Sushil Kumar did B. Tech. in Civil Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1986. He joined the Central Water Engineering (Group 'A') Services (CWES) of Central Water Commission (under Ministry of Water Resources, Govt of India) as Assistant Director in 1990. In CWES, he has worked in Central Water Commission, Narmada Control Authority, Ganga Flood Control Commission, Ministry of Water Resources (main), Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee and National Water Academy, in diverse areas. Before joining CWC, he worked with a multi-national Consulting Engineers, dealing with design and construction consultancy of a mega port project.

Sushil Kumar has extensive professional experience in various spheres of Civil Engineering. His experience in CWC includes many important analyses & design assignments, hydrological observations, flood forecasting and related issues, implementation of the Central Plan Schemes, effective human resource management, etc.

In Narmada Control Authority, he was involved with preparation of the Master Plan for R&R, implementation of the Rehabilitation policy, EIA and monitoring of R&R progress for Sardar Sarovar Multipurpose Project. In addition, he also handled administration wing where appointment on direct recruitment as well as deputation basis were also a part of his responsibilities, besides looking after the day-to-day administrative needs of NCA secretariat.

At National Water Academy, in his first stint, Sushil Kumar had designed and organized Training Programs on various facets of Water Resources Development and Management, including those on Strategic Issues, Design Aspects, Dam Safety Issues, Managerial and Communication Skills, ToT etc. He has also been the faculty on diverse topics ranging from Flood Management, Design aspects, Hydrological Observation, Strategic issues in WRD&M, to Effective Communication Skills and Personality Development. In addition, he also piloted the implementation of World Bank aided Hydrology Project-II at NWA. He also shouldered the responsibility of Director (A&C).

As Senior Joint Commissioner in the Brahmaputra and Barak Wing (B&B Wing) of Ministry of Water Resources, Sushil Kumar was overseeing the implementation of the World Bank aided Hydrology Project-II amongst various implementing agencies across the country, in addition to looking after the Project Coordination Secretariat [PCS] and the Technical Assistance and Management Consultancy [TAMC] for PCS.

At SSCAC, Sushil Kumar was involved with monitoring of progress of Unit-I (Dam and Appurtenant works) and Unit-III (Hydro Power works) of Sardar Sarovar Project, monitoring of the construction of Garudeshwar Weir, and coordination with & amongst the Party States on any issue pertaining to these works, besides running the SSCAC secretariat at Vadodara as its 'Head of Office'. The job also entailed distribution of share cost of Sardar Sarovar Project amongst the party states and ensuring its timely payment. Sushil Kumar also shouldered the responsibility of Secretary, SSCAC & Head of Department for almost seven months during his tenure at SSCAC. During this period the long-stalled dam construction was re-started.