Engineers Week 2025

The procurement for a project we recently won spanned roughly three years before it was awarded. Projects of this magnitude take an intensive effort and require a diverse and experienced team to innovate and adapt to a changing environment. I worked alongside some of the most talented individuals to earn this win for Atlas. 

Embrace not knowing the answers, as engineering often presents problems you’ve never encountered before, and the rewarding journey of learning and developing solutions is what makes the experience truly fulfilling. 

Technology is making engineering safer, more durable, and more efficient. When I was working at UTEP, I developed an algorithm to optimize a predictive model for pavement performance. At the time, the computer’s processing power was so limited that it would have taken 88 years to find the solution. Today, with modern laptops, I can run the same algorithm over a weekend. 

Applying new techniques to projects. Atlas has some of the brightest minds utilizing cutting–edge methods that will address challenges of tomorrow.

 One project I’m particularly proud of is the implementation of video analytics technology for wrong-way driver detection for the Illinois Tollway. This project involved several phases, including analysis, design, integration, pilot, and final implementation. I was actively involved in the entire lifecycle, which gave me a comprehensive understanding of each stage. First, we conducted a safety analysis of wrong-way driving incidents and examined the features of such incidents on the Tollway routes. Based on this analysis, we researched best practices for wrong-way driver detection and response tailored to the specific needs of the Tollway. After evaluating various solutions, video analytics was recommended as the most effective approach. My role included coordinating with developers and Tollway staff to ensure the successful integration of this technology, ultimately improving operational efficiency and safety on the routes. This project not only showcased the potential of emerging technologies but also highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering impactful transportation solutions.

Give yourself every opportunity to gain exposure to real projects. Get hands-on experience and learn to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. 

I hope technology can make engineering work more efficient, but it can also bring new challenges. Engineers must not only understand technology, but also learn the best way to leverage it. 

We are seeing a growing trend of interdisciplinary collaboration. For example, network engineers are now working more closely with transportation engineers due to the rise in connected vehicles. As the field evolves, we can expect more cross-discipline cooperation in engineering. 

One of my favorite projects in my career has been the University of Idaho’s CAFE Research Dairy in Rupert, Idaho. As a proud alumnus of the University of Idaho, it was an incredible honor to work on this project. The research dairy will eventually become the largest research dairy in the nation. I had the opportunity to travel back to my old campus and participate in early on design meetings. During our investigation, I provided the engineering team with detailed logs, maps, and recommendations for the area’s highly variable soil and rock profiles.  

Study hard and get good grades, but don’t forget to spend time with your friends and family as well! A significant part of the job involves talking with other engineers, architects, developers, and owners. Communication is key in this industry; I am grateful for the opportunity to practice these skills in high school and college. 

Technology is becoming increasingly user-friendly and accessible to engineers, significantly enhancing our efficiency and communication capabilities. The integration of AI and other emerging technologies into our daily tasks allows us to process information more swiftly and deliver recommendations to our clients faster than ever before.

I am thrilled about upcoming projects and the innovative approaches we can adopt with new technologies and engineering methods. As projects grow larger and more complex, they require advanced tools and highly skilled engineers to manage them effectively. This generation of engineers has the opportunity to refine these methods and deepen our understanding of the soils engineering discipline.

I’ve been proud to be part of many projects, with the most recent being a roundabout project in Georgia. Roundabouts are a relatively new intersection design in Georgia requiring special attention to design elements such as the deflection of approach legs, sight distance analysis and truck operations. This project was particularly rewarding as it involved overcoming several challenges, including performing new analyses and design checks, all while needing to complete the layout and report on time and within budget.

I would recommend focusing developing analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.  Curiosity and teamwork are essential for engineers, regardless of their field of interest. Curiosity drives the desire to identify potential issues and explore new approaches, while teamwork brings together diverse skills and knowledge to solve problems effectively.

I believe artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool in engineering design. AI can generate a broader range of possibilities and alternatives during the design process, while also automating quality control to ensure designs meet standards. This will ultimately accelerate the design process and improve efficiency, both in terms of time and budget.

I believe advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and 3D printing will play a critical role in sustainable infrastructure development in the near future. AI has the potential to analyze multiple alternatives, optimize designs and automate quality control processes to improve efficiency. Robotics and 3D printing could revolutionize construction by reducing waste, enhancing safety through automation in hazardous environments and accelerating project completion. These advancements will ultimately improve quality of life by developing better transportation systems and more accessible infrastructure. 

