Philipp Stepan
Civil engineer Philipp Stepan is an experienced expert in hydroengineering, and has been heading water supply and wastewater management projects throughout Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for more than twenty years. Philipp Stepan’s customers are mostly local water suppliers financially supported by public institutions such as the World Bank, the European Union or the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) - a public development financing organisation. As a project manager, Philipp Stepan directs and coordinates every part of building and maintaining water and wastewater facilities, his services range from feasibility studies and planning designs to construction supervision. His major projects include an extension to the water infrastructure in twenty-eight Georgian cities, the design of a sewerage system master plan and the implementation of the first large wastewater treatment plant in Tehran, Iran, as well as wastewater treatment plants in Austria. He also analysed the existing water and wastewater infrastructure and designed an economically feasible expansion and redevelopment project in the Russian metropolis of Voronezh.
What inspires you? I appreciate the working environment based on mutual trust. The large-scale expertise at CDM Smith has given me the opportunity to work on fascinating high-profile projects resulting in a palpable improvement in the local environment. Working in a team making projects happen for our customers is extremely rewarding.
What does it mean to you that CDM Smith is a privately owned company? Through employee ownership, one senses that a broad base of senior employees feel committed to the company and that long-term strategic measures are taken that are not aimed at short-term profit optimization.
In your opinion: What makes CDM Smith special? Through CDM Smith I have the opportunity to work in many different projects and countries. The exchange of experiences with my colleagues, clients and other people I meet offers me an unbelievably interesting and beautiful opportunity to see the world, its circumstances and many conflicts with my own eyes and to understand them better.
What are your non-work passions? Nature and culture – I enjoy touring through cities and countries, and learning about their history. I also like physical activities such as running, skiing, cycling, or just working in my garden.


A range of engineering disciplines under one roof ensures complete solutions.
Qualifications
Specialist for international development assistance projects
Procurement expert preparing contract conditions (PRAG, FIDIC)
