Tanja Konrad: Technician, mother, and works council member

Tanja Konrad has been working as an engineer in the hardware department in Leverkusen since May 2011 – bringing with her extensive professional experience. Her career began at Deutsche Bahn, where she trained as an energy electronics technician for plant engineering. Life sometimes has a charming irony: after the railway repair shop was closed, Etteplan moved to this very location in Leverkusen Opladen – and so Tanja found herself back at her old workplace after many years. “It's funny to be back here, even though a lot has changed,” she says with a smile.

Full of energy, Tanja started a four-year evening school program right after finishing her training. She especially remembers the summer of 2001: "That's when I took the exam to prove my vocational and work-related teaching qualifications at the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce, already with a round baby bump. And my daughter was born just in time for the summer holidays," she says with a laugh. This combination of ambition, humor, and flexibility is a recurring theme throughout Tanja's career.

After successfully completing her state-certified electrical engineering technician qualification in 2002, with a focus on energy technology and process automation, Tanja made a conscious decision to work part-time. Etteplan supported this flexibility from the outset, enabling her to harmoniously combine her professional and private life.

The introduction of hybrid working at Etteplan has opened up new opportunities, and not just for Tanja: “Thanks to flexible working hours, it’s much easier to organize everyday family life – because the pressure is off,” she explains.

Thanks to her versatility and curiosity, Tanja got to know numerous projects and customers at the beginning of her time at Etteplan. She actively supported the teams in detailed planning and repeatedly contributed fresh ideas.

Since 2014, she has worked almost exclusively at Chempark Leverkusen, where she oversees Lewatit operations – an exciting environment, as this is where ion exchange resins are produced for a wide variety of applications. Whether water treatment or liquid purification: the solutions can be found in a wide range of industries.

Together with a colleague from Etteplan, she handles both day-to-day business and challenging automation projects in chemical processing. They use regular team meetings at the office to discuss current projects and ensure mutual support. If a bottleneck arises, the team can be relied upon to step in quickly and easily.

For Tanja, it’s a matter of working together in the truest sense — living out Etteplan’s value of Smarter Together.

“If there is a problem somewhere, a phone call or a quick message to colleagues or management is usually enough – and a solution is found together. Tanja particularly appreciates the uncomplicated support via Teams: help is never far away here and spontaneous backing is guaranteed,” she says with a smile.
Since 2022, Tanja has also been involved as a works council member for the Smart Factory division. She is highly committed to finding ways to reconcile the interests of employees with the goals of the company.

Tanja is also full of energy in her private life: she is a passionate jogger and has participated in the EVL run in Leverkusen several times – a special moment when the route leads directly through the impressive BayArena. Etteplan supports employees who enjoy exercise and also backs sporting events such as this one. Tanja also likes to spend her free time with friends and family or traveling, always on the lookout for new impressions and inspiring encounters.

Tanja's path is a living example of how curiosity and openness to new challenges pay off. Especially when things get tricky, she relies on honest exchange and quick communication. “At Etteplan, you meet colleagues who not only provide professional support, but are also always open to personal conversations. This creates genuine friendships that enrich everyday working life and make working together special,” Tanja reports with palpable enthusiasm.