“I was fortunate to have a lot of women in my life who were very successful — doctors, nurses, a lawyer. My mom started out as an accountant and now she’s a COO. I saw firsthand that women could excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their achievements inspired me to believe that I could make my mark as well.” – Erica Lopez
Erica Lopez
Project Engineer
Erica Lopez, a project engineer at Atlas and the eldest of five siblings, was raised in a supportive and encouraging household. Her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, tried to push against social norms, encouraging her to pursue her ambitions, even in fields traditionally sought by men. Inspired by her parents’ mindset and the strength of the women in her extended family, Erica chose a career that allowed her to define her own journey. Learn more about Erica’s path to engineering in this story.
Growing up in the suburbs of Burbank, California, Erica Lopez was born with a natural curiosity and sense of adventure. As the oldest of five children, her desire for independence and a chance to carve her own path grew as she got older.
Math and science seemed to come naturally, and Erica’s parents spurred her passion through participation in activities such as summer math camps, fostering a love for science and engineering.
In high school, Erica’s interest in engineering solidified. Chemistry and physics classes sparked a genuine fascination, and a summer engineering survey class introduced her to different engineering disciplines. Civil engineering stood out to Erica, combining the physics she loved with real-world applications.
The clarity she gained guided her college applications, and Erica pursued civil engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. She chose to specialize in infrastructure materials engineering for her master’s after enjoying her work as an undergraduate research assistant in concrete and asphalt.
As she reflects back now, Erica shares that her decision to attend UT Austin would shape her future in ways she could never have imagined. Although she enjoyed her time as a student in Texas, she was ready for a move to the Rockies. Colorado, with its stunning landscapes and abundance of outdoor activities, called to her. She talked with representatives from Atlas at a college career fair.
“I expressed my desire to move to Denver, and serendipitously, they told me they had a lab in Lakewood.” Erica recalls. “After a series of conversations and interviews, Atlas offered me a position, and I made the move to Colorado three years ago.”
Erica is a project engineer at Atlas, where she handles land development projects, ensuring proper site grading, drainage and erosion control. She started with the company in the materials testing lab, gaining hands-on experience with construction materials. Her future plans are to combine her technical expertise with people and project management skills.
“Engineering offers diverse career paths, and I believe in defining my own journey,” Erica says.
Growing up, Erica was surrounded by smart, strong and accomplished women, and that played a crucial role in shaping her aspirations.
“I was fortunate to have a lot of women in my life who were very successful — doctors, nurses, a lawyer. My mom started out as an accountant and now she’s a COO,” says Erica. “I saw firsthand that women could excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their achievements inspired me to believe that I could make my mark as well.”
Erica says having family backing was key to her success.
“I’m grateful for my parents’ guidance and support. I realize now that my path to engineering was influenced significantly by my family,” says Erica. “As immigrants from the Philippines, my parents instilled in me the importance of a stable and successful career.”
Erica passed the Professional Engineering exam earlier this year and will be going through the application process to receive her license in the next couple of months. Her advice to engineering students is to stay focused and remember that the effort will pay off. Studying for the PE is challenging, but perseverance and dedication made it worthwhile.
When she’s not working, you can find Erica outside, enjoying all Colorado has to offer. She loves to hike, and one of her goals is to hike all of Colorado’s 14ers — those are the mountain peaks in the state that are more than 14,000 ft. above sea level. In total, there are 58.
“I’m about halfway complete and plan to spend my summer hiking and camping,” says Erica.
The outdoors can bring on all kinds of inspiration, even inspiration in engineering.
“The natural environment and its integration with human-made infrastructure fascinate me. Driving through Glenwood Canyon in Colorado, I marvel at the harmony between engineering and nature,” she says. “Civil engineering intertwines with the natural world, reminding us to be mindful of the environment. We can’t just build anywhere; we must be respectful of the earth.”
Finally, Erica offers this advice to young professionals: “Say ‘yes’ to opportunities. When I was offered a chance to take on the office safety officer role, I initially hesitated, but it brought unexpected learning experiences and growth. Embrace new paths and be open to opportunities — they can lead to incredible journeys.”
Did Erica’s story inspire you to start your next journey? Come join us at Atlas!
Erica Lopez
Engineer
Erica Lopez is a project engineer at Atlas, where she handles land development projects, ensuring proper site grading, drainage and erosion control. She started with Altas in the materials testing lab, gaining hands-on experience with construction materials. Erica has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Texas, Austin. Her area of study for her master’s degree was in infrastructure materials engineering. When she’s not working, you can find Erica outside, most likely hiking, enjoying all Colorado has to offer.