As part of National Engineers Week, we’re excited to highlight Brendan Sheppard, a Senior Project Manager, Pre-construction from Schnabel’s Atlanta office. Brendan’s work focuses on managing complex projects and leading business development activities.

What Inspired Brendan to Become a Civil Engineer?

Brendan’s passion for construction and design led him to pursue a career in civil engineering. As he explains:
“I’ve always enjoyed construction and understanding how structures are designed and built.”

Brendan’s Favorite Project

Brendan has had the privilege of working on projects across the globe, making it difficult to pick just one favorite. Some of his notable projects include:

  • A floodwall in Jakarta
  • A marina in Costa Rica
  • Bridge and retaining wall projects throughout the US & Canada
  • Several projects across the Caribbean

What he enjoys most is the variety of projects and the opportunity to work in different locations. Each new challenge keeps him inspired and engaged in his work.

Key Skills for a Civil Engineer

As an experienced senior project manager, Brendan emphasizes the following key skills for any aspiring civil engineer:

  • Designing with Constructability in Mind: Ensuring designs are also feasible in real-world applications.
  • Effective Communication Skills: Being able to convey ideas clearly and collaborate with diverse teams.
  • Field Experience: Spending time in the field helps develop invaluable hands-on skills that complement office work.

Brendan believes that gaining field experience early on is crucial for engineers to build a well-rounded skill set.

If Brendan Weren’t a Civil Engineer…

If he hadn’t pursued a career in civil engineering, he would likely have gone into finance

Advice for Future Engineers

Brendan offers this advice to young engineers just starting their careers:
“Spend as much time in the field as you can early on in your career.”

This hands-on experience will help you develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of the field.

Join Us in Celebrating Engineers Like Brendan

At Schnabel, we are proud of our engineers like Brendan who drive the future of civil engineering. If you’re interested in exploring opportunities with us, check out our careers page to check out all our openings.