Rising Through a Male Dominated Engineering World
When Sheetal Bhilkar began her career as an electrical engineer in the early 1990s, the world of building services was far from welcoming to women. Site work, electrical systems, HVAC coordination and technical design roles were overwhelmingly male spaces. But Sheetal stepped into this environment with quiet confidence and a determination to create her own path. She proved that expertise has no gender and that women deserve a seat at every engineering table.
The Beginning of Her Entrepreneurial Journey
In 1994, while balancing work and early motherhood, Sheetal made a choice that would shape her life and career. She decided to start her own MEP consultancy firm, a bold step at a time when female entrepreneurs in engineering were almost unheard of. This moment became the foundation of what would grow into a respected, dependable and impact-driven engineering practice.
Building Urja Building Services Consultants
What began as a small initiative soon grew into Urja Building Services Consultants, a firm known today for its precision, reliability and people-first approach to engineering. Under Sheetal’s leadership, Urja has worked across Mumbai, Pune and several other regions, delivering high quality MEP solutions for hospitality projects, commercial towers, residential developments, schools, industrial facilities and infrastructure spaces.
Her approach focuses on designing systems that make buildings safer, smarter and more efficient for the people who use them every day.
Creating Space for Women in Technical Fields
Beyond her professional success, Sheetal has become a role model for young women who want to enter engineering and building services. She mentors upcoming talent, encourages more women to consider careers in MEP and advocates for gender inclusion on construction sites and in technical offices. Her story shows that women can lead in highly specialized sectors with equal strength, skill and clarity.
A Legacy Built on Perseverance and Purpose
Sheetal’s journey is not just about engineering excellence. It is about courage, resilience and the belief that women can shape the future of India’s built environment. Her achievements stand as a powerful reminder that passion and persistence can break barriers and open doors for the next generation of women professionals.
At BuildByHer, we celebrate women like Sheetal Bhilkar who continue to transform the construction and engineering ecosystem through their leadership, innovation and dedication. Her story inspires us to imagine a future where every woman in India who wants to build, design or engineer has the opportunity to do so with confidence and pride.
