Atlas’ Francis Mouafong, P.E., MBA is a Senior Project Manager at Atlas and currently works as a Construction Quality Assurance Manager on Georgia’s I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. He shares why he loves working as an engineer — and how transportation systems play a vital role in connecting people and strengthening communities.
Engineers play a critical role in helping communities flourish by creating systems that connect people. Nowhere is that impact more visible than in transportation. Thoughtfully designed and well-executed roads, bridges, transit systems, trails and corridors form the backbone of thriving communities — shaping daily lives, economic opportunity and long-term resilience.
For Francis Mouafong, engineering has always been about more than just building roads or verifying specifications on paper. He views his work as a form of stewardship — a commitment to advancing infrastructure that serves people well and stands the test of time. For more than three decades, Francis has contributed to high-impact transportation projects — spending the past 20 years working throughout Georgia on efforts such as:
- I‑285/I‑20 East Interchange project, a major mobility improvement project being done for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) that involves reconstructing the I-285/I-20 East Interchange ramps with more direct alignments, constructing new lanes, adding auxiliary lanes, replacing bridges and constructing new noise barriers.
- Harbins Road Interchange project, an interchange project that involved bridges, box culvert extensions, retaining walls, ramps, storm drainage, grading, graded aggregate base (GAB) placement, asphalt paving, concrete flatwork, traffic signal installation and more.
- I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor project, a transformative design-build regional mobility initiative that consisted of building 30 miles of reversible toll lanes and the construction of bridges and walls.
- Gwinnett County SPLOST Road Program, a program that is designed to support the county’s growing population and address its infrastructure needs.
Together, these projects not only improve travel efficiency but they are also enhancing safety, reducing congestion and supporting economic vitality for millions of commuters across the region.
Safeguarding Quality on One of Georgia’s Busiest Interchanges
In his current role on the I-285/I-20 East Interchange project — one of the most complex transportation upgrades in the state — Francis helps guide construction quality across a highly coordinated, fast-paced environment. Once complete, the project will significantly improve traffic flow and safety at what has long been considered one of metro Atlanta’s most congested bottlenecks.
Construction Quality Assurance on a project of this scale requires constant field engagement and disciplined oversight. Francis supports alignment between design intent and field execution, adherence to safety and performance standards and early identification of issues that could affect long-term durability or public access. His role focuses on translating plans and specifications into built infrastructure that performs as intended for the traveling public.
A Commitment to Growth, Learning and Leadership
With more than 33 years of roadway and bridge construction experience, Francis brings a leadership philosophy shaped by experience and adaptability. One lesson guides every project: similar challenges rarely have identical solutions. Effective engineering requires context-driven judgment and responsiveness to site-specific conditions.
That mindset also defines how Francis leads and mentors others. Grateful for the guidance he received early in his career, he places high value on supporting the next generation of engineers. To him, leadership is not about titles — it is about integrity, ownership and a commitment to the communities served.
Through his technical expertise and principled approach to leadership, Francis’ work helps bridge critical gaps:
- Between design and construction.
- Between immediate needs and long-term resilience.
- Between infrastructure systems and the people who rely on them.
By aligning design intent with real-world execution, he helps close the distance between vision and impact — reinforcing the idea that infrastructure is not only about concrete and steel, but about lived experience.
Connecting in the Field: Meet Francis at the TDOT-ACEC Partnering Conference
This May, Francis Mouafong will share real-world insights from one of Georgia’s most complex transportation projects at the 2026 TDOT-ACEC Partnering Conference, taking place May 11-13.
Francis will discuss his work on the $685 million GDOT I-285/I-20 East Interchange Project, focusing on the practical realities of supporting Independent Quality Firm (IQF) services on large-scale, multi-partner transportation programs. Attendees will gain perspective on maintaining independent construction quality assurance, coordinating across stakeholder teams and aligning plans, specifications and field conditions as construction progresses.
His session will highlight how strong collaboration and disciplined quality management contribute to safe, durable infrastructure — lessons that continue to shape transportation projects across the region.
Francis Mouafong, P.E., MBA
Senior Project Manager
Francis Mouafong, P.E., MBA is a Senior Project Manager at Atlas. He currently serves as the Construction Quality Assurance Manager on Georgia’s I-285/I-20 East Interchange project. With more than 33 years of experience working on roadway and bridge construction projects, Francis has contributed to the Clayton County and Gwinnett County resurfacing programs and Gwinnett County’s Capital Improvements Program. He received his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Yaounde in Cameroon and his Master of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University in 2013.