Jessica Williams, Senior Project Engineer

My name is Jessica Williams I’m a Senior Project Engineer. I have been with Swinerton for eight years.

Professional Journey

As a senior project engineer my days are filled providing support to our field team and management. Digging into the details of my projects and processing and maintaining our project documents. Building and cultivating relationships with our subcontractors, clients and design teams. My position has also allowed me to be hands on and get into the field and understand what is being built.  

Pursuing Career in Construction

I grew up being surrounded in construction. My father was a union iron worker, which extended three generations. My father was also an advocate for the trades, and with some pushing he talked me into pursuing a career in the electrical industry. I began my journey as an electrical stockman with IBEW Local 46. I spent three and a half years getting the opportunity to work on a large job in downtown Bellevue. I gained a vast amount of knowledge, experience, and met my husband. During this time the economy was knee deep in a recession. I made it 2/3 of the way through the recession and unfortunately got laid off. Even though I had a pause in my construction career, I found myself drawn to the industry and applied at Swinerton in 2016 for a project coordinator position and have been here ever since.

Challenges and Triumphs: Embracing Growth

Having been in the field and an administrative position, they both have their challenges. The field has more physically challenges, but the one main challenge is balancing a career with family responsibilities. Swinerton has provided flexible work hours, supportive leadership, and open communication about work life balance.

The Best Part about Construction

What I love most about construction is seeing the results. There’s a unique satisfaction in watching a project evolve from the ground up. The process of transforming plans into something physical and lasting is incredibly rewarding. I also love the hands-on that construction offers.

I have had the pleasure to gain a couple amazing mentors. These people have inspired me to be the best I can be while also pushing me out of my comfort zone to grow.

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Construction is not just for men. Embrace whatever path you want to take in the industry. Stay confident, ask a lot of questions, and be passionate about your career in construction.

Professional Growth

Swinerton has provided me with the opportunity to grow my career by encouraging me to go back to school. I enrolled at the University of Washington four years ago and obtained my construction management certificate. Swinerton has also fostered a supportive work environment and is continually helping me develop skills for my current and future roles.

I had the opportunity to be apart of a large hotel project at the beginning of my PE career. This project had many challenges and lessons learned. The most rewarding part about this project is that it turned out to be a spectacular building and I can look at it and be proud to say that I helped build it.

Mass Timber: Innovation, Sustainability, and the Future of Building

Mass timber construction is exciting for several reasons, mainly because it brings innovation, sustainability, and new design possibilities to the world of construction.

Empowering Women in Construction

It’s a reminder of the ongoing work that still needs to be done to create more opportunities and encourage young women to consider construction careers.