Jake A.

- Title: Structural Engineer
- Alma Mater: Bachelor of Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
- Hobbies: I enjoy weightlifting, hiking, tennis, and car restoration.
I chose to pursue a career as a Structural Engineer because…
The thing I love most about my job is…
I love getting to see something new almost every day and working with so many great people.
My favorite thing about TranSystems is…
Being able to get involved in a wide variety of projects and having the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of engineering.
Since joining TranSystems…
I have gained a bunch of bridge inspection experience and knowledge as well as improving technical writing skills.
5:45 AM – Start the day with a workout before logging on
I usually wake up around 5:45 a.m. and go to the gym to work out. Once I get home, I grab a cup of coffee and log on by 8 a.m. If it is an office day I will head downtown straight from the gym and be settled at my desk by 8 a.m. as well. I usually first check emails and create a checklist of things to accomplish for the day. If we are inspecting a bridge, we usually gear up at 8 a.m. and work through the day.
8:00 AM – Dive into bridge inspection project work
I am currently assisting with a railroad bridge inspection report in the office and inspecting a concrete arch and steel arch bridge near the Cleveland area.

10:00 AM – Team meeting
We typically have weekly team meetings when in the office to discuss what everyone is working on and any upcoming work. If we are in the field, we will have a morning safety meeting every day.
12:00 PM – Working lunch
I will typically work through lunch both when in the field and in the office.
1:00 PM – Project GROW meeting
Attend monthly Project GROW meeting if I am not working in the field.
2:00 PM – Continuing to-do list
Most of the time I am either performing bridge inspections or writing inspection reports.

4:30 PM – Log off and get outside
I will usually stop working around 4:30. Once I am logged off, I usually take our puppy outside and run around in the yard for a while before heading inside to work on home improvement projects. Then I will prepare dinner and settle down with some Netflix or HBO Max for the rest of the evening.
Coming up
In late September, I’m excited to get started working on a Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) contract to inspect some bridges near Baltimore.
What’s next?
I am aiming to hopefully attend the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) training course at some point next year to be able to inspect bridges using rope access techniques! I have also just become a member of the Association of Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD) but have not yet attended any events.