S&B Engineers Talk Impact for Engineers Week

Solving What Matters, Together

Engineering is more than technical execution. It is accountability, collaboration and a commitment to delivering safe, reliable solutions that perform in the real world. In recognition of National Engineers Week, S&B highlights several engineers across disciplines about what drives them, what challenges them and what makes S&B a great place to build a career.

Problem solving

For many engineers, the path begins with an interest in math and science, but it quickly evolves into something more dynamic.

“I’ve always loved math and science,” said Austin Hodges, S&B process specialist. “But what you’re really doing every day is solving problems.”

Hodges supports system design from early development through detailed engineering. He describes process engineering as looking at “what’s inside the pipe,” ensuring plants operate safely, efficiently and aligning with customer expectations. “Process is typically one of the first disciplines in and one of the last disciplines out,” Hodges said. “We help make sure the plant actually does what it’s supposed to do.”

Molly Ruggles, S&B process engineer, said that the variety of challenges is what makes engineering rewarding. “I wouldn’t say that I have the same day twice,” she said. “What I enjoy most is solving problems. We always have something that needs to be figured out, whether it’s hydraulics, controls or helping move the project forward.”

Meaningful impact

Engineering impacts nearly every aspect of modern life. The facilities S&B’s engineers design and deliver support critical processes and infrastructure across the industry. As a result, many engineers find that the most rewarding moment comes when a project transitions from design to reality. “One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing what was on paper actually mean something in real life,” Hodges said.

Marianne Blount, control system specialist, agreed. “To see our control system actually opening and closing a valve; that’s my favorite part.”

Collaboration remains key 

Across every discipline, collaboration proves essential.

“My focus is on instrumentation and controls scope for major projects and collaborating with other disciplines,” said Arthur Williams, S&B’s lead Instruments and electrical engineer.

Williams emphasized the importance of integration and alignment across process, mechanical, electrical and project management teams to ensure that decisions made early in design are carried consistently through execution and into the project’s lifecycle. 

Blount said that collaboration remains central to her work. “What I enjoy most in my day-to-day job is working with all of the other disciplines and coming together to find solutions”. 

This kind of coordination helps teams stay aligned and keeps projects moving safely and efficiently.

Accountability and safety 

Engineering comes with responsibility. Leaders entrust engineers with meaningful roles, guiding customer discussions, developing specifications, supporting commissioning and applying lessons learned to future projects. That ownership drives both professional growth and project success. Ruggles said that every team member plays a vital role. “There’s no individual role that isn’t important to the success of our projects,” she said. “If we’re spending time on it, it matters.”

Safety remains the highest priority in every discipline. “We’re always safety focused,” Ruggles said. “That’s the number one priority for us and for the people who will operate the plant after we’re done.”

Advice for the next generation

When asked for advice to aspiring engineers, the consistent message of work hard, stay curious and be kind persisted. Hodges emphasized being ready to work diligently and treating everyone with kindness, while Williams stressed the importance of staying open-minded and prepared for challenges. As Blount put it, "Just keep going. If I can do it, you can do it."

S&B engineers solve meaningful problems, support customers and contribute to something larger. Through collaboration, accountability and a commitment to safety and excellence, S&B engineers continue to build solutions that last— that work is worth celebrating.

To learn more about S&B careers, visit https://www.sbec.com/Careers/