We were recently awarded an emergency laboratory testing contract with a client who had been unable to conduct testing for two months.  Within a week of receiving the bid request, we mobilized a team of 20 laboratories across the country to cover a comprehensive scope of testing, including aggregate, asphalt binder, emulsion, concrete, structural steel, elastomeric materials, cement, and chemicals. As the Contract Manager, I led this diverse team and within two months we completed thousands of tests, eliminated the backlog, and kept projects moving forward.  

Take advantage of opportunities early, put in the extra work, and take time to learn the people side of the business. Many of us are drawn to engineering because of our skills in math and science, but it’s the combination of technical abilities with often-overlooked soft skills that allows us to provide the best services to our clients. 

Technology is providing us with significantly more data about the built environment, transforming how we design, build, test, and maintain infrastructure. It’s ushering us into a world of big data, creating connections across the project lifecycle—from design through construction and maintenance. This will enhance asset management programs, allowing them to inform design, specifications, and construction, validate performance relationships, and ultimately lead us to more efficient designs and performance-based specifications.

As we move towards Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Infrastructure and other big data applications, I’m excited to see how the data will enhance our ability to design, build, and manage our infrastructure assets more efficiently. 

We recently secured a contract with a major airline   to support Construction Material Testing and Special Inspection services for three projects in Houston, Texas. Our success was driven by strategic collaboration with the local small business community, allowing us to assemble a strong, highly qualified team.  A testament to our team’s dedication and execution is the positive feedback from the airlines’ Technical Operations Distribution Center Project Manager, who shared: 

“Ashish, It’s awesome to see us at this point in Phase 1. I appreciate the work you and your team have done so far.” 

“Teachers build nations, and engineers shape its future.” Engineers play a critical role in the development and progress of society. It’s a rewarding profession where you can hone your creativity and problem-solving skills to address the challenges faced by clients and communities. If you enjoy collaboration, working in a team environment, and are excited about solving real-world problems, engineering is a great profession for applying your skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact. 

Engineering is a broad field that integrates problem-solving, technical expertise, and creativity to develop solutions that enhance quality of life. As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, engineers are at the forefront of this revolution, leveraging digital tools to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across industries. 

Advancements in technology are breaking down barriers to global collaboration. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a client in Spain could oversee the construction of a facility in Dallas, Texas, in real-time—something otherwise hindered by travel restrictions at the time. 

Engineers are also shaping the future of critical sectors. Electrical and biomedical engineers are pioneering medical technologies that are transforming healthcare in the 21st century. Civil engineers are designing resilient cities with sustainable infrastructure that supports mobility, commerce and environmental health while minimizing the impact of natural disasters. 

By harnessing technology, engineers are not just solving today’s challenges—they are creating a smarter, more sustainable and more connected world for future generations. 

When I was growing up, I would often watch my dad working with a calculator and blueprints, and I could never have imagined how far technology would take us. Today, smartphones and tablets provide real-time information at our fingertips, something we now carry with us during field assignments. Engineers have always played a pivotal role in advancing civilization, and I truly believe that their contributions will continue to shape our world in ways we can’t even envision today. What excites me most is knowing that the best of engineering’s impact on humanity is yet to come. 

We provided engineering services for a large substation expansion project, designing approximately 1.75 miles of underground 9-6” conduit duct bank infrastructure, which included a 30” steel encasement across Beltway 8. Having previously designed various projects for our client, I was able to apply my past experiences to this large-scale project and successfully lead our team through the design and permitting stages to meet our client’s needs.  

Get involved in school engineering societies, never be afraid to ask questions, and start building your network.  

I believe that we are still in the era where computers are the driving force behind the future of engineering. I can’t imagine being an engineer at a time when everything was hand drawn, erased, and redrawn. Computer aided design programs continue to evolve and it’s great to see new features and add-ons being developed.  

My excitement for the future is centered around what I experience every day—underground utility design and subsurface utility engineering. As engineering and construction methods continue to advance, they have a significant impact on the designs we can achieve. This progress will allow us to explore new possibilities, improve efficiency, and create more sustainable solutions.