Women@Work - Anetta van der Walt, 
Project Manager

Leading Team TOPIC in the global SKA project

In our TOPIC Women@Work series, we highlight female colleagues whose expertise, vision, and perspective make a difference in their work field.

This edition features Anetta, Project Manager at TOPIC. With a background in software engineering and a strong focus on people, she has grown into a role where technical insight and natural leadership come together. Today, she leads Team TOPIC in the global SKA project, bringing in her passion for collaboration, problem-solving and international teamwork.
 

As Project Manager at TOPIC you are involved in the global SKA project. What makes this project so unique?

The SKAO project is an international effort to build the world’s most advanced radio telescopes. It stands out for its scale and scientific ambition, but also for the number of countries and organizations working together. As part of the mid‑level integration and testing team, our TOPIC team collaborates closely across many disciplines and development teams, which makes the project both complex and exciting.

Can you tell us more about your role?

A key part of my role as Project Manager is stakeholder management and alignment. I work together with people from different nationalities and backgrounds to make sure our TOPIC team has everything it needs to meet its PI objectives, within budget and on time. This means constant coordination with the different multidisciplinary development teams and the telescope‑level integration teams, all in a SAFe environment.

What motivated you to pursue a career in project management?

I have a background in applied Mathematics and after moving to the Netherlands in 2014 for a PDEng at TU/e, I worked as a software engineer and later as a Scrum Master, Developer and Product Owner. Over time, I naturally took on more responsibility and discovered that I enjoy bringing structure and clarity to complex work. In 2023, supported by my colleagues at TOPIC, I transitioned into the Project Manager role.

What do you find most inspiring?

I really enjoy working with people from different backgrounds and getting to know all my stakeholders. Every situation requires its own approach, and sometimes that means finding creative ways to solve problems together. With ongoing alignment, negotiating budget, preparing milestone deliveries, and arranging hardware for testing, no day is ever the same. That variety is what keeps the work inspiring.

Which skills are essential to have?

My technical background helps me understand the challenges my team faces and what they need to perform well. Combined with a pragmatic, people‑focused approach, it enables me to connect the dots between technology and teamwork and guide the team effectively.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in project or technology management?

The engineering world is still largely male-dominated, but that should never stop you as women from standing out and being yourself. Dare to be authentic. Dare to be different. Also, stay curious and open to learning. You don’t need to have everything figured out, take opportunities that help you grow. And above all, trust yourself. If you enjoy working with people and solving problems, project management can be a very rewarding path.