work at SBB in the energy department and am responsible for the operational management of technical installations.

What does your typical workday look like?

When someone asks me, 'What do you actually do?', I say it's hard to explain because no two days are the same. My goal is to ensure that trains and trams can run at all times throughout Switzerland.

Can you give a concrete example?

An example is the Emosson dam near Martigny. There we have a turbine that generates hydroelectric power. My job is to convert and channel this electricity so that trains can use it.

How did you get into the railway industry?

My story began with the Railway Summer Camp 2021. I received an email by chance inviting me to take a look behind the scenes of the transport world. And I thought: why not?

What was your experience like at the Summer Camp?

I met people not only from all over Switzerland but also from across Europe. That made me realize there are many young people like me who are curious and motivated to understand how this system works—and maybe even help improve it.

What fascinates you most about your job?

I didn’t just discover a technically exciting world but also the people behind it—all those who make sure our public transport system runs. I think that’s just amazing.

Why does this job make sense to you?

I feel that my work is meaningful and aligns with my personal values. Every day, when I see trains or look up at the overhead lines, I think: 'Wow, that electricity flows from us.' And in those moments, I’m proud to be part of public transport.

Thank you! 🙂