We caught up with Atlas’ Chief Growth Officer Harshal Desai to learn how Atlas is celebrating Engineers Week. He shares what inspired him to pursue an engineering career and why he feels passionate about encouraging students to consider a career in engineering.

was founded more than half a century ago by the to honor the important role engineering plays in our lives, as well as inspire the next generation of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) professionals. And now, this special week gives us an opportunity to recognize the people behind the iconic projects that are transforming our communities and the world.

This year, Engineers Week is being celebrated February 22-28, and Atlas is excited to participate by shining a light on some of the individuals who are making a difference in our company and the communities where they live and work. The theme, “Transform Your Future,” highlights how engineering not only shapes our world, but also new opportunities, our communities and the futures we imagine for ourselves and for future generations.

We’re kicking off the week by highlighting how since joining Atlas, Harshal has mentored young minds to help them conceptualize and model cities of the future, using engineering as a tool to spark curiosity, creativity and problem-solving.

Alongside the engineering excellence that has been central to your success, you also understand the importance of developing best-in-class talent, which includes inspiring future engineering leaders. In your spare time, how are you inspiring students to love engineering?

For years, I have volunteered with middle schools, helping students with the , an educational program that brings STEAM to life for students in grades 6 through 12. The competition challenges students to envision ways they can make the world a better place by designing a city 100 years in the future.

This year’s competition challenged students to design a city that eliminates food waste from farm to table and keeps citizens healthy and safe. I see so much value from this competition because it goes beyond just engineering. It fosters imagination, societal problem-solving and multidisciplinary thinking. The students gain experience with engineering, but also hone their writing, presentation, math, science, art, history and geography skills too. A couple of years ago, my daughter’s team made it to the national competition in Washington, D.C. Schools from across the country, as well as international students, participated. It was an energetic environment and gave the students an opportunity to not only explore all the educational museums the city offers, but a great venue to socialize and learn from the other contenders.

Mentoring students has been incredibly rewarding to me, and it reinforces the importance of encouraging curiosity and interest in engineering early on.

What advice can you offer aspiring engineers or young engineers looking to advance their career?

Early in your career, focus on building credibility through strong technical skills by working on multi-disciplinary, complex projects and consistently do what you say you will do. As you advance, soft skills—working with others, connecting the dots and learning from different perspectives—can help open new opportunities. Stay curious, meet people and absorb as much as you can.

Why did you want to become an engineer? Did you have a special mentor that you emulated your career on?

Both of my parents were doctors, and while I was not interested in pursuing a medical degree, I was interested in science. Engineering was a good fit for me because it provides strong analytical skills that can be applied in a variety of careers.

How does your engineering background support your current role in business development?

My civil engineering background gives me a practical lens for business management. It helps me understand problems at their root, ask better questions and engage credibly with both clients and project teams. Having worked across all phases of projects—from planning to construction—has helped me focus on solutions that are practical, technically sound and aligned with client goals. That foundation builds trust and keeps conversations centered on outcomes, not just opportunities or sales.

How do you see engineers making a difference at Atlas?

What stands out to me about engineers at Atlas is how hungry and humble they are. They’re committed to learning, put the customer first and bring strong practical experience to everything they do. Many of our engineers have deep construction and field backgrounds, so they understand how things get built—not just how they’re designed. In addition, we provide several mission‑critical services, including environmental, materials and geotechnical engineering. These capabilities are highly transferable across markets—from transportation and water to data centers—creating meaningful growth opportunities for Atlas and our A‑Team, while continuing to deliver real value to our clients and communities.

“I was fortunate to have a lot of women in my life who were very successful — doctors, nurses, a lawyer. My mom started out as an accountant and now she’s a COO. I saw firsthand that women could excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their achievements inspired me to believe that I could make my mark as well.” – Erica Lopez Law

Erica Lopez Law, a project engineer at Atlas and the eldest of five siblings, was raised in a supportive and encouraging household. Her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, tried to push against social norms, encouraging her to pursue her ambitions, even in fields traditionally sought by men. Inspired by her parents’ mindset and the strength of the women in her extended family, Erica chose a career that allowed her to define her own journey. Learn more about Erica’s path to engineering in this story.

Growing up in the suburbs of Burbank, California, Erica Lopez was born with a natural curiosity and sense of adventure. As the oldest of five children, her desire for independence and a chance to carve her own path grew as she got older.

Math and science seemed to come naturally, and Erica’s parents spurred her passion through participation in activities such as summer math camps, fostering a love for science and engineering.

In high school, Erica’s interest in engineering solidified. Chemistry and physics classes sparked a genuine fascination, and a summer engineering survey class introduced her to different engineering disciplines. Civil engineering stood out to Erica, combining the physics she loved with real-world applications.

The clarity she gained guided her college applications, and Erica pursued civil engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering. She chose to specialize in infrastructure materials engineering for her master’s after enjoying her work as an undergraduate research assistant in concrete and asphalt.

As she reflects back now, Erica shares that her decision to attend UT Austin would shape her future in ways she could never have imagined. Although she enjoyed her time as a student in Texas, she was ready for a move to the Rockies. Colorado, with its stunning landscapes and abundance of outdoor activities, called to her. She talked with representatives from Atlas at a college career fair.

“I expressed my desire to move to Denver, and serendipitously, they told me they had a lab in Lakewood.” Erica recalls. “After a series of conversations and interviews, Atlas offered me a position, and I made the move to Colorado three years ago.”

Erica is a project engineer at Atlas, where she handles land development projects, ensuring proper site grading, drainage and erosion control. She started with the company in the materials testing lab, gaining hands-on experience with construction materials. Her future plans are to combine her technical expertise with people and project management skills.

“Engineering offers diverse career paths, and I believe in defining my own journey,” Erica says.

Growing up, Erica was surrounded by smart, strong and accomplished women, and that played a crucial role in shaping her aspirations.

“I was fortunate to have a lot of women in my life who were very successful — doctors, nurses, a lawyer. My mom started out as an accountant and now she’s a COO,” says Erica. “I saw firsthand that women could excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. Their achievements inspired me to believe that I could make my mark as well.”

Erica says having family backing was key to her success.

“I’m grateful for my parents’ guidance and support. I realize now that my path to engineering was influenced significantly by my family,” says Erica. “As immigrants from the Philippines, my parents instilled in me the importance of a stable and successful career.”

Erica passed the Professional Engineering exam earlier this year and will be going through the application process to receive her license in the next couple of months. Her advice to engineering students is to stay focused and remember that the effort will pay off. Studying for the PE is challenging, but perseverance and dedication made it worthwhile.

When she’s not working, you can find Erica outside, enjoying all Colorado has to offer. She loves to hike, and one of her goals is to hike all of Colorado’s 14ers — those are the mountain peaks in the state that are more than 14,000 ft. above sea level. In total, there are 58.

“I’m about halfway complete and plan to spend my summer hiking and camping,” says Erica.

The outdoors can bring on all kinds of inspiration, even inspiration in engineering.

“The natural environment and its integration with human-made infrastructure fascinate me. Driving through Glenwood Canyon in Colorado, I marvel at the harmony between engineering and nature,” she says. “Civil engineering intertwines with the natural world, reminding us to be mindful of the environment. We can’t just build anywhere; we must be respectful of the earth.”

Finally, Erica offers this advice to young professionals: “Say ‘yes’ to opportunities. When I was offered a chance to take on the office safety officer role, I initially hesitated, but it brought unexpected learning experiences and growth. Embrace new paths and be open to opportunities — they can lead to incredible journeys.”

Did Erica’s story inspire you to start your next journey? Come join us at Atlas